SS John Morgan was a World War II Liberty ship built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at their Bethlehem-Fairfield yard at Baltimore, Maryland, and launched on 4 May 1943. She was operated by the Wessel Duval & Company for the war.[2]

A Liberty ship at sea
History
United States
NameJohn Morgan
NamesakeGeneral John Tyler Morgan
BuilderBethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Baltimore, Maryland
Yard number2128
Way number12
Laid down31 March 1943
Launched4 May 1943
Completed12 May 1943
FateSunk after collision, 1 June 1943
General characteristics
Class and typeType EC2-S-C1 Liberty ship
Displacement14,245 long tons (14,474 t)[1]
Length
  • 441 ft 6 in (134.57 m) o/a
  • 417 ft 9 in (127.33 m) p/p
  • 427 ft (130 m) w/l[1]
Beam57 ft (17 m)[1]
Draft27 ft 9 in (8.46 m)[1]
Propulsion
Speed11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)[1]
Range20,000 nmi (37,000 km; 23,000 mi)
Capacity10,856 t (10,685 long tons) deadweight (DWT)[1]
Crew81[1]
ArmamentStern-mounted 4 in (100 mm) deck gun for use against surfaced submarines, variety of anti-aircraft guns

However, on 1 June 1943, during its maiden voyage John Morgan collided with the tanker SS Montana off Cape Henry on the coast of Virginia. John Morgan broke in two and sank immediately at position 36°59′56″N 75°23′59″W / 36.99889°N 75.39972°W / 36.99889; -75.39972, but started fires aboard Montana. USS Shubrick, engaged in gunnery practice in Chesapeake Bay, was sent to investigate. She sent a party aboard Montana to assist in extinguishing the fires, but recalled them after discovering that Montana was also carrying ammunition. Soon afterwards Herndon and Nelson arrived, and circled the area looking for survivors, but recovered only 12 bodies.[3]

The wreck

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The ship lies in approximately 110 ft (34 m) of water. It is largely broken up, but the bow and a structure known as the "hospital" are still recognizable. The ship was on the United States lend-lease program and was loaded with war supplies such as Valentine tanks, P-39s, and large amounts of ammunition.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Davies, James (2012). "Liberty Cargo Ships" (PDF). ww2ships.com. p. 23. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
  2. ^ "Bethlehem Fairfield". shipbuildinghistory.com. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Destroyer Photo Index Unidentified". navsource.org. 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  4. ^ "John Morgan". uwex.us. 2005. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2012.