SS Jonathan Elmer

Summary

SS Jonathan Elmer was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after Jonathan Elmer, an American politician and delegate to the Continental Congress three times: 1777 to 1778, 1781 to 1783, and 1787 to 1788. In 1780 and 1784 he represented Cumberland County in the New Jersey Legislative Council. The College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University) made Elmer a trustee in 1782. He served in that position until 1795. The New Jersey Legislature appointed Elmer to the United States Senate for the term of 4 March 1789 to 3 March 1791.

History
United States
NameJonathan Elmer
NamesakeJonathan Elmer
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorMarine Transport Lines, Inc.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 308
Awarded1 May 1941
BuilderBethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland[2]
Cost$1,068,439[1]
Yard number2058
Way number10
Laid down11 July 1942
Launched31 August 1942
Sponsored byMrs. Tanya Fettweis
Completed14 September 1942
Identification
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

Jonathan Elmer was laid down on 11 July 1942, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 308, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; she was sponsored by Mrs. Tanya Fettweis, the wife a yard employee, and was launched on 31 August 1942.[2][1]

History edit

She was allocated to Marine Transport Lines, Inc., on 14 September 1942. On 13 May 1946, she was laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet, Lee Hall, Virginia. On 18 September 1958, she was sold for scrapping to Bethlehem Steel Co., for $76,191. She was removed from the fleet on 2 February 1960.[4]

References edit

Bibliography edit

  • "Bethlehem-Fairfield, Baltimore MD". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  • Maritime Administration. "Jonathan Elmer". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
  • "SS Jonathan Elmer". Retrieved 5 March 2020.