SS James H. Courts

Summary

SS James H. Courts was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after James H. Courts, a Merchant seaman killed on the cargo ship SS Expositor, 22 February 1943, when she was struck by a torpedo from German submarine U-606.[4]

History
United States
NameJames H. Courts
NamesakeJames H. Courts
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MC hull 2516
Awarded23 April 1943
BuilderSt. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, Jacksonville, Florida[2]
Cost$1,002,548[1]
Yard number80
Way number2
Laid down12 December 1944
Launched21 January 1945
Sponsored byMrs. A.H. Laney
Completed31 January 1945
FateTransferred to Greece, 31 January 1945
Greece
Name
  • Niki (1945-1949)
  • Hadiotis
OwnerKassos Steam Navigation Co., Ltd.
OperatorRethymnis & Kulukundis
FateSold, 1965
Greece
NameAchilles
OwnerCia. Nav. Tierra del Fuego
OperatorCounties Shipping, Ltd.
Fate
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

James H. Courts was laid down on 12 December 1944, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 2516, by the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, Jacksonville, Florida; she was sponsored by Mrs. A.H. Laney, the wife of the superintendent of the warehouse at St.Johns River SBC, and she was launched on 21 January 1945.[2][1]

History edit

She was transferred to Greece, under the Lend-Lease program, on 31 January 1945. She was sold for commercial use, 18 December 1946, to Kassos Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., for $575,339.53.[5]

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • "St. John's River Shipbuilding, Jacksonville FL". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 16 October 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  • Maritime Administration. "James H. Courts". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  • "SS James H. Courts". Retrieved 11 February 2020.
  • "SS Expositor". www.Uboat.net. Retrieved 11 February 2020.