SS William Patterson

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History
United States
NameWilliam Patterson
NamesakeWilliam Patterson
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorA.H. Bull & Co., Inc.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 48
Awarded14 March 1941
BuilderBethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland[2]
Cost$1,063,819[1]
Yard number2035
Way number9
Laid down29 April 1942
Launched26 June 1942
Sponsored byMiss Gladys Mitchell
Completed13 July 1942
Refitconverted to EC2-G-8g, 14 September 1957
Identification
Fate
United States
NameWilliam Patterson
OwnerMilitary Sea Transportation Service
OperatorLykes Brothers Steamship Co., Inc.
Cost$1,857,999 (refit cost)
Acquired14 September 1957
In service14 September 1957
Out of service23 March 1961
Fate
  • Laid up in the Hudson River Reserve Fleet, Jones Point, New York, 23 March 1961
  • Sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, withdrawn from fleet, 1 January 1971
General characteristics
Class and type
TypeEC2-G-8g (1955-) (refit)
Tonnage
Displacement
Length
  • 441 ft 6 in (134.57 m) oa
  • 467 ft 3 in (142.42 m) oa (refit)
Beam57 feet (17 m)
Draft27 ft 9.25 in (8.4646 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed
  • 11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
  • 15.4 kn (28.5 km/h; 17.7 mph) (refit trial)
Capacity
  • 562,608 cubic feet (15,931 m3) (grain)
  • 499,573 cubic feet (14,146 m3) (bale)
Complement
Armament
NotesNew cargo handling gear installed during refit

SS William Patterson was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after William Patterson, a businessman, a gun-runner during the American Revolution, and a founder of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Construction[edit]

William Patterson was laid down on 29 April 1942, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 48, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; she was sponsored by Miss Gladys Mitchell, the daughter of John Mitchell, the Baltimore representative of the US Salvage Association, and was launched on 26 June 1942.[2][1]

History[edit]

She was allocated to A.H. Bull & Co., Inc., on 13 July 1942.[5]

On 23 September 1948, she was laid up in the Hudson River Reserve Fleet, Jones Point, New York. On 31 October 1949, she was withdrawn from the fleet to be loaded with grain. She returned loaded on 14 November 1949. On 2 March 1951, she was withdrawn from the fleet to have her load of grain unloaded. On 16 May 1952, she was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Wilmington, North Carolina. On 14 September 1955, she was withdrawn from the fleet for test conversion to gas generator fed gas turbine power. Bethlehem Steel, in Baltimore, performed the conversion and she was reclassified EC2-G-8g. Her hull was lengthened at the bow to 467 ft 3 in (142.42 m), and six new Cleveland Diesel Engine Division free piston gas generators, producing 1,200 hp (890 kW) each, and two reversible 3,000 shp (2,200 kW) gas turbines, connected directly to the ship's propeller through double reduction gear, were installed. The free piston generators provided moderate pressure gas which fed the gas turbines. At trials she ran 15.4 kn (28.5 km/h; 17.7 mph), above the requested 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph).[4]

After conversion she was transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service. She was operated by Lykes Brothers Steamship Co., Inc. under a bareboat charter.[4]

On 23 March 1961, she was laid up in the Hudson River Reserve Fleet, Jones Point, New York. She was sold for scrapping on 23 November 1970, to Hierros Ardes, SA., along with three other ships, for $267,070. She was removed from the fleet, 17 January 1971.[5]

References[edit]

Bibliography[edit]

  • "Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore MD". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  • Maritime Administration. "William Patterson". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  • "SS William Patterson". Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  • "Liberty ship conversion and engine improvement program : cumulative report of progress as of November 1, 1957". 1 November 1957. Retrieved 28 February 2020.