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The Oceans

Ocean Valour as Heronspool

Photograph courtesy of Edward Reah

These  sixty 'Ocean' class vessels were built to the original 'Empire Liberty' design which was in essence the first 'North Sands' ship.  Thirty of the vessels were built on the West Coast at Richmond, California and thirty on the East coast at South Portland, Maine.  All of these 'Ocean' vessels were paid for and owned by the British Government.  When the U.S.A. joined the war, no further ships were ordered directly by the British Government from the U.S.A. but were dealt with under the Lease-Lend Act.

The 'Ocean' vessels differed from the Canadian 'Forts' and 'Parks' in that they were of a welded construction.  Welding saved weight due to the elimination of plate overlaps and rivets.  Another advantage was minimal surface friction, bringing economies in fuel consumption.  However, a significant disadvantage was that a number of these welded ships developed major fractures.

The plans for the main engines originated from a design by the British company of North Eastern Marine Engineering Company Limited.  The main engine contract was awarded to the General Machinery Corporation of Ohio but not all of the sixty sets went to the 'Ocean' ships as some were interchanged with the US Maritime Commission's Canadian- built 'Fort' ships. The same engine was used in the 'Liberty' ships.

Seventeen out of the sixty 'Ocean' ships were lost during WW2.

 

The Fleet List

The measurements of the 'Ocean' type ships was registered at 441.5' x 57'. Gross tonnage was 7,174 and deadweight was 10,500 tons.  Speed was 11 knots.

*Thanks to Ted Finch for help with ships' histories.

 

 

A  C  F  G  H  J  L  M  P  R  S  T  Va  Vi  W

 

NOTES:   

MOWT-Ministry of War Transport;  

CTL- Constructive Total Loss; 

All name changes shown in italics.

Short dates shown as DD.MM.YY

 

Ocean Angel

Delivery date:

October 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Manager for MOWT: Barr, Crombie & Co to 1946 then by Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London; 
History:

1949: ALCYONE ANGEL, Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London 

1956: CONTINENTAL, Cia de Nav San Augustin.S.A., Panama (Liberian flag) 

1960: Scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Athlete

Delivery date:

August 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

History:

1943: GOVERT FLINCK, Netherlands Government - The Netherlands Shipping and Trading Committee (N.S.T.C.) managed by Rotterdam Lloyd; 

1947: TERNATE, Rotterdamse Lloyd;  

1959: KASERT, Dah Lien Shipping Co, Hong Kong; 

1960: HO PING CHI SUI WU, later HOPING CHI, Peoples Republic of China; 

1980: ZHAN DOU 75, Bureau of Marine Administration, Shanghai; 

1985: Reported scrapped.

Ocean Courage

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Manager for MOWT: Hain S.S.Co, London

Fate:

15 January 1943: in the Atlantic, South of the Cape Verde Island at position 10°52N/23°28W whilst sailing independently on a voyage from Pepel to the UK via Freetown and Trinidad with a cargo of 9000 tons of iron ore and mail, was sunk by torpedo from U-182 commanded by Nicolai Clausen.  The Master, Captain Thomas Harold Kemp, 41 crew, 2 gunners and 2 stowaways were lost.  Six crew and 1 gunner were rescued by British ship SILVERWALNUT and landed at Norfolk, Virginia.

Ocean Courier

Delivery date:

October 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Larrinaga S.S.Co, Liverpool; 

History:

1948: CLAN MACBEAN, Clan Line Ltd, 

1960: Scrapped Hong Kong.

Ocean Crusader

Delivery date:

November 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Dodd, Thompson & Co, London

Fate:

26 November 1942: In the Atlantic, West of Newfoundland in position 50°30N/45°30W, whilst on a voyage from Portland, Maine to the U.K. via Panama and New York with 8891 tons of general cargo (a straggler of convoy HX 216 comprising 42 ships) was sunk by U-262 commanded by Heinz Franke.  The Master, Captain Ellis Wynne Parry and crew of 44 were lost.

Ocean Faith

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Headlam & Son to 1946, then by Neil & Pandelis Ltd; 
History:

1949: AVISVALE, Ascot Shipping Co, Ltd, London; 

1955: UJE, Cia de Nav.San Rocco, Panama (Costa Rican flag); 

1959: Panamanian flag (same owners);
1962: Scrapped Spezia, Italy.

Ocean Fame

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: W. H. Seagar & Co to 1946 then by Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 
History:

1947: FIRBY, Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool;
1955: IRENE K, N. G. Kyriakides Shipping Co; 

1958: Winchester Shipping Co;
1964: WINCHESTER QUEEN, same owners; 

1966: Scrapped Bilbao.

Ocean Freedom

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: ?

Fate:

13 March 1943: Sunk in an air attack on Murmansk.

Ocean Gallant

Delivery date:

October 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Turnbull, Scott & Co, London; 
History:

1946: BENNEVIS, Ben Line Steamers Ltd, Edinburgh; 

1951: Rodney S.S.Co, London; 

1959: CHARLES DICKENS, same owners; 

1961: Chine Shipping Co Ltd; 

1962: CLEO, Pedoulas Cia Nav.S.A., Panama (Greek flag); 

1963: Transferred to Panamanian flag; 

1967: Scrapped Osaka.

Ocean Glory

Delivery date:

November 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: J & C. Harrison, London; 
History:

1948: CLAN MACBETH, Clan Line Ltd; 

1959: MADONNA, Panamanian Oriental S.S.Corp, Panama; 

1961: SINCERE TRADER, Sincere Navigation Co, Keelung; 

1964: Scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Gypsy

Delivery date:

November 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: J & C. Harrison, London; 
History:

1948: CLAN MACBRIDE, Clan Line Ltd; 

1958: ALICE, Valles S.S.Co, Panama; 10.5.66 grounded near Kuantan, 

04.06.66: Refloated and scrapped Hirao.

Ocean Honour

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Chellew Navigation Co, Cardiff

Fate:

16 September 1942: In the Gulf of Aden, near Socotra Island in position 12°48N/50°50E, whilst sailing independently on a voyage from Liverpool to Aden and Alexandria via Durban with a cargo of 6000 tons of government stores including motor vehicles, was sunk by Japanese submarine I-29 commanded by Izu.  The Master, Captain Percy Bond, 29 crew and 3 gunners landed on an isolated island and were rescued by RAF aircraft and taken to Aden.  15 crew and 5 gunners were lost.

Ocean Hope

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: ?
History:

1943: BIALYSTOK, Polish Government; 

Classed by Lloyds as seagoing until 1956 (probably then used as a static storage unit); 

1971: Lloyds Register gives - owned by Polish Steamship Co, Szczecin - broken up.

Ocean Hunter

Delivery date:

October 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Joseph Robinson & Sons (Stag Line), North Shields

Fate:

10 January 1944: Off the Algerian coast, US to Italy was sunk by German aircraft.

Ocean Justice

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Hain S.S.Co, London

Fate:

6 November 1942: In the Atlantic, east of Trinidad at position 10°06N/60°00W whilst sailing independently on a voyage from Karachi to New York via Durban and Trinidad with 600 tons of Manganese ore as ballast,, was sunk by torpedo from U505 commanded by Peter Zschech.  The Master, Captain Thomas Edward Daniel, 34 crew, 6 gunners, 2 signalmen were rescued by HMS PIMPERNEL and landed at Santiago de Cuba.  Two crew were lost.

Ocean Liberty

Delivery date:

March 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Mitchell, Cotts & Co  

1945: Saint Line Ltd 

1946: Neil & Pandelis Ltd 

History:

1948: AVISMOAT, Ascot Shipping Co, Ltd, London; 

1955: CLAIRE T, Romney S.S.Co.Ltd.; 

1958: FREE TRADER, Nigean Shipping Co, Panama; 

1959: THEODOROS TSAVLIRIS, same owners, Greek flag; 

1964: NEWGROVE, Trafalgar S.S.Co, British flag; 

1966: Kantara Shipping Co, Cyprus;
14.05.66: Aground off Puerto Padre bound Liverpool - Cuba, declared CTL.
19.01.67: Refloated, towed to Antilla for repair and returned to service by Government of Cuba. 

 

Deleted from Lloyds Register 1968/69 but ultimate fate unknown as no information available.

Ocean Merchant

Delivery date:

August 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

History:

1943: JAN LIEVENS, (probably Netherlands Government); 

1946: AMSTELSTAD, N.V.Reederij, Amsterdam; 

1959: DUNN

1959: Sold to China. (no further info)

Ocean Messenger

Delivery date:

October 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Watts, Watts & Co, London; 
History:

1948: CLAN MACBRAYNE, Clan Line Ltd; 

1960: Transferred to King Line Ltd; 

1961: Scrapped Japan.

Ocean Might

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: MacLay & McIntyre, Glasgow

Fate:

2 September 1942: In the Atlantic, south west of Takoradi in position 00°57N/04°11W whilst sailing independently on a voyage from, Liverpool to Cape Town and the Middle East with a cargo of 7000 tons of military stores (dispersed from convoy OS 37 comprising 33 ships), was sunk by torpedo from U-109 commanded by Heinrich Bleichrodt.  The Master, Captain William James Park, 40 crew and 9 gunners landed 35 miles east of Accra at Ningo, Gold Coast.  Three crew and 1 gunner were lost.

Ocean Peace

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Hain Steamship Co, St. Ives

Fate:

12 July 1943: Off Sicily bound for the beach-head from Alexandria, was sunk by aircraft.

Ocean Pilgrim

Delivery date:

August 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Dene Shipping Co. 

1946: Sir R.Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

History:

1947: PIKEPOOL, Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool 

1959: MARIGO, Nevada Co.Ltd, Monrovia (Greek flag); 

1966: AMFITRITI, Amfitriti Shipping Co, Cyprus; 

1967: Scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Pride

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Sir William Reardon Smith & Co, Cardiff;
1946: Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 
History:

1947: OAKBY, Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

1959: ERINIO, Master Shipping Co, Panama (Lebanese flag); 

1964: PENELOPE L, Penelope Steamship Co, Liberia; 

1965: SUSANA K.L., Marvencedor Cia Nav. S.A., Panama (Liberian flag); 

16.05.66: abandoned by crew after engine room fire while bound Kawasaki - Manila, towed into Keelung but declared CTL and scrapped.

Ocean Rider

Delivery date:

August 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Larrinaga S.S.Co, Liverpool; 
History:

1947: NICHOLAS K, N. G. Kyriakides Shipping Co, London; 

1958: Winchester Shipping Co.Ltd; 

1964: WINCHESTER KING, same owners; 

1966: PACIFIC TRADER, Intertrader Shipping Co, Panama; 

1968: KARIMANTAN, scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Seaman

Delivery date:

September 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: F. C. Strick & Co, London

Fate:

15 March 1943: In the Mediterranean west of Algiers at position 36°55N/01°59E whilst in convoy ET.14 comprising 20 ships, Algiers to UK in ballast, was torpedoed and damaged by U-380 commanded by Joseph Röther.  Towed by US destroyer PAUL JONES to Algiers and beached.  Declared CTL.  The Master, Captain Edward Bacon, 48 crew and 10 gunners were rescued by HM minesweeper No 133 and British ship EILDON and landed at Gibraltar and Oran.

Ocean Stranger

Delivery date:

September 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Glen & Co;

1946: Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London;  

History:

1948: ALCYONE FORTUNE, Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London 

1951: CALYGERA, Cia. Maritima Calivergo S.A, Panama; 

1954: ALCYONE FAITH, Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London; 

1956: AFRICAN BARON, West Africa Navigation Ltd, Liberia; 

1965: Scrapped Hirao.

Ocean Strength

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: J & J, Denholm Ltd, Glasgow; 
History:

1947: BROOMPARK, J & J, Denholm Ltd, Glasgow; 

1951: GARRYVALE, Andrew Crawford & Co. Ltd, Glasgow; 

1953: Buchanan Shipping Co, Glasgow; 

1957: AFRICAN LADY, West Africa Navigation Ltd, Liberia; 

1958: General Navigation Ltd, Monrovia; 

1965: Scrapped Osaka.

Ocean Trader

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Glen Line Ltd, London; 
History:

1947: MERCHANT ROYAL, Drake Shipping Co, London; 

1951: OCEANA, Cia.Armadora Transoceanica S.A, Panama; 

1960: OKEANIS, Cia.Armadora Sabinal S.A., Panama (Greek flag); 

1966: FIDES, Salinamar S.A., Panama; 

1968: DEFIS, Marsalina Shipping Co, Famagusta, Cyprus; 

1969: Scrapped Osaka.

Ocean Traveller

Delivery date:

September 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Lyle Shipping Co, Glasgow; 
History:

1947: CAPE CORSO, Lyle Shipping Co, Glasgow; 

07.1959: Aground, collision en route Makatea to Dunedin, 

09.1959: Scrapped Hong Kong.

Ocean Vagabond

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: W. H. Seager & Co, Cardiff

Fate:

10 January 1943: In the Atlantic, south of Iceland (47°31N/52°27W) whilst on a voyage from Botwood and St John's Newfoundland to Hull with a cargo of wheat, lumber and 3165 tons of sulphite pulp.  A straggler from convoy SC 115 comprising 18 ships, was torpedoed and damaged by U-513 commanded by Rolf Rűggeberg.  The Master, Captain John William Smith, 41 crew and 4 gunners were rescued by HM destroyer WANDERER and landed at Liverpool.  One crew lost.

Ocean Vagrant

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

W. H. Cockerline & Co; 

1946: Baltic Shipping Co, Newcastle; 

History:

1948: ATLANTIC VAGRANT, Baltic Shipping Co, Newcastle; 

1950: RAPHAEL, Bolton Steam Shipping Co; 

1951: SIRAM, Cia.de Vapores S.A., Panama; 

1961: SYROS, Syramar Cia.Nav.S.A., Panama (Greek flag);
1968: Scrapped Shanghai.

Ocean Valentine

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Ben Line Ltd; 
History:

1946: BENLOMOND, Ben Line Ltd;
1956: YANGOS. (no further info.).

Ocean Valley

Delivery date:

January 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Capper, Alexander & Co.;

1947: Houlder Bros & Co; 

History:

1949: MALMESBURY, Alexander Shipping Co Ltd, London; 

1955: GRANNY SUZANNE, Trafalgar S.S.Co Ltd; 

1958: FREE ENTERPRISE, Nigean Shipping Co, Panama (Liberian flag); 

1959: ALEXANDROS TSAVLIRIS, same owners, Greek flag;
1964: NEWDENE, Trafalgar S.S.Co, British flag; 

1965: FREE NAVIGATOR, Pancristo Shipping Co, Panama (Haiti flag); 

1966: Kantara Shipping Co, Cyprus; 

1969: Scrapped Spezia.

Ocean Valour

Delivery date:

March 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

W. A. Souter & Co.; 

1946: Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

History:

1947: Sold to Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

1949: HERONSPOOL, same owners; 

1955: LIANA, Achille Lauro, Naples, converted to motor ship; 

1967: Scrapped Spezia.

Ocean Vanguard

Delivery date:

October 1941

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: W. H. Seager & Co, Cardiff

Fate:

13 September 1942: East of Trinidad (10°43N/60°11W), Middle East to New York, was torpedoed and sunk by U-515 commanded by Werner Henke.

Ocean Vanity

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Raeburn & Verel Ltd.; 

1946: Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

History:

1947: TEESPOOL, Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

1960: WYNN, Clipper S.S. CoWest Hartlepool; 

1964: GOLDEN PHOENIX, Worldwide Shipping Ltd, Hong Kong & London; 

1965; Nassau Maritime Co; 

1968: Scrapped Onomichi, Japan.

Ocean Vanquisher

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: ?

War Damage:

12 December 1942: North West of Algiers (36°48N/03°04E) was damaged by Italian frogmen from the submarine Ambrax (commanded by Arillo), using a limpet mine.

History:

1946: NEREO, Societa Ligure di Armamento, Genoa; 

1964: Scrapped Japan.

Ocean Vengeance

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Raeburn & Verel Ltd.; 

1946: Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

History:

1947: INGLEBY, Sir R. Ropner & Co, West Hartlepool; 

1960: MARATHA ENTERPRISE, Chowgule Steamships Ltd, Nassau, Bahamas; 

1966: WELCOME, Welcome Shipping Co, Taiwan (Panamanian flag); 

1969: Scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Venture

Delivery date:

December 1941

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Larrinaga & Co, Liverpool

Fate:

8 February 1942: In the Atlantic, near Cape Hatteras at position 37°05N/74°46W whilst sailing independently on a voyage from, Vancouver to UK with a cargo of 9115 tons of foodstuffs and aircraft on deck, was sunk by U-108 commanded by Klaus Scholtz.  The Master, Captain Reginald Sharpe Craston and 13 crew were rescued by US destroyer ROE and landed at Norfolk, Virginia.  Twenty-nine crew and 2 gunners were lost.

Ocean Venus

Delivery date:

March 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: John Morrison & Son, Newcastle

Fate:

3 May 1942: In the Atlantic off the Florida Coast (28°21N/80°23W), whilst sailing independently on a voyage from Vancouver to UK with 9450 tons of general cargo including 4000 tons of lead, 4000 tons of lumber, 80 tons of acetone and 1000 tons of canned herrings, was torpedoed and sunk by U-564 commanded by Reinhard Suhren.  The Master, Captain John Park, 37 crew and 4 gunners landed at Cape Canaveral.  Five crew were lost.

Ocean Verity

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Glen Line Ltd; 
History:

1948: CLAN KEITH, Clan Line Steamers Ltd; 

05.11.61: Struck rocks, exploded and broke in two off Galita Isles, Tunisia. 62 lives lost, 6 saved.

Ocean Vesper

Delivery date:

January 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Kaye, Sons & Co.;

1942: then by Connell & Grace Ltd.; 

1946: Clan Line Ltd.; 

History:

1951: CLAN MACQUEEN, Clan Line Ltd;
1954: HERMINIUS, British & South American S.N.Co.Ltd, London; 

1958: EKBERG, Pan Norse S.S.Co, Panama; 

1962: Marine Development & Supply S.A., Panama;
1964: Scrapped Onomichi, Japan.

Ocean Vestal

Delivery date:

January 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Kaye, Son & Co; 
History:

1946: Sold to Thompson S.S.Co, London; 

1947: FARNINGHAM, same owners, 

1952: HELLENES, British & South American S.N.Co, London;

1958: JANMADA, Malabar S.S.Co, Bombay; 1962 Scrapped India.

Ocean Veteran

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

History:

1943: BELGIAN VETERAN, Belgian Government; 

1948: CAPITAINE LAUWEREINS, Cie Maritime Belge, Antwerp; 

1961: SANROCCO (no info).

Ocean Viceroy

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

P. Henderson & Co;

War Damage:

29 March 1943: At position 46°44N/16°38W whilst in convoy SL.126, damaged by torpedo from U-662 commanded by Heinz Eberhard Műller.

History:

1948; CLAN KENNETH, Clan Line Ltd; 

1958: OMONIA II., Cia Concordia de Nav.S.A, Piraeus, Greece;

13.04.66: Inbound Djakarta - Amsterdam,  caught fire and beached near Amsterdam, CTL. Scrapped Hamburg.

Ocean Victory

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

History:

1943: JAN STEEN, Netherlands Government; 

1946: AMSTELVEEN, N.V.Reederij "Amsterdam", Amsterdam; 

1959: POLLY, (no info); 

1963: Scrapped Taiwan.

Ocean Vigil

Delivery date:

November 1941

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Bolton S.S.Co, London; 
History:

1946: Sold to Bolton S.S.Co, London; 

1946: RAMSAY, same owners;

1951: STORK, Cia.Nav.Maropan S.A, Panama; 

1955: Cia.Maritima de Nav. Conval.S.A., Panama;  

1960: ROUMELI, Derna Cia.Nav, Panama; 

03.02.63: Aground while leaving drydock at Gijon. 

11.02.63: Refloated. 

21.02.63: Beached, CTL, sold for scrap in situ.

Ocean Vigour

Delivery date:

March 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: E. R. Management Ltd; 
History:

1948: RAMILLIES, John Cory & Sons, Cardiff; 

1954: Orders & Handford S.S. Co; 

1955: GALAVALE, Buchanan Shipping Co, Glasgow; 

1957: CONFIDENZA, Corrado Societa di Nav, Genoa; 

1967: Scrapped Spezia..

Ocean Viking

Delivery date:

December 1941

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: ?

History:

11 October 1943: Near Salerno, was damaged mine off Taranto, condemned and towed to Bari as blockship. 

27.07.46 salved and repaired. 

1948: ALCEO, Societa Ligure di Armamento, Genoa; 

1964; ALLEGRA (no info).

Ocean Vintage

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Muir Young S.S.Co, London

Fate:

22 October 1942: In the Gulf of Oman near Masirah Island (21°37N/60°06E), whilst sailing independently on a voyage from US to Persian Gulf with 9300 tons of general cargo, was torpedoed and sunk by torpedo from Japanese submarine I-72 commanded by Kitamura.  The Master, Captain John Robinson, crew of 43 and 6 gunners were towed in the ships' boats by RAF Crash Launch into Ras el Hadd harbour, Oman.

Ocean Virtue

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: ?
History:

1948: converted to oil fuel renamed ANDREA C., Giacomo Costa fu Andrea, Genoa 

(still listed in 1971 Lloyds Register under the ownership of Costa Armatori S.p.A., Genoa (no further info)

Ocean Viscount

Delivery date:

June 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Bibby Bros, Liverpool; 
History:

1948: CLAN KENNEDY, Clan Line Ltd; 

1959; KELLY, Eddie S.S.Co, Keelung; 

1960: Scrapped Japan.

Ocean Vision

Delivery date:

February 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Haldin & Philipps Ltd.; 

1946: Aviation & Shipping Co, Ltd, London; 

History:

1947: AVISMERE, Aviation & Shipping Co, Ltd, London; 

1955: DEEP RIVER, International Navigation Corp, Liberia; 

1962: Scrapped Spezia.

Ocean Vista

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Bibby Bros Ltd, Liverpool; 

1943: Saint Line, London; 

History:

1948: SAINT EDMUND, Saint Line Ltd, London; 

1962 LUCRINO, Achille Lauro, Naples; 

1970 Scrapped at Split.

Ocean Voice

Delivery date:

November 1941

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Larrinaga & Co, Liverpool

Fate:

22 September 1942: In the North Atlantic, north east of Iceland (71°23N/11°03W) whilst on government service on a voyage from Archangel to the UK via Loch Ewe with 25 Russian passengers, 858 standards of timber and 1121 tons of sulphite pulp, part of convoy QP.14 comprising 20 ships, was attacked by U-435 commanded by Siefried Strelow, and had to be sunk by R.N. escort.  The Master, Captain Harold James Kay, Commodore John C.K. Dowling, 47 crew, 10 gunners, 5 naval staff and passengers were rescued by HM minesweeper SEAGULL and rescue ship ZAMALEK.

Ocean Volga

Delivery date:

May 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: H. M. Thompson, London; 
History:

1946: SITHONIA, H. M. Thompson, London; 

1961: Scrapped Preston.

Ocean Volunteer

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

W. H. Cockline & Co.; 

1946: Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London; 

History:

1949; ALCYONE UNION, Alcyone Shipping & Finance Co, London; 

1950: BENRINNES, Ben Line Steamers Ltd, Edinburgh; 

1959: TWIN BEAR, Queensland Shipping Co, Nassau, Bahamas; 

1962: KUALA TRENGGANU, same owners; 

1963: Scrapped Osaka.

Ocean Voyager

Delivery date:

April 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: H. Hogarth & Sons, Ardrossan (Baron Line)

Fate:

19 March 1943: In an air attack on Tripoli harbour, Ocean Voyager was set on fire and blew up the following day.

Notes Bombed during a raid by 12 Junker 88s, Ocean Voyager caught fire whilst discharging Petrol drums.  The ship was also carrying live ammunition.  With the master lying dead on the bridge, Chief Officer George Preston Stonach, who was still recovering after being knocked unconscious, assumed responsibility.  He dragged survivors to safety and threw men overboard to rafts which he had released.  As a result of his leadership, several officers and crew members survived.  Stronach along with the 2nd engineer and boatswain were awarded Lloyds War Medals.

Ocean Vulcan

Delivery date:

February 1942

Shipbuilders:

Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Idwal Williams & Co. 

History:

1948: CAPE NELSON, Lyle Shipping Co.Ltd, Glasgow; 

1959: Sold to Marine Navigation Co, Hong Kong; 

1960: HAPPY SUNSHINE, Sunshine Shipping Co, Hong Kong; 

1961: MARINE DISCOVERER, Ace Shipping Co, Hong Kong; 

1962: Lotus Shipping Co, Hong Kong; 

1964: Vine Shipping Co, Hong Kong. 

23.05.66: Beached near Chittagong after fire broke out. 

07.06.66: Refloated but declared CTL 

1967: Scrapped Hirao, Japan..

Ocean Wanderer

Delivery date:

July 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT:

Donaldson Bros & Black, Glasgow; 

1946: Bolton S.S.Co; 

History:

1947: RUYSDAEL, Bolton S.S.Co, London; 

1951: SANTA IRENE, Kronos Cia Nav S.A., Panama (Costa Rican flag); 

1959: Transferred to Greek flag (same owners); 

02.11.62: Aground Los Cabezos Shoal, 4 miles West of
Tarifa. 

09.11.62 broke in two, CTL.

Ocean Wayfarer

Delivery date:

September 1942

Shipbuilders:

Todd-Bath Iron S.B. Corp., Portland, Maine

Nom. Managers for MOWT: Thompson Steam Shipping Co, Cardiff; 

History:

1947: CLAN MACQUARRIE, Clan Line Ltd; 

31.01.53: ashore in storm 10 miles west of Butt of Lewis. 

16.03.53: Refloated but CTL and scrapped at Troon.

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Last modified: May 27, 2004

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