SS Waco Victory

Last updated
RedOakVictory-2013-07-20.jpg
Typical Victory ship
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameSS Waco Victory
Owner U.S. Maritime Commission
Operator America Mail Line
Builder California Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down12 May 1944
Launched22 July 1944
Acquired14 October 1944
Out of service1946
FateSold to Belgium, 1947
Flag of Belgium (civil).svgBelgium
NameSS Vinkt
Owner Compagnie Maritime Belge
Acquired1947
FateSold to Liberia, 1965
Flag of Liberia.svgLiberia
NameSS Hongkong Grace
Owner
  • United Transoceanic Shipping Corp. (1965—1968)
  • Universal Marine Corp. (1968—1973)
Acquired1965
FateDamaged in a collision with the SS Mina, 1973; scrapped shortly thereafter
General characteristics
Class and typeVC2-S-AP3 Victory ship
Tonnage7612 GRT, 4,553 NRT
Displacement15,200 tons
Length455 ft (139 m)
Beam62 ft (19 m)
Draught28 ft (8.5 m)
Installed power8,500  shp (6,300 kW)
PropulsionHP & LP turbines geared to a single 20.5-foot (6.2 m) propeller
Speed16.5 knots
Boats & landing
craft carried
4 Lifeboats
Complement62 Merchant Marine and 28 US Naval Armed Guards
Armament
Notes [1] [2]

The SS Waco Victory was a Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on July 22, 1944, and completed on October 14, 1944. The ship's United States Maritime Commission designation was 'VC2- S- AP3, hull number 37'. The 10,500-ton Victory ships were designed to replace the earlier Liberty Ships. Liberty ships were designed to be used just for World War II compared to Victory ships, which were designed to last longer and serve the US Navy after the war. Victory ships differed from Liberty ships in that they were faster, longer and wider, taller, had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and had a long raised forecastle.

Following World War II service, Waco Victory was sold to Belgium where she served as the SS Vinkt from 1947 to 1965. She was eventually resold to Liberia in 1965 where she served as the SS Hongkong Grace until she was damaged in a collision with the SS Mina in 1973. Deemed beyond repair, she was eventually scrapped.

Accidents and incidents

1967: Severally damaged in a collision with the SS Linda; later repaired.

1973: Severally damaged in a collision with the SS Mina; scrapped soon after.

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

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References

  1. Babcock & Wilcox (April 1944). "Victory Ships". Marine Engineering and Shipping Review.
  2. "VictoryShips". mariners-l.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2020.