SS West Kasson

After the United States entry into World War I, a large shipbuilding program was undertaken to restore and enhance shipping capabilities both of the United States and their Allies. As part of this program, EFC placed orders with nation's shipyards for a large number of vessels of standard designs. Most of these new vessels were known as the West ships as they were built by several shipyards on the West Coast of the United States and all were given names that began with the word West. Design 1019 cargo ship was among the designs adopted by USSB, and was a standard cargo freighter of approximately 8,800 deadweight tonnage designed by Theodore E. Ferris.

West Kasson was part of the order for eight vessels placed by USSB with the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co. on 10 July 1918 and was laid down on 15 October 1918 and launched on 15 March 1919 (yard number 130), with Mrs. John F. Craig, wife of John F. Craig, chairman of the board of directors of the shipbuilding company, being the sponsor.{{cite news |newspaper=Los Angeles Evening Express |date=15 March 1919 |page=9 |volume=49 |number=394 |edition=II |title=Big Steel Freighter Launched At Harbor. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109498/los-angeles-evening-express/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} The launch was witnessed by a large crowd of 3,000 shipyard employees consisting of workers and management, and approximately 2,000 spectators.{{cite news |newspaper=Long Beach Press |date=15 March 1919 |page=18 |title=Huge Steel Freighter Is Successfully Launched At Long Beach Yards Today. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109277/press-telegram/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} The vessel was launched approximately 80% complete with only her boilers and engine cylinders needed to be installed. Just as with many other vessels being built for the Shipping Board, her name was picked by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson who often chose Native American words for naming purposes.

Similar to all vessels of this class the ship had two main decks and was built on the three-island principle of ship construction. She had her machinery situated amidships and had five main holds which allowed for the carriage of a variety of goods and merchandise.{{cite book |title=Register of Ships Owned by United States Shipping Board |date=1 August 1920 |url=https://www.shipscribe.com/mercrefs/USSB_1920/pages2/West%20Henshaw%20-%20West%20Kasson.html |location=Washington, DC |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |page=107}} The vessel also possessed all the modern machinery for quick loading and unloading of cargo from five large hatches, including ten winches and eleven booms. She was also equipped with wireless apparatus and submarine signal system and had electric lights installed along the decks.

As built, the ship was {{convert|410.5|ft|m}} long (between perpendiculars) and {{convert|54.3|ft|m}} abeam, and had a depth of {{convert|27.2|ft|m}}.{{cite book |year=1922–1923 |title=Merchant Vessels of the United States |location=Washington, DC |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |page=122}} West Kasson was originally assessed at {{GRT|5937}} and {{NRT|4525}} and had deadweight tonnage of approximately 8,570. The vessel had a steel hull and a single 2,500 ihp triple expansion steam engine, with cylinders of {{convert|24+1/2|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|41+1/2|in|cm|adj=on}} and {{convert|72|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter with a {{convert|48|in|cm|adj=on}} stroke that moved the ship at up to {{convert|10.5|kn|mph km/h}}.{{cite book |year=1921–1922 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register}} The steam for the engine was supplied by three Scotch marine boilers fitted for oil fuel.

The four hour long dock trial was successfully held on 25 June 1919 after which the ship sailed to San Pedro.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=23 June 1919 |page=8 |title=To Make Trial Trip. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109666/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} The sea trials were held on June 28 in the channel just outside the harbor during which the ship performed satisfactorily.{{cite news |newspaper=The Long Beach Press |date=27 June 1919 |page=7 |title=West Kasson To Make Trial Trip Tomorrow. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109724/press-telegram/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} Following their successful completion, the ship was delivered to her owners and officially accepted by them on June 30.{{cite news |newspaper=The Marine Review |title=1919 Construction Record of U.S. Yards. |page=112 |volume=50 |number=2 |date=February 1920}}{{cite news |newspaper=Long Beach Press |date=1 July 1919 |page=14 |title=New Freighter Is Taken Over By Government. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109850/press-telegram/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}}

Following delivery to the Shipping Board, West Kasson was allocated to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, who inaugurated a round-the-world service to promote American shipping.{{cite news |newspaper=San Pedro Daily Pilot |date=30 June 1919 |page=1 |volume=6 |number=231 |title=Pacific Mail Gets Long Beach Steamer. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109799/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} The steamer then proceeded on her shakedown cruise to San Francisco for loading and arrived there on July 9. The next day the vessel was ordered to relocate for docking elsewhere and left her anchorage. During her trip West Kasson suddenly went on a spree of wild turns when the tiller apparently failed to obey the orders, and eventually the pilot was forced to order to stop the vessel and called in a tug to tow the ship to her new anchorage.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=10 July 1919 |page=21 |title=Pacific Coast Shipping News. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81110103/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} Following this incident, the Shipping Board ordered the ship to have another trial trip which was conducted on July 18 and after its successful completion the ship was again accepted by USSB.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=19 July 1919 |page=17 |title=West Kasson Accepted. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81109961/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=9 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson then loaded her cargo and departed San Francisco for Manila, Shanghai and Hong Kong on July 29.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Tribune |date=31 July 1919 |page=8 |title=The Almanac: American Ports.}} After visiting Chinese ports the steamer returned to Manila where she took on board a cargo of copra and from there proceeded to Java to load more of the same cargo and take it to Rotterdam.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=1 October 1919 |page=25 |title=Pacific Coast Shipping News: Port Notes. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81230430/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=11 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson reached her destination on November 23 and upon unloading her cargo left for Hampton Roads in ballast on December 4.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=4 December 1919 |page=10 |title=Ledger Shipping News: Foreign Ports.}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=8 December 1919 |page=10 |title=Ledger Shipping News: Foreign Ports.}} The freighter was supposed to reach United States around December 15, but was unexpectedly delayed on her journey prompting widespread speculations about her fate.{{cite news |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |date=26 December 1919 |page=13 |title=Fear Felt For Coast Ship West Kasson. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81230930/oakland-tribune/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=11 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson finally arrived at Newport News on December 29, thus successfully concluding her five month long maiden voyage.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Tribune |date=30 December 1919 |page=18 |title=The Tribune Almanac.}} Originally, the ship was supposed to stay in the Atlantic, but the high demand for cargo on the West Coast prompted the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. to send West Kasson west. She proceeded to Baltimore for loading in early January and after embarking 7,300 tons of general cargo sailed for California on 29 January 1920. After passing through the Panama Canal on February 5, the ship reached San Pedro on February 17 after largely an uneventful passage.{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |volume=XIII |number=26 |date=11 February 1920 |page=374 |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels.}}

Following successful completion of a round the world scout trip through East Asia and the Mediterranean by West Kasson, Pacific Mail Steamship Co. decided to expand this service adding more vessels to the trade route.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=28 February 1920 |page=5 |title=Round-the-World Cargo Trips Plan Of Pacific Mail. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81259268/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=11 July 2021}}{{free access}} The freighter departed San Francisco for the inaugural round-the-world trip to a variety of ports in the Far East, India and the Mediterranean on 12 March 1920.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=13 March 1920 |page=22 |title=Marine Exchange Shipping News. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81259397/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=11 July 2021}}{{free access}} She returned to Boston on July 30 bringing general cargo such as sugar from Java and cotton and skins from India to the East Coast ports.{{cite news |newspaper=The Shreveport Times |date=31 July 1920 |page=10 |title=American Steamer In World Shipping, Returns From Long Sea Trip. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81269053/the-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=11 July 2021}}{{free access}} Upon discharging part of her cargo, West Kasson loaded at Boston and proceeded to New York and Baltimore to unload and load more cargo. She left Baltimore on September 4 and after passing through the Panama Canal arrived in San Francisco on 4 October 1920 successfully completing another round the world journey covering more than 28,000 miles in the process.{{cite news |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=28 August 1920 |page=10 |title=West Kasson Ends Cruise of World.|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81304976/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |volume=XIV |number=7 |page=88 |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels. |date=29 September 1920}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Vancouver Sun |date=5 October 1920 |page=14 |title=Vessel Movements.}} West Kasson made one more round-the-world journey while under control of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., returning to Baltimore on 11 March 1921 to discharge approximately 1,000 tons of manganese ore.{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |title=Brings Manganese Ore. |date=11 March 1921 |page=34 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81308330/the-evening-sun/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} On 10 April 1921 it was reported that the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. decided to return four large vessels, including West Kasson, to the Shipping Board citing lack of cargo in all of their foreign ports of service.{{cite news |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=10 April 1921 |page=6 |title=P.M. Drops Freighters. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81308764/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} The vessel arrived at San Pedro on April 20 and then proceeded to San Francisco where she remained berthed awaiting further assignment.{{cite news |newspaper=San Pedro Daily Pilot |date=20 April 1921 |page=6 |title=Shipping News. |volume=8 |number=172}}

In June 1921 SS West Hartland who was supposed to take a large cargo of lumber to Japan collided with another steamer, SS Governor, and consequently was libeled and had to remain in port awaiting the trial. The Shipping Board dispatched West Kasson to Portland to take her place under control of the Pacific Steamship Company.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Tribune |date=19 June 1921 |title=Maritime Miscellany. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81308991/new-york-tribune/ |page=21 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} After taking on board nearly 2,700,000 feet of fir and cedar lumber, West Kasson departed Portland on 5 July 1921 bound for Japanese ports of Kobe and Yokohama.{{cite news |newspaper=The Eugene Guard |date=5 July 1921 |page=1 |title=Large Lumber Cargo For Orient Leaves Portland . |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81309144/the-eugene-guard/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} Initially, the freighter was supposed to return directly to the West Coast, however, upon arrival in Japan at the end of July the vessel was rerouted to Singapore resulting in another round-the-world trip.{{cite news |newspaper=Oregon Daily Journal |date=29 December 1921 |page=14 |title=West Kasson Is Safe At Bermuda; Being Repaired. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81315165/the-oregon-daily-journal/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson departed London for New York on 29 November 1921,{{cite news |newspaper=New York Tribune |date=1 December 1921 |page=22 |title=Marine Reports: Foreign Ports.}} however, on her way back 'she lost her propeller and was forced to put in into Bermuda on December 18 for repairs.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Herald |date=20 December 1921 |page=23 |title=Maritime Miscellany. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81315068/new-york-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=12 July 2021}}{{free access}} She spent 59 days there being repaired before departing for Mobile on 15 February 1922.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Herald |date=21 February 1922 |page=15 |title=Shipping News: Foreign Ports.}} While in Bermuda, the ship was allocated to the Mississippi Shipping Company which operated two different lines from the Gulf ports, one to Le Havre, Antwerp and Ghent and the other to the east coast of South America.

After reaching New Orleans on February 22, West Kasson proceeded to load general cargo in several Gulf ports and cleared from Charleston on 5 April 1922 bound for Antwerp and Havre.{{cite news |newspaper=New York Herald |date=6 April 1922 |page=22 |title=Ship News Of The World Continued: American Ports.}} She reached Le Havre on April 22{{cite news |newspaper=De Maasbode |date=24 April 1922 |page=3 |title=Buitenlandsche Havens.}} and after discharging her cargo sailed back to New Orleans in ballast on May 5.{{cite news |newspaper=Scheepvaart |date=5 May 1922 |page=2 |title=Buitenlandsche Havens.}} The steamer continued to operate from the Gulf ports of New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, Port of Tampa and Charleston to Havre and Antwerp through 1926. She mostly carried cotton, wheat, case oil, phosphate rock and lumber on her transatlantic travels to Low Countries, usually returning home in ballast. For example, West Kasson arrived at Tampa on 20 March 1923 to load part cargo of 3,300 tons of phosphate rock for delivery to Dunkerque.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tampa Tribune |date=21 March 1923 |page=15 |title=Daily Marine Record.}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Tampa Tribune |date=22 March 1923 |page=15 |title=Daily Marine Record.}} Incidentally, on the same day the ship was raided by local law enforcement officers who confiscated between 6 and 7 pounds of opium.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tampa Tribune |date=22 March 1923 |page=15 |title=Inspectors Find Opium On Vessel. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81467588/the-tampa-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=14 July 2021}}{{free access}} From mid 1923 through the end of 1924 she also made trips to various ports of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. For example, the ship left Port Arthur on 11 July 1923 loaded with case oil and rice bound for Buenos Aires and Montevideo.{{cite news |newspaper=Port Arthur News |date=3 July 1923 |page=10 |title=West Kasson To Load Rice.}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=20 July 1923 |page=22 |title=News Of The Ships And Shipping Men.}} On her way back from South America she usually carried various agricultural and meat products as well as coffee. For example, the freighter left Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Vitória at the end of July 1924 carrying nearly 70,000 60-kilogram bags of coffee to New Orleans.{{cite news |newspaper=Wileman's Brazilian Review |volume=15 |number=31 |page=1016 |date=30 July 1924 |title=Manifests of Coffee: Rio de Janeiro.}}{{cite news |newspaper=Wileman's Brazilian Review |volume=15 |number=32 |page=1052 |date=6 August 1924 |title=Manifests of Coffee: Victoria.}}{{cite news |newspaper=Wileman's Brazilian Review |volume=15 |number=33 |page=1085 |date=13 August 1924 |title=Manifests of Coffee: Santos.}}

Early in 1925 the vessel returned to her travels to France and Belgium and sailed from New Orleans on 1 February 1925 fully laden with wheat, lumber and case oil bound for Le Havre and Antwerp. After discharging part of her cargo in Havre, West Kasson proceeded to Antwerp. On March 1 While docked there a fire ignited in her holds which burnt for several hours but was eventually contained. The ship suffered heavy damage amidships and had her entire engine room flooded, however, most of her cargo of wheat remained undamaged and was safely unloaded once the fire was completely extinguished.{{cite news |newspaper=Rutland Daily Herald |date=2 March 1925 |page=1 |title=Ship West Kasson Afire At Antwerp. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81467921/rutland-daily-herald/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=14 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant |date=4 March 1925 |page=4 |title=Gemengd.}}{{cite news |newspaper=Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad |date=5 March 1925 |page=3 |title=Scheepstijdingen.}} After completing all necessary repairs, the vessel departed Europe on April 18 for Mobile and arrived at New Orleans in May where she was returned to the Shipping Board.{{cite news |newspaper=De Maasbode |date=2 May 1925 |title=Buitenlandsche Havens. |page=4}}

On 23 January 1926 it was reported that West Kasson together with another Shipping Board ship, SS West Inskip, was sold to W. R. Grace and Company.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=23 January 1926 |page=15 |title=Grace Buys Steamers. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81468235/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=14 July 2021}}{{free access}} W. R. Grace paid {{US$|55705|long=no}} for West Kasson and was required as part of the sale to maintain regular service between the West Coast of the United States and the West Coast of South America for five years.{{cite book |title=Merchant Marine Investigation: Hearings before The Committee On Merchant Marine, Radio, And Fisheries; House Of Representatives; First Session |publisher=United States Government Printing Office |location=Washington, DC |year=1932 |page=189}} The freighter was delivered to Grace Line in New Orleans and departed it on 18 March 1926 in ballast. After passing through the Panama Canal, she picked up part cargo of coffee and sugar in Central America and delivered it to San Francisco on April 13.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=14 April 1926 |page=24 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81667469/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |title=Examiner Shipping News. |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=17 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson then immediately sailed out north to the Puget Sound ports to load up for her upcoming trip to South America. The vessel had her new cargo booms installed in Seattle before proceeding to Tacoma area to load flour, lumber and box shooks.{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |page=11 |date=20 April 1926 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81690972/the-victoria-daily-times/ |title=Many Vessels Are Due At Seattle To Load And Discharge. |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=1 May 1926 |page=10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81691887/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |title=London Shipper To Sail Today. |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}} She left Tacoma on May 4 bound for Pisco and Chilean ports of Valparaiso and Arica.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=5 May 1926 |page=12 |title=Arrivals-Departures.}} The steamer reached her destination in mid-June and upon discharging her cargo she loaded 6,550 tons of nitrates and approximately 1,100 tons of copper ore. West Kasson then proceeded to Hawaii where she arrived on August 1 to unload her cargo of fertilizer.{{cite news |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |date=2 August 1926 |page=10 |title=Big Nitrate Cargo. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81584826/honolulu-star-bulletin/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=16 July 2021}}{{free access}} The vessel then continued to Tacoma where she arrived on August 23 to discharge ore for the local ASARCO smelter, successfully concluding her first full trip under new ownership.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=24 August 1926 |page=10 |title=Smelter Docks Busy Yesterday. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81696630/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson immediately left on her second journey loaded with flour, lumber and box shooks for Peru and Chile on 13 September 1926.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=14 September 1926 |page=48 |title=News Of Ships And Sailings In Pacific Ports. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81696796/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}} She sailed back from Callao on November 2 loaded again with nitrates and various ores. On December 6 while being off the southern coast of Mexico, West Kasson sent out a distress signal stating that she had fire in one of her forward holds but not requesting any assistance. The vessel's later messages stated that the fire was under control.{{cite news |newspaper=The Pomona Progress |date=7 December 1926 |page=1 |title=Steamer Afire Off Coast, Hear. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81697918/the-pomona-progress-bulletin/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=San Pedro Daily Pilot |page=1 |date=7 December 1926 |title=Fire Aboard West Kasson Is Subdued. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81697983/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}} Subsequently, the ship owners denied that there was any fire at all, as they claimed a chemical reaction between lead and silver ore concentrates produced fumes which were mistaken for fire.{{cite news |newspaper=The Gazette |date=8 December 1926 |page=18 |title=Str. West Kasson Not On Fire. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81698166/the-gazette/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}} West Kasson safely reached San Pedro ten days without any signs of damage, and later proceeded north to load more cargo for South America. In late November W. R. Grace decided to change the names of all of their recently acquired vessels to various Inca names, with West Kasson becoming Cuzco.{{cite news |newspaper=The Honolulu Advertiser |date=1 December 1926 |page=14 |title=Shoreside Shorts. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81697811/the-honolulu-advertiser/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=18 July 2021}}{{free access}}

The vessel continued serving roughly the same route through the end of her career with W. R. Grace. On her way down south the ship usually loaded lumber, wheat, flour and paper at various ports of the Pacific Northwest, then would proceed to San Pedro where case oil and general merchandise were loaded. On her trips up north she carried nitrates, chiefly nitrate of soda, in addition to various ores, such as copper, gold and silver. For example, in October 1929 the freighter brought into Tacomea 6,000 tons of copper ore, and in January 1932 Cuzco cleared out from the West Coast ports fully loaded with 1,500 tons of wheat, 1,500,000 feet of lumber in addition to other cargo and 250 tons of infusorial earth.{{cite news |newspaper=Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=31 October 1929 |page=9 |title=Cuzco Brings Copper Ore. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81770934/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=19 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=14 January 1932 |page=10 |title=Full Cargo. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81822523/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=19 July 2021}}{{free access}} In August 1928 W. R. Grace announced that several of their freighters will be equipped with refrigerating machinery. Cuzco was the first vessel to have such machinery installed in November of the same year, allowing her to carry approximately 250 tons of perishable goods, such as dairy products and produce.{{cite news |newspaper=The San Francisco Examiner |date=27 August 1928 |page=18 |title=Refrigerator Ship. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81762406/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} Following the installation, Cuzco was able to carry 2,300 cases of fresh eggs as well as butter and apples to Peru on one of her voyages in 1930.{{cite news |newspaper=The Long Beach Sun |date=24 March 1930 |page=7 |title=Cuzco To Carry Out Perishable Cargo. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81775263/the-long-beach-sun/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}

In 1930 Post Office Department awarded W. R. Grace a contract to carry mail to various South American destinations. This resulted in extension of company's shipping services to include extra destinations both in Chile and Peru, with Cuzco becoming the first vessel to inaugurate such mail service for the company in July 1930.{{cite news |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |date=1 May 1930 |page=34 |title=Cuzco To Carry Mail To Chile. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81775542/oakland-tribune/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=Tacoma Daily Ledger |date=12 July 1930 |page=1 |title=Mail Service Links Nations. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81776403/the-tacoma-daily-ledger/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} As part of the mail contract W. R. Grace placed an order for several new speedier vessels to take over the route. Early in 1932 the company realigned their services shifting six older ships, including Cuzco, to take over the Panama Mail Service Line route covering nearly twenty ports along the Central America and Mexico Pacific coast.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=19 March 1932 |page=7 |title=Pair Of Liners To Quit Coast. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81823031/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=7 April 1932 |page=12 |title=Control Shifted. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81823164/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} In addition, all six vessels were to make stops and pick up cargo at Vancouver and had their passenger accommodations somewhat enlarged.{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=3 May 1932 |page=16 |title=Grace Ships On B.C. Run. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81824663/times-colonist/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=17 June 1932 |page=10 |title=Grace Line To Rebuild Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81833459/news-pilot/ |access-date=20 July 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}} Cuzco departed California in June 1932 to start her new service, carrying among other cargo a repaired fishing motor boat on her deck. She also had corrals erected both aft and fore for mules to be transported between ports along her new route.{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=7 June 1932 |page=10 |title=Cuzco To Take Out Full Load. |via=newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81833354/news-pilot/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} The new service went into full effect a year later when twenty ports were added to service including Corinto and Acapulco.{{cite news |newspaper=The Tacoma News Tribune |date=12 April 1933 |page=2 |title=Grace To Invade Central America. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81835612/the-news-tribune/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}

During her career Cuzco occasionally carried unusual cargo. For example, in September 1933 the vessel delivered about 24,000 pounds of aerial bombs destined for the Armed Forces of Honduras and El Salvador, and in November 1934 she brought back approximately 500 tons of sulfur from South America to San Pedro.{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=14 September 1933 |page=4 |title=Aerial Bombs Shipped South. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81836366/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=27 November 1934 |page=5 |title=Sulphur From South America New Item. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81840108/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} In February 1939 she also transported part order of seven Northrop A-17 bombers from Northrop factory in California for the Peruvian Air Force.{{cite news |newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian |date=27 February 1939 |page=2 |title=Seven Planes Shipped. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81871754/the-bakersfield-californian/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} Even though Cuzco had limited passenger accommodations, she carried some notable people during her trips. For example, in May 1928 the vessel brought in Laura de la Puente Ganoza, one of the Peru's best dancers to study dance in Los Angeles.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=28 May 1928 |page=19 |title=Peru's Best Dancer Here For Finishing. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81759412/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=19 July 2021}}{{free access}} Similarly, in December 1934 the ship carried Willard Galbraith, a renowned diplomat, just appointed as a secretary of the US consulate in Tegucigalpa to assume his new post.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=27 December 1934 |page=2 |title=Galbraith Going To His New Post. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81841024/the-los-angeles-times/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} Following a military coup against Nicaraguan president Juan Bautista Sacasa, Cuzco was delayed in Corinto on 6 June 1936 awaiting arrival of the exiled president and twelve people from his entourage. The ship then took Sacasa to La Libertad where he disembarked on June 9.{{cite news |newspaper=Victoria Daily Times |date=6 June 1936 |page=2 |title=Liner Waits For Fleeing President. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81866943/times-colonist/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=24 June 1936 |page=2 |title=Exiled President Sails To Salvador On Cuzco. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81867376/news-pilot/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}

During her extensive career Cuzco had several mishaps. On 27 October 1935 while on one of her regular trip from San Pedro to Valparaiso, the ship went aground on Lempa shoals in Jiquilisco Bay on El Salvador's Pacific coast.{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=28 October 1935 |page=3 |title=U.S. Ship Aground Off San Salvador. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81850483/the-evening-sun/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} The vessel was heavily pounded by the waves and started to list prompting the crew to abandon her. All crew was rescued by Gulf-Pacific Mail Line steamer SS Point Ancha where they remained for the duration of salvage work. Meanwhile, a salvage steamer Merritt was dispatched from Jamaica to assist in refloating operations, and a smaller one from sent from the Panama Canal area.{{cite news |newspaper=The St. Joseph News Press |date=29 October 1935 |page=3 |title=Liner Crew Rescued. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81850843/st-joseph-news-press/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=2 November 1935 |page=24 |title=Grace Line To Try Refloating Steamer. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81851248/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} Both tugs arrived on the scene in early November and after an inspection determined the vessel's hull was intact, an attempt to refloat the grounded steamer was made. After jettisoning part of Cuzco{{'}}s deckload of lumber, she was successfully refloated on November 5 and proceeded under her own power to the Panama Canal for inspection and repairs.{{cite news |newspaper=Oakland Tribune |date=5 November 1935 |page=29 |title=Cuzco Refloated. |via=Newspapers.com |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81851472/oakland-tribune/ |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}

On 28 January 1936 Cuzco arrived in Wilmington carrying her usual cargo of nitrates, sulfur and ore concentrates. Next day the unloading started using a clamshell bucket and a crane. During the unloading, the clamshell bucket produced sparks several times when hitting the sulfur rocks, and on one occasion such spark started a fire. The burning was fueled both by sulfur and treated ore concentrates and was threatening to get out of control and destroy the ship, however, the firemen were able to deploy two fireboats in time to quickly extinguish the blaze.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=30 January 1936 |page=19 |title=Firemen Fume-Stricken In Quelling Ship Blaze. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81866087/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}

Late in 1939 the Maritime Commission (MARCOM) offered W. R. Grace to put three modern Type C2 vessels in operation between the West Coast and South America. In exchange, MARCOM was to get six World War I era steamers being operated by Grace Line as prepayment.{{cite news |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |date=14 December 1939 |page=37 |title=Deal For Grace Liners Pending |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81873116/the-los-angeles-times/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} While Grace Line eventually agreed to purchase new vessels for their South American operations, the deal with MARCOM did not include any of their aging ships. Instead, in March 1940 it was announced that W. R. Grace agreed to sell three of their vessels, Cuzco, Capac and Charcas to a Panama-based Compañía de Vapores Cardina, S.A, a subsidiary of Belgium-based Compagnie Continentale d’Importation. The new owners were going to engage in tramp shipping, mainly between the United States and Europe.{{cite news |newspaper=The Evening Sun |date=12 March 1940 |page=38 |title=U.S. Okays Sale Of Two Ships Owned Here. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81873837/the-evening-sun/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}}{{cite news |newspaper=Tacoma News Tribune |date=20 March 1940 |page=9 |title=Grace Line Ships Sold. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81873954/the-news-tribune/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} At the time of sale Cuzco was on her regular journey to Central and South America transporting her usual cargo including five Arabian horses bought by the government of Colombia.{{cite news |newspaper=The Pomona Progress Bulletin |date=16 March 1940 |page=12 |title=Five Arabian Horses Sold To Colombia. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/81874139/the-pomona-progress-bulletin/ |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=20 July 2021}}{{free access}} After loading her usual cargo of nitrates and copper and vanadium ore the vessel passed through the Panama Canal on May 5 and continued to New York where she was transferred into Panamanian registry.{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |volume=XXXIII |number=10 |page=187 |date=15 May 1940 |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight April 10, 1940, to Midnight May 10, 1940}}

Following arrival in New York in mid-May 1940 Cuzco was renamed Carmona and put under operational control of a newly created company, Carmona Steamship Company. Due to developing disaster in France any potential trips to Europe became impossible. Carmona then sailed from New York for New Orleans where she loaded 7,000 tons of salt for delivery to Tokoyama. The freighter passed through the Panama Canal on 20–21 July 1940 and after making a short stop in Los Angeles in early August continued to Japan.{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |volume=34 |page=10 |number=1 |date=15 August 1940 |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight July 10, 1940, to Midnight August 10, 1940}} She returned to Seattle on 7 February 1941 and upon loading her cargo the vessel left for South Africa on February 17.{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=18 February 1941 |page=8 |title=Ship Movements.}} The ship then proceeded to the Atlantic where she entered a trade route from the east coast of South America to New York.

SS Carmona (Master Charles Beke) was en route from Buenos Aires to the US with a cargo of 7,138 tons of linseed in bulk. The ship was sailing alone and unarmed. At 11:27 local time on July 18, 1942, in position {{coord|10|58|N|61|20|W|}}, southeast of Trinidad, German submarine {{GS|U-160|1941|2}} under command of Georg Lassen launched four torpedoes and hit Carmona on the starboard side. The first torpedo struck the engine room, and killed four crew members. The second hit at #2 hatch about 10 minutes later, and the other two struck shortly after. The ship turned on her side and sunk at 12:00 noon. The Master ordered to abandon ship and the survivors were picked up by a United States Navy Patrol Boat {{USS|YPC-68}} and taken to Port of Spain. There were 31 survivors.{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1943.html |title=SS Carmona |first=Guðmundur |last=Helgason |work=uboat.net |year=2017 |accessdate=July 11, 2017}}

{{reflist}}

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• {{cite book |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/41/41b0158.pdf |year=1941 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register}}
• {{cite book |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b0302.pdf |year=1930 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register}}

{{Design 1019 ships}}

{{July 1942 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:West Kasson}}

Category:Design 1019 ships

Category:1919 ships

Category:Ships built in California

Category:Maritime incidents in July 1942

Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II

Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Caribbean Sea