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Type C2 ship

{{Short description|Ship type}}

{{Infobox ship begin

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{{Infobox ship image

| Ship image = USS Whiteside (AKA-90) anchored in San Francisco Bay c1948.jpg

| Ship caption = USS Whiteside anchored in San Francisco Bay, circa 1948, a Type C2-S-B1 ship

}}

{{Infobox ship class overview

|Name = Type C2 ship

|Builders =* Sun Yards

|Operators =

|Subclasses=

|Cost=$3,380,400 (1945); $48,136,896 (2020)

|Built range = 1938–1946 (U.S. shipyards)

|In service range = 1938 – c. 1970

|In commission range = 4 April 1941 (AF-11)

|Total ships building =

|Total ships planned=

|Total ships completed=328 (23 July 1938 – TBD)

|Total ships cancelled=

|Total ships active =

|Total ships laid up=

|Total ships lost = 8 during hostilities

|Total ships retired=

|Total ships preserved=

}}

{{Infobox ship characteristics

| Hide header =

| Header caption =

| Ship class =

| Ship type =

| Ship tonnage = {{DWT|5,443}} (AF-11)

| Ship displacement = 13,910 tons (AF-11)

| Ship length = {{convert|459|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (design)

| Ship beam = {{convert|63|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (design)

| Ship height =

| Ship draught =

| Ship draft = {{convert|25|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (design)

| Ship depth = {{convert|40|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}} (design)

| Ship hold depth =

| Ship decks =

| Ship deck clearance =

| Ship ramps =

| Ship ice class =

| Ship power =

| Ship propulsion = *two boilers, two turbines single propeller {{convert|6,000|shp|abbr=on|lk=in}} (AF-11) or

  • diesel engines

| Ship sail plan =

| Ship speed = *{{convert|15.5|kn|km/h|lk=in|1}} (design)

  • {{convert|19|kn|km/h|0}} (maximum)

| Ship range =

| Ship endurance =

| Ship test depth =

| Ship boats =

| Ship capacity =

| Ship troops =

| Ship complement = 287 (AF-11)

| Ship crew =

| Ship time to activate =

| Ship sensors =

| Ship EW =

| Ship armament = * 1 × single 5"/38-caliber gun dual-purpose gun mount

| Ship armour =

| Ship armor =

| Ship aircraft =

| Ship aircraft facilities =

| Ship notes =

}}

Type C2 ships were designed by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) in 1937–38. They were all-purpose cargo ships with five holds, and U.S. shipyards built 328 of them from 1939 to 1945. Compared to ships built before 1939, the C2s were remarkable for their speed and fuel economy. Their design speed was {{convert|15.5|kn|km/h|1|lk=in}}, but some could make {{convert|19|kn|km/h|0}} on occasion. The first C2s were {{convert|459|ft|m|0}} long, {{convert|63|ft|m|0}} broad, and {{convert|40|ft|m|0}} deep, with a {{convert|25|ft|m|0|adj=on}} draft. Later ships varied somewhat in size. Some, intended for specific trade routes, were built with significant modifications in length and capacity.{{cite journal |author1=Pacific American Steamship Association |author2=Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |date=February 1941 |title=New Type Exporter Steamers |journal=Pacific Marine Review |volume=38 |issue=2 |page=80 |location=San Francisco |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3841paci#page/n139/mode/1up |access-date=8 August 2019}}[http://shipbuildinghistory.com/merchantships/2c2cargoships.htm shipbuildinghistory.com, List of all C2 Ships]

In 1937, MARCOM distributed tentative designs for criticism by shipbuilders, ship owners, and naval architects. The final designs incorporated many changes suggested by these constituencies. The ships were to be reasonably fast but economical cargo ships which, with some government subsidies to operators, could compete with vessels of other nations. Building costs were to be minimized by standardization of design and equipment, and the ships were to have sufficient speed and stability that they could be used as naval auxiliaries in time of national emergency.

The basic specifications called for a five-hold steel cargo ship with raked stem and cruiser stern, complete shelter and second decks, and a third deck in Nos. 1–4 holds. Dimensions of the hatches were {{convert|20|×|30|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, except for No. 2, which was {{convert|20|×|50|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}, allowing such cargo as locomotives, naval guns, long bars, etc. Ventilation to the holds was provided by hollow kingposts, which also served as cargo masts. Cargo handling gear consisted of fourteen 5-ton cargo booms, plus two 30-ton booms at Nos. 3 and 4 hatches.{{cite journal |last=Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |date=January 1938 |title=Let's Start Rebuilding Our Merchant Marine in 1938 |journal=Pacific Marine Review |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=20, 22–23 |location=San Francisco |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3538paci#page/n15/mode/1up |access-date=17 August 2019}}

Living accommodations were much improved over previous designs, with crew accommodations amidships, officers quarters on the boat deck, and the captain's quarters on the bridge deck, along with the wheelhouse, chartroom, gyro and radio room. Hot and cold running water was provided throughout.

Many of the ships such as SS Donald McKay were converted by the U.S. Navy for service during World War II. The commercial versions were operated by the government during the war. Beginning in late 1945, the commercial ships were sold to merchant shipping lines, with service until the early 1970s.

Cost

According to the War Production Board, in 1943 the C-2 had a relative cost of $313 per deadweight ton (10,800 deadweight tonnage){{Cite book |title=Minutes of the War Production Board January 20, 1942 - October 9, 1945 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MVgUAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA234|series=Historical Reports on War Administration: War Production Board. Documentary Publication |author= Civilian Production Administration Bureau of Demobilization |publisher= U.S. Government Printing Office |year=1946|page=234}} for $3,380,400; which at $14 to $1 inflation of 1945 to 2020 amounts to $48,136,896{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

Ships in class

File:USS Wayne (APA-54) at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia (USA), circa in 1943 (NH 93602).jpg

File:American Forester_IMO 5014379_G_Hamburg_1969.JPG

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"

|+ Subtypes of C2 Type ships

scope="col" | Type

! scope="col" | Total (328)

! scope="col" | DWT

! scope="col" | Builders

! scope="col" | Example

scope="row" | C2-S-B1

| 115

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,150

|

Federal SB, NJ

Moore DD, CA

Consolidated, CA

Western Pipe&Steel, CA

| {{USNS|Bald Eagle}}

scope="row" | C2-S-AJ1

| 64

| style="text-align: right;" | 10,755

|North Carolina SB, NC

| {{USS|Adirondack|AGC-15|6}} and USS Great Sitkin

scope="row" | C2-S-AJ3

| 32

| style="text-align: right;" | 11,300

| North Carolina

| {{USS|Tolland|AKA-64|6}}

scope="row" | C2-S-E1

| 30

| style="text-align: right;" | 10,565

| Gulf SB, AL

|{{USS|Wayne|APA-54|6}}

scope="row" | C2

| 20

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,758

|

Federal SB

Sun Yards, PA

Newport News, VA

Tampa SB

| {{USS|Polaris|AF-11|6}}

scope="row" | C2-S-AJ5

| 10

| style="text-align: right;" | 10,400

|North Carolina

| SS American Scout[https://www.maritime.dot.gov/content/ss-american-scout SS American Scout]

scope="row" | C2-F

| 7

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,390

| Federal SB

| {{USS|Oberon|AKA-14|6}}

scope="row" | C2-S

| 6

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,970

| Bethlehem Sparrows Point, MD

| {{USS|Alhena|AKA-9|6}}

scope="row" | C2-S-B1-R

| 6

| style="text-align: right;" | 7,640

| Moore Dry Dock

|

scope="row" | C2-S-AJ4

| 6

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,652

| North Carolina

|(Santa ships) as in SS Santa Luisa

scope="row" | C2-S-AJ2

| 5

| style="text-align: right;" | 10,350

|North Carolina

| {{USS|Southampton|AKA-66|6}}[http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=891020 USS Southampton AKA-66]

scope="row" | C2-SU-R

| 5

| style="text-align: right;" | 8,595

| Sun Yards, PA

|{{MS|Stag Hound|1941|6}}

scope="row" | C2-T

| 4

| style="text-align: right;" | 8,656

| Tampa SB, FL

| {{USS|Shasta|AE-6|6}}

scope="row" | C2-S-A1

| 4

| style="text-align: right;" | 8,130

| Bath Iron Works, ME

| SS Empire Oriole

scope="row" | C2-SU

| 3

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,620

| Sun Yards, PA

|

scope="row" | C2-S1-B1

| 3

| style="text-align: right;" | 7,640

| Moore Dry Dock

|

scope="row" style="white-space: nowrap;" | C2-S1-DG2

| 3

| style="text-align: right;" | 8,720

|Federal SB

|three cargo-passenger ship: SS Santa Monica, SS Santa Clara and SS Santa Sofia

scope="row" | C2-N

| 3

| style="text-align: right;" | 6,350

| Tampa SB

|three ships: {{USS|Akutan|AE-13|6}}, {{USS|Mauna Loa|AE-8|6}} and {{USS|Mazama|AE-9|6}}

scope="row" | C2-G

| 2

| style="text-align: right;" | 9,020

| Federal SB

|two ships {{SS|Santa Elisa}} and {{SS|Santa Rita|1941|6}} were both torpedoed in 1942.

=Modified and redesignated=

  • Stores Ship – AF (11)
  • 3 {{sclass|Aldebaran|stores ship|0}} (C2)
  • {{USS|Aldebaran|AF-10|3}}, {{USS|Polaris|AF-11|3}}, {{USS|Jupiter|AK-43|3}}
  • 2 {{sclass|Hyades|stores ship|0}} (C2-S-E1)
  • {{USS|Hyades|AF-28|3}}, {{USS|Graffias|AF-29|3}}
  • 6 of 10 {{sclass|Alstede|stores ship|0}} (C2-S-B1-R)
  • AF-50, AF-51, AF-52, AF-54, AF-60, AF-61
  • Attack Transports – APA (1 + 6AP)
  • 3 {{sclass|Ormsby|attack transport}}s (C2-S-B1)
  • APA-49, APA-50, APA-51 (AP-94, AP-95, AP-96)
  • 4 {{sclass|Sumter|attack transport}}s (C2-S-E1)
  • APA-52, APA-53, APA-54 (AP-97, AP-98, AP-99)
  • APA-94
  • Transports – AP (13)
  • 7 {{sclass|La Salle|transport|0}} (C2-S-B1)
  • 3 {{sclass|Tryon|evacuation transport|0}} (C2-S-A1)
  • 2 {{sclass|Storm King|transport|0}} (C2-S-AJ1)
  • {{USS|Thurston|AP-77|3}} (C2-F)
  • Cargo ship – AK (21 + 1 AKA)
  • {{USS|Arcturus|AK-18|3}} ... {{USS|Electra|AK-21|3}}
  • {{USS|Alchiba|AK-23|3}} ... {{USS|Alhena|AK-26|3}}, {{USS|Betelgeuse|AK-28|3}}
  • {{USS|Mercury|AK-42|3}}, {{USS|Jupiter|AK-43|3}}
  • {{USS|Libra|AK-53|3}} ... {{USS|Oberon|AK-56|3}}
  • {{USS|Andromeda|AK-64|3}} ... {{USS|Virgo|AK-69|3}}
  • {{USS|Wyandot|AK-283|3}} (AKA-92) (in 1963)
  • Attack Cargo Ships – AKA (60 + 17AK)
  • {{USS|Alhena|AKA-9|3}} (AK-26)
  • 11 {{sclass|Arcturus|attack cargo ship|0}} (C2, C2-F, C2-T)
  • AKA-1 ... AKA-4 (AK-18 ... AK-21)
  • AKA-6 ... AKA-8 (AK-23 ... AK-25)
  • AKA-11 ... AKA-14 (AK-28, AK-53, AK-55, AK-56)
  • 32 {{sclass|Tolland|attack cargo ship|0}} (C2-S-AJ3)
  • AKA-64 ... AKA-87, AKA-101 ... 108
  • 30 {{sclass|Andromeda|attack cargo ship|0}} (C2-S-B1)
  • AKA-15 ... AKA-20 (prev: AK-64 ... AK-69)
  • AKA-53 ... AKA-63, AKA-88 ... AKA-100
  • General Stores Issue Ship – AKS (2 + 2AK)
  • 3 {{sclass|Castor|general stores issue ship}}s
  • {{USS|Castor|AKS-1|3}}, {{USS|Pollux|AKS-2|3}}, {{USS|Pollux|AKS-4|3}} (AK-54)
  • {{USS|Mercury|AKS-20|3}} (AK-42)
  • Ammunition ship – AE (15 + 2AKA)
  • 7 {{sclass|Lassen|ammunition ship|0}} (C2, C2-T, C2-N)
  • {{USS|Lassen|AE-3}}, {{USS|Kilauea|AE-4|2}}, {{USS|Rainier|AE-5|2}}, {{USS|Shasta|AE-6|3}}
  • {{USS|Mauna Loa|AE-8|3}}, {{USS|Mazama|AE-9|3}}
  • {{USS|Akutan|AE-13|3}}
  • 8 {{sclass|Mount Hood|ammunition ship|0}} (C2-S-AJ1)
  • Converted from {{sclass|Andromeda|attack cargo ship|0}} in 1965
  • {{USS|Virgo|AE-30|3}} (prev: {{USS|Virgo|AKA-20|3}})
  • {{USS|Chara|AE-31|3}} (prev: {{USS|Chara|AKA-58|3}})
  • Aviation Supply Ship – AVS (1AK)
  • {{USS|Jupiter|AVS-8|3}} (AK-43)
  • Command ship – AGC (15)
  • 4 {{sclass|Appalachian|command ship|0}}
  • {{USS|Appalachian|AGC-1|3}} ... {{USS|Rocky Mount|AGC-3|3}}, {{USS|Catoctin|AGC-5|3}}
  • 8 {{sclass|Mount McKinley|command ship|0}}
  • {{USS|Mount McKinley|AGC-7|3}} ... {{USS|Teton|AGC-14|3}}
  • 3 {{sclass|Adirondack|command ship|0}}
  • {{USS|Adirondack|AGC-15|3}} ... {{USS|Taconic|AGC-17|3}}

Notable incidents

File:USS Achernar.jpg

File:USS Polaris (AF-11) off Korea in 1953.jpg

  • Highflier a C2-S-B, exploded and sank in 1947.
  • Wild Rover a C2-S-B1, renamed Mormackite, capsized in heavy seas and sank off Cape Henry on 7 October 1954. Survivors were attacked by sharks.[http://sharkattackfile.net/spreadsheets/pdf_directory/1954.10.07-Mormackite.pdf Sea disaster CASE: GSAF 1954.10.07, October 7, 1954]
  • {{USS|Starlight|AP-175|6}}, a C2-S-AJ1, on 26 December 1969 with a full load of 8,900 bombs, rockets, shells and mines bound for Da Nang, South Vietnam, cargo shifted and a bomb went off in rough seas. On 5 January 1970 she sank north of Midway Atoll. Twenty-nine members of her crew died during the evacuation.[http://www.usmm.org/badger_state.html Starlight (AP-175)]
  • {{USS|Towner|AKA-77|6}}, a C2-S-AJ3, renamed SS Guam Bear, was wrecked and sank in 1967. She was in a collision outside Apra Harbor, Guam. A constructive total loss, the hulk was towed {{convert|2|nmi|lk=in}} off shore and scuttled.[http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?184793 wrecksite.eu, Midnight]
  • SS American Shipper, a C2-S-AJ5. Delivered December 1945. Sank in 1974 in the Balintang Channel, {{convert|400|mi}} southeast of Hong Kong.[https://archive.today/20131217011556/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/c2cargoships.htm#selection-12141.23-12141.28 shipbuildinghistory.com, C2 Cargo Ships][http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1380959 American Shipper]
  • {{SS|Santa Elisa}} was torpedoed in 1942 and sank off Tunisia.
  • {{SS|Santa Rita|1941|6}} was torpedoed in 1942, sank in North Atlantic.
  • SS Louise Lykes was torpedoed and sank in the North Atlantic in 1943.
  • SS Shooting Star was torpedoed and sank in South Atlantic in 1943. One US Armed Guard killed.
  • {{USS|Pollux|AKS-2|6}} was wrecked and sank off Newfoundland in 1942.
  • {{USS|Mount Hood|AE-11|6}} exploded and sank in the Admiralty Islands in 1944.
  • SS Fairport was torpedoed and sank in the North Atlantic in 1942.
  • SS Santa Catalina was torpedoed and sank off Georgia 1943.
  • SS African Star was torpedoed and sank in the South Atlantic in 1942.
  • SS African Dawn (CH-111) collided with a tanker in convoy, 2300 hrs, Oct 28 1943.

See also

Citations

{{reflist}}

General and cited references

  • {{cite book |title=Ships for Victory: A History of Shipbuilding under the U.S. Maritime Commission in World War II |first=Frederic C. |last=Lane |date=21 September 2001 |publisher=JHU Press |isbn=0-8018-6752-5}}
  • {{cite book |title=From America to United States: The History of the long-range Merchant Shipbuilding Programme of the United States Maritime Commission |first1=L. A. |last1=Sawyer |first2=W. H. |last2=Mitchell |name-list-style=amp |location=London |year=1981 |publisher=World Ship Society}}
  • [http://www.usmm.org/c2ships.html United States Maritime Commission C2 Type Ships]

{{MARCOMships}}

{{WWII US ships}}

{{Storm King class transports}}

{{Type C2 ships}}

{{Type C2-G ships}}

{{Type C2-F ships}}

{{Type C2-S-AJ1 ships}}

{{Type C2-SU ships}}

{{Type C2-S-E1 ships}}

{{Type C2-T ships}}

{{Type C2-S-B1 ships}}

{{Type C2-S-E1 ships}}

{{Type C2-N ships}}

{{Tolland class attack cargo ship}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Type C2 Ship}}

Category:Ship types

Category: Standard ship types of the United States

Category:Type C2-N ships

Category:Type C2-S-AJ1 ships of the United States Navy

Category:World War II auxiliary ships of the United States