SS Logan Victory

Last updated
RedOakVictory-2013-07-20.jpg
Typical Victory ship
History
US flag 48 stars.svgUnited States
NameLogan Victory
Namesake Logan, Utah
OwnerWar Shipping Administration
Operator American-Hawaiian Steamship Company
Builder Permanente Metals Yard No. 1, Richmond, California
Laid downNovember 25, 1944
LaunchedJanuary 16, 1945
CompletedFebruary 6, 1945
FateSank in battle April 6, 1945, at Okinawa
General characteristics
Type Victory ship
Tonnage7,725  GRT
Length139 m (456 ft)
Beam18.9 m (62 ft)
Draft7 m (23 ft)
PropulsionWestinghouse steam turbines, single shaft, 8,500  hp (6,300 kW)
Speed17.5 knots (32.4 km/h) maximum sustained, 21 knots emergency
Range12,500  nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement
  • 62 Merchant Marine and 28 US Naval Armed Guards as Victory ship.
  • 358 officers and men
Armament
Notes [1]

SS Logan Victory was a cargo Victory ship built for World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The Logan Victory was launched January 16, 1945, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California and completed on February 6, 1945. She was operated by the American-Hawaiian Steamship Company under the United States Maritime Commission. [2]

Contents

World War II

SS Logan Victory steamed from San Francisco, California on February 18, 1945, to join the Pacific War efforts. Logan Victory had the job of delivering 6,000 pounds (2,700 kg) of ammunition for troops in the Pacific during World War II to Naval Base Okinawa. The ship steamed to Okinawa for the Battle of Okinawa that lasted from April 1 to 6, 1945. On April 6, 1945, she was anchored off Kuba Island, just off Tokashiki Island and Aka Island near Okinawa. USS Strategy shot down a kamikaze attack plane coming at the fleet. Although the plane was hit with gunfire and caught on fire, it banked and hit the superstructure of Logan Victory at 4:47PM. The ship burst into flames and the fire grew. All of her lifeboats were lowered into the sea and the order was given to abandon ship 10 minutes after the kamikaze hit. Her cargo caught fire and the ammunition caused a large explosion. She sank quickly at 26°10′N127°16′E / 26.167°N 127.267°E / 26.167; 127.267 . In the explosion twelve of her civilian crew and three of her armed guards were killed, including the ship's captain, Edson Baxter Cates. [3] In the same attack the landing ship tank USS LST-447 sank. Just after this attack SS Hobbs Victory, also loaded with 6,000 pounds of ammunition was hit and sank. SS Pierre Victory was able to shoot down one plane and move away from the burning ships. All these ammunition ships: SS Logan Victory, SS Hobbs Victory, SS Pierre Victory and USS LST-447 used their deck guns and were able to stop some of the kamikaze planes from attacking. The Victory ships used their 50 caliber guns, 20 mm Oerlikon cannons and at longer ranges the larger 5-inch guns. The LST also had 20 mm Oerlikon cannon to use against the attackers. These ships with over 18,000 pounds of ammunition were sent to an anchorage off Kuba Island, so they would not be anchored next to the other fleet ships. They were to be called in as needed to resupply the fleet and shore troops. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Logan Victory, one of three Victory ships lost to kamikazes during the invasion of Okinawa, diminished the supplies of the invasion fleet. The three Victory ships were carrying a total of 24,000 tons (54 million pounds) of ammunition. This including most of the 81 mm mortar shells needed for the invasion.

The ammunition ship SS Saginaw Victory arrived April 12, 1945, at Okinawa to replace the ammunition lost on the Victory ships. More ammunition ships were not needed as the war came to an end without the invasion of Japan, called Operation Downfall. [12] Logan Victory was one of forty-seven ships sunk by kamikaze attack during World War II. The other ammunition ship at Okinawa was the SS Berea Victory [13] [14]

Honors

Crew of the Naval Armed Guard on SS Logan Victory earned "Battle Stars" in World War II for war action during the assault and occupation of Okinawa from April 26 to May 8, 1945. She used her deck guns to defend herself and other ship in action. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Gilliam</i> Attack transport ship sunk at Bikini atoll

USS Gilliam (APA-57), named for Gilliam County in Oregon, was the lead ship in her class of attack transports serving in the United States Navy during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ammunition ship</span> Warship specially configured to carry ammunition

An ammunition ship is an auxiliary ship specially configured to carry ammunition, usually for naval ships and aircraft. An ammunition ship's cargo handling systems, designed with extreme safety in mind, include ammunition hoists with airlocks between decks, and mechanisms for flooding entire compartments with sea water in case of emergencies. Ammunition ships most often deliver their cargo to other ships using underway replenishment, using both connected replenishment and vertical replenishment. To a lesser extent, they transport ammunition from one shore-based weapons station to another.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attack transport</span> United States Navy ship classification

Attack transport is a United States Navy ship classification for a variant of ocean-going troopship adapted to transporting invasion forces ashore. Unlike standard troopships – often drafted from the merchant fleet – that rely on either a quay or tenders, attack transports carry their own fleet of landing craft, such as the landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) or Higgins boat.

<i>Haskell</i>-class attack transport US amphibious assault ship

Haskell-class attack transports (APA) were amphibious assault ships of the United States Navy created in 1944. They were designed to transport 1,500 troops and their combat equipment, and land them on hostile shores with the ships' integral landing craft.

USS <i>La Grange</i>

USS La Grange (APA-124) was a Haskell-class attack transport in service with the United States Navy from 1944 to 1945. She was scrapped in 1975.

USS <i>Rutland</i>

USS Rutland (APA-192) was a Haskell-class attack transport built and used by the US Navy in World War II. She was a Victory ship design, VC2-S-AP5. She was named after Rutland County, Vermont, USA.

USS <i>LSM(R)-190</i>

USS LSM(R)-190 was a United States Navy LSM(R)-188-class Landing Ship Medium (Rocket). She was built at Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina and was commissioned on 21 November 1944. LSM(R)-190 took part in the Battle of Okinawa from 7 April–4 May 1945. She was hit and sunk by a Japanese suicide plane on 4 May 1945 while on the radar picket line. She later received a Navy Unit Commendation for her service off Okinawa.

The SS Clovis Victory was the thirty-second Victory ship built during World War II, in 156 days under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on June 13, 1944 and completed on August 31, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2- S- AP3, hull number 27, operated by Seas Shipping Company. SS Clovis Victory served in the Pacific Ocean. Victory ships were designed to replace the earlier Liberty ships. Liberty ships were designed to be used just for WW2. Victory ships were designed to last longer and serve the US Navy after the war. The Victory ship differed from a Liberty ship in that they were: faster, longer and wider, taller, had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and had a long raised forecastle. The sponsor of the Clovis Victory was the wife of the 200th Coast Artillery's Henry Max Miller of Clovis, New Mexico. Major Miller was lost in the sinking of the SS Shinyō Maru on September 7, 1944.

SS <i>Canada Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Canada Victory was one of 531 Victory ships built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on January 12, 1944, and was completed on February 28, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 93 (1009). The Maritime Commission turned her over to a civilian contractor, the Alaska SS Company, for operation.

SS <i>Hobbs Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Hobbs Victory was a cargo Victory ship built for World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. Hobbs Victory, was launched on January 9, 1945 by Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California and completed on January 9, 1945. She was built in just 87 days. She was operated by the Sudden & Christenson for the United States Maritime Commission.

SS <i>Rutland Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Rutland Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was built and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on May 9, 1944, and completed on May 29, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 104 (1020). The ship was Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation's 20th victory ship. The Maritime Commission turned it over for Merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the United States Lines.

SS <i>Elmira Victory</i> Victory ship of World War II

SS Elmira Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was built and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on May 12, 1944 and completed on May 31, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 105 (1021). The ship was Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation's 21st victory ship. The Maritime Commission turned it over for Merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Isthmian Steamship Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after the city of Elmira, New York.

SS <i>Bozeman Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Bozeman Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was built and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on December 9, 1944 and completed on February 17, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 151 (1205). She was built in just 106 days. The Maritime Commission turned it over for Merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Alaska SS Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after the city of Bozeman, Montana.

SS <i>Cuba Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

SS Cuba Victory was built and operated as Victory ship class cargo ship which operated as a cargo carrier in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War.

SS <i>Saginaw Victory</i> Victory ship built during World War II

The SS Saginaw Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was laid down and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, and completed on February 9, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 152. The Maritime Commission turned it over for merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the Pacific-Atlantic Steamship Company under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after Saginaw, Michigan. Victory ships were designed to supersede the earlier Liberty ships. Unlike Liberty ships, Victory ships were designed to serve the US Navy after the war and to last longer. Compared to Liberty ships, Victory ships were faster, longer, wider, taller, and had a thinner stack which was set further forward on the superstructure. They also had a long, raised forecastle.

SS <i>Berea Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Berea Victory (MCV-734) was a type VC2-S-AP2 Victory-class cargo ship built for the United States during World War II. The ship was built as part of the Emergency Shipbuilding program by Permanente Metals Corporation in Yard 2 of the Richmond Shipyards in Richmond, California. Launched on 3 March 1945, the Berea Victory delivered supplies for the Pacific War.

SS <i>Pierre Victory</i> Victory ship of the United States

The SS Pierre Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was laid down and launched by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, and completed on February 5, 1945. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3 and hull number 150. The Maritime Commission turned it over for merchant navy operation to a civilian contractor, the United States Lines under the United States Merchant Marine act for the War Shipping Administration. She was named after Pierre, South Dakota, the capital of the US state of South Dakota. The sponsor and christening of the SS Pierre Victory on Dec. 6, 1944 was Mrs. Emma S. Jassmann of Pierre, she had five sons who served during World War II,. The city of Pierre and the Pierre Chamber of Commerce sent Mrs. Jassmann to Oregon. The Mayor of City of Pierre, John B. Griffin, was also at the christening with other Pierre residents. She was built in only 98 days. Victory ships were designed to supersede the earlier Liberty ships. Unlike Liberty ships, Victory ships were designed to serve the US Navy after the war and to last longer. Compared to Liberty ships, Victory ships were faster, longer, wider, taller, and had a thinner stack which was set further forward on the superstructure. They also had a long, raised forecastle. SS Pierre Victory survived three separate kamikaze attacks by the Japanese in 1945.

SS <i>Lewis L. Dyche</i> World War II Liberty ship of the United States

SS Lewis L. Dyche was a Liberty ship built by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation for the United States Maritime Commission during World War II. The ship was named in honor of Lewis Lindsay Dyche. Lewis Lindsay Dyche (1857–1915) was an American naturalist and also the creator of the Panorama of North American Plants and Animals, which was featured in the Kansas Pavilion at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. The ship was assigned by the War Shipping Administration, she operated by Interocean Steamship Company of San Francisco during World War II. Lewis L. Dyche was laid down on 6 November 1943, launched on 26 November 1943 and completed on 9 December 1943, with the hull No. 807 as part of the Emergency Shipbuilding Program, built is 38 days.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Okinawa</span> Major World War 2 base

Naval Base Okinawa, now Naval Facility Okinawa, is a number of bases built after the Battle of Okinawa by United States Navy on the Okinawa Island of Japan. The naval bases were built to support the landings on Okinawa on April 1, 1945, and the troops fighting on Okinawa. The Navy repaired and did expansion of the airfields on Okinawa. United States Navy Seabees built or repaired the facilities on the island. The bases on Okinawa put the United States Armed Forces only 350 miles from Japan's home islands. Most facilities closed after the war, but some are still in use today in all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

References

  1. Babcock & Wilcox (April 1944). "Victory Ships". Marine Engineering and Shipping Review.
  2. National Parks, Victory ships
  3. Chronological List of U.S. Ships Sunk or Damaged during 1945, Ships sunk or damaged during 1945 -- 182 ships
  4. SS Hobbs Victory
  5. Merchant Marine Survivors of World War II: Oral Histories of Cargo Carrying, By Michael Gillen, page 118
  6. usmm.org, Battle Pacific
  7. The American Victory
  8. Braving the Wartime Seas, By The American Maritime History Project, page 218
  9. MARINERS, THE WEBSITE OF THE MARINERS MAILING LIST
  10. American-Hawaiian Steamship Co. in WWII
  11. A Cargo Doomed to Boom, by John Laughton
  12. US Navy, Armed Guard Service
  13. "kamikaze Attackes". Archived from the original on 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  14. "47 Ships Sunk by Kamikaze Aircraft". Archived from the original on 2010-07-02. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  15. "Battle Stars" in World War II.

Sources