SS George Weems

Summary

SS George Weems was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after George Weems, who in 1828, established steamship travel on the Rappahannock River.

History
United States
NameGeorge Weems
NamesakeGeorge Weems
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorMoore-McCormack Lines, Inc.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 918
Awarded1 January 1942
BuilderBethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland[2]
Cost$1,047,783[1]
Yard number2068
Way number16
Laid down19 August 1942
Launched26 September 1942
Sponsored byMiss Elizabeth Chew Weems
Completed7 October 1942
Identification
FateSold to Norway, 10 November 1948
Norway
NameMyken
Owner
  • Skibs A/S Mirva (1948—1950)
  • A/S Mirva & A/S Fido (1950)
  • Skibs A/S Mesna & A/S Fidelio (1951)
OperatorSimonsen & Astrup (1948—1951)
FateSold, 1951
Panama
NameCavolidi
OwnerHalieta Cia. Nav., SA
OperatorOrion Shipping & Trading Co.
FateSold, 1953
Panama
NameCocle
Owner
  • Cia Marittima Italo-Panamense (1953—1954)
  • Farwest Maritime Trading Corp. (1954—1959)
OperatorCia Marittima Italo-Panamense (1953—1959)
FateSold, 1959
Panama
NameWhite Eagle
OwnerWhite Eagle Maritime Co.
OperatorMaritime Brokers Inc.
FateSold, 1963
Greece
NameWhite Eagle
OwnerUnited White Shipping Co.
OperatorS. Livanos
FateGrounded 11 October 1966 and declared Total Loss
General characteristics [3]
Class and type
Tonnage
Displacement
Length
  • 441 feet 6 inches (135 m) oa
  • 416 feet (127 m) pp
  • 427 feet (130 m) lwl
Beam57 feet (17 m)
Draft27 ft 9.25 in (8.4646 m)
Installed power
  • 2 × Oil fired 450 °F (232 °C) boilers, operating at 220 psi (1,500 kPa)
  • 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
Propulsion
Speed11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity
  • 562,608 cubic feet (15,931 m3) (grain)
  • 499,573 cubic feet (14,146 m3) (bale)
Complement
Armament

Construction edit

George Weems was laid down on 19 August 1942, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 918, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; she was sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Chew Weems, a descendant of George Weems, and was launched on 26 September 1942.[2][1]

History edit

She was allocated to Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc., on 7 October 1942. On 10 January 1948, she was grounded at 81°1′N 18°25′E / 81.017°N 18.417°E / 81.017; 18.417 and declared a Constructive Total Loss. On 10 November 1948, she was sold and transferred to Norway. After several owner and name changes, sailing as White Eagle, she was again grounded, this time on San Clemente Island, California, at 32°55′N 118°33′W / 32.917°N 118.550°W / 32.917; -118.550, and again declared a Total Loss.[4]

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • "Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore MD". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  • Maritime Administration. "George Weems". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  • "SS George Weems". Retrieved 16 March 2020.