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{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
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{{Infobox Ship Image
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|Ship image=SS America (1914).jpg
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{{Infobox Ship Career
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|Ship country= [[Norway]]
|Ship country= [[Norway]]
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|Ship in service=
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|Ship identification = *[[Call sign#Ships and boats|Call sign]] MKPW
|Ship identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] MKPW
*{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Whiskey}}
*{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Whiskey}}
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|Ship honors=
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|Ship captured=
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|Ship original cost=NOK 1,297,000.57
|Ship fate=Sunk, 2 May 1915
|Ship fate=Sunk, 2 May 1915
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|Header caption=
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|Ship class=
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|Ship type=Cargo Ship
|Ship type=[[Cargo ship]]
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|3706}}<ref name=lloyds>{{cite book |year=1915-16 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]]}}</ref>
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|3706}}<ref name=lloyds>{{cite book |year=1915–16 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]]}}</ref>
*{{NRT|2305}}<ref name=lloyds/>
*{{NRT|2305}}<ref name=lloyds/>
*{{DWT|5,800}}
*[[Deadweight tonnage|deadweight]] 5,800
|Ship displacement=
|Ship displacement=
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|357|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|357|ft|5|in|m|abbr=on}}
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'''''America''''' was a steam cargo ship built in 1914 by the [[Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri]] of [[Fevik|Fevig]] for the Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen. She was ordered by the line before being acquired by [[Wilh. Wilhelmsen|Wilhelm Wilhelmsen]].
'''''America''''' was a steam cargo ship built in 1914 by the [[Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri]] of [[Fevik|Fevig]] for the Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen. She was ordered by the line before being acquired by [[Wilh. Wilhelmsen|Wilhelm Wilhelmsen]].


==Design and Construction==
==Design and construction==
In 1913 an English firm Fearnley & Eger and Wilhelm Wilhelmsen established the "Norwegian Africa and Australia Line" (NAAL). At about the same time the two companies also took over the "Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen" (NMGL) involved in oil and oil products transportation to South America. NMGL ordered a new ship in 1913 before the acquisition, and ''America'' was completed for Wilhelm Wilhelmson for NOK 1,297,000.57 next year. The ship was laid down in 1913 at Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri shipyard in Fevig, launched on 3 September 1914 (yard number 169)<ref>{{cite news |title=Det største norske dampskib. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |newspaper=Fædrelandsvennen |date=4 September 1914 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stabelavløpning. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |newspaper=Agderposten |date=7 September 1914 |page=1}}</ref> and commissioned in October of the same year. As built, the ship was {{convert|357|ft|5|in|m}} long ([[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]]) and {{convert|48|ft|0|in|m}} [[beam (nautical)|abeam]], a [[mean]] [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|27|ft|2|in|m}}.<ref name=lloyds/> ''America'' was assessed at 3,706 [[Gross register tonnage|GRT]], {{NRT|2,305}} and 5,800 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref name=lloyds/> The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 310 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]] [[triple-expansion steam engine]], with cylinders of {{convert|25|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|41|in|cm|adj=on}}, and {{convert|68|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter with a {{convert|45|in|cm|adj=on}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]], that drove a single screw propeller, and moved the ship at up to {{convert|11.0|kn|mph km/h}}.<ref name=lloyds/>
In 1913 an English firm Fearnley & Eger and Wilhelm Wilhelmsen established the "Norwegian Africa and Australia Line" (NAAL). At about the same time the two companies also took over the "Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen" (NMGL) involved in oil and oil products transportation to South America. NMGL ordered a new ship in 1913 before the acquisition, and ''America'' was completed for Wilhelm Wilhelmson for NOK 1,297,000.57 next year. The ship was laid down in 1913 at Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri shipyard in Fevig, launched on 3 September 1914 (yard number 169)<ref>{{cite news |title=Det største norske dampskib. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |newspaper=Fædrelandsvennen |date=4 September 1914 |page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Stabelavløpning. |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |newspaper=Agderposten |date=7 September 1914 |page=1}}</ref> and commissioned in October of the same year. As built, the ship was {{convert|357|ft|5|in|m}} long ([[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]]) and {{convert|48|ft|0|in|m}} [[beam (nautical)|abeam]], a [[mean]] [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|27|ft|2|in|m}}.<ref name=lloyds/> ''America'' was assessed at 3,706 [[Gross register tonnage|GRT]], {{NRT|2,305}} and 5,800 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref name=lloyds/> The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 310 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]] [[triple-expansion steam engine]], with cylinders of {{convert|25|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|41|in|cm|adj=on}}, and {{convert|68|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter with a {{convert|45|in|cm|adj=on}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]], that drove a single screw propeller, and moved the ship at up to {{convert|11.0|kn|mph km/h}}.<ref name=lloyds/>


==Operational history==
==Operational history==
After completion ''America'' was put on the Norway-USA route connecting the East Coast ports of [[Boston]] and [[Philadelphia]] with [[Bergen]] and [[Kristiania]].
After completion ''America'' was put on the Norway-USA route connecting the East Coast ports of [[Boston]] and [[Philadelphia]] with [[Bergen]] and [[Kristiania]].


The vessel loaded up cargo, which included among other things granite, at Stavanger and then Bergen and departed for her maiden voyage on November 3, 1914 for [[Havana]] via Boston and other ports.<ref name=hh>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, November 5, 1914, p.7</ref> The ship arrived at Boston on November 21<ref name=hh1>Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 1914, p.19</ref> and departed the next day for Philadelphia where she arrived two days later.<ref name=hh2>Tønsbergs Blad, November 28, 1914, p.2</ref> From Philadelphia ''America'' continued on her journey, called at [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]] on November 28 before proceeding to Havana the next day. ''America'' arrived in Havana on December 4,<ref name=hh5>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 5, 1914, p.7</ref> unloaded her cargo and departed Cuba on December 11 for [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] which she reached two days later.<ref name=hh3>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 14, 1914, p.6</ref><ref name=hh4>Tønsbergs Blad, December 19, 1914, p.2</ref> After taking on cargo, the ship departed for Kristiania via Gulf ports and Newport News and arrived at her destination on January 29, 1915.<ref name=hh6>Tønsbergs Blad, January 30, 1915, p.2</ref>
The vessel loaded up cargo, which included among other things granite, at Stavanger and then Bergen and departed for her maiden voyage on November 3, 1914 for [[Havana]] via Boston and other ports.<ref name=hh>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, November 5, 1914, p.7</ref> The ship arrived at Boston on November 21<ref name=hh1>Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 1914, p.19</ref> and departed the next day for Philadelphia where she arrived two days later.<ref name=hh2>Tønsbergs Blad, November 28, 1914, p.2</ref> From Philadelphia ''America'' continued on her journey, called at [[Newport News, Virginia|Newport News]] on November 28 before proceeding to Havana the next day. ''America'' arrived in Havana on December 4,<ref name=hh5>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 5, 1914, p.7</ref> unloaded her cargo and departed Cuba on December 11 for [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]] which she reached two days later.<ref name=hh3>Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 14, 1914, p.6</ref><ref name=hh4>Tønsbergs Blad, December 19, 1914, p.2</ref> After taking on cargo, the ship departed for Kristiania via Gulf ports and Newport News and arrived at her destination on January 29, 1915.<ref name=hh6>Tønsbergs Blad, January 30, 1915, p.2</ref>
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==References==
==References==

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{{coord|57|23|N|1|10|E|title=yes}}


{{May 1915 shipwrecks}}
{{May 1915 shipwrecks}}

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{{coord|57|23|N|1|10|E|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:America}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:America}}
[[Category:1914 ships]]
[[Category:1914 ships]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Norway]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of Norway]]
[[Category:Steamships of Norway]]
[[Category:Steamships of Norway]]
[[Category:World War I merchant ships of Norway]]
[[Category:World War I merchant ships of Norway]]

Latest revision as of 22:32, 2 May 2023

History
Norway
NameAmerica
OwnerA/S Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen
OperatorA/S Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen
BuilderSørlandets Skibsbyggeri, Fevig
CostNOK 1,297,000.57
Yard number169
Launched3 September 1914
ChristenedAmerica
CommissionedOctober 1914
HomeportTønsberg
Identification
FateSunk, 2 May 1915
General characteristics
TypeCargo ship
Tonnage
Length357 ft 5 in (108.94 m)
Beam48 ft 0 in (14.63 m)
Depth27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
Installed power310 Nhp[1]
PropulsionNorth Eastern Marine Engineering Co. 3-cylinder triple expansion
Speed11.0 knots

America was a steam cargo ship built in 1914 by the Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri of Fevig for the Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen. She was ordered by the line before being acquired by Wilhelm Wilhelmsen.

Design and construction

[edit]

In 1913 an English firm Fearnley & Eger and Wilhelm Wilhelmsen established the "Norwegian Africa and Australia Line" (NAAL). At about the same time the two companies also took over the "Norge Mexico Gulf Linjen" (NMGL) involved in oil and oil products transportation to South America. NMGL ordered a new ship in 1913 before the acquisition, and America was completed for Wilhelm Wilhelmson for NOK 1,297,000.57 next year. The ship was laid down in 1913 at Sørlandets Skibsbyggeri shipyard in Fevig, launched on 3 September 1914 (yard number 169)[2][3] and commissioned in October of the same year. As built, the ship was 357 feet 5 inches (108.94 m) long (between perpendiculars) and 48 feet 0 inches (14.63 m) abeam, a mean draft of 27 feet 2 inches (8.28 m).[1] America was assessed at 3,706 GRT, 2,305 NRT and 5,800 DWT.[1] The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 310 nhp triple-expansion steam engine, with cylinders of 25-inch (64 cm), 41-inch (100 cm), and 68-inch (170 cm) diameter with a 45-inch (110 cm) stroke, that drove a single screw propeller, and moved the ship at up to 11.0 knots (12.7 mph; 20.4 km/h).[1]

Operational history

[edit]

After completion America was put on the Norway-USA route connecting the East Coast ports of Boston and Philadelphia with Bergen and Kristiania.

The vessel loaded up cargo, which included among other things granite, at Stavanger and then Bergen and departed for her maiden voyage on November 3, 1914 for Havana via Boston and other ports.[4] The ship arrived at Boston on November 21[5] and departed the next day for Philadelphia where she arrived two days later.[6] From Philadelphia America continued on her journey, called at Newport News on November 28 before proceeding to Havana the next day. America arrived in Havana on December 4,[7] unloaded her cargo and departed Cuba on December 11 for Galveston which she reached two days later.[8][9] After taking on cargo, the ship departed for Kristiania via Gulf ports and Newport News and arrived at her destination on January 29, 1915.[10]

America departed for her next and final voyage from Kristiania to Boston on February 25, 1915. She carried about 7,000 bales of cellulose, 1,400 bales of tree pulp, 1,800 boxes of canned goods and was not fully loaded.[11] The ship arrived at Boston on March 13,[12] and after unloading left Boston on March 19 for Philadelphia, arriving there three days later.[13][14]

Sinking

[edit]

America departed from Philadelphia on 28 March 1915 for her final voyage to Bergen with approximately 5,000 tons of general cargo. She had to stop at Kirkwall for inspection by the British authorities and spent 4 days there, departing 16 April 1915 to Sunderland. Upon arrival there next day, she had to unload part of her cargo including oil, leather and food supplies deemed to be contraband by the British. She left from Sunderland on 1 May 1915 with only 1,500 tons of cargo.[15] Shortly after 22:00 on May 1, about 135 nautical miles (250 km) east-northeast from the Longstone Lighthouse the ship was struck on port side in her engine room by a torpedo. The vessel quickly filled up with water, forcing her Captain Johan Endresen to order the crew to abandon ship. Three lifeboats were lowered and all 37 crew left the ship.[15][16] America sank stern first at about 00:50 on May 2 in an approximate position 57°23′N 1°10′E / 57.383°N 1.167°E / 57.383; 1.167. The torpedo was launched by the German submarine U-41.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships. London: Lloyd's Register. 1915–16.
  2. ^ "Det største norske dampskib". Fædrelandsvennen. 4 September 1914. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Stabelavløpning". Agderposten. 7 September 1914. p. 1.
  4. ^ Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, November 5, 1914, p.7
  5. ^ Philadelphia Inquirer, November 22, 1914, p.19
  6. ^ Tønsbergs Blad, November 28, 1914, p.2
  7. ^ Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 5, 1914, p.7
  8. ^ Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, December 14, 1914, p.6
  9. ^ Tønsbergs Blad, December 19, 1914, p.2
  10. ^ Tønsbergs Blad, January 30, 1915, p.2
  11. ^ Aftenposten, February 28, 1915, p.5
  12. ^ Tønsbergs Blad, March 16, 1915, p.2
  13. ^ Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, March 22, 1915, p.6
  14. ^ Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende, March 24, 1915, p.6
  15. ^ a b ""America"'s undergang". Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende. 7 May 1915. p. 3.
  16. ^ ""America"'s undergang. Maskinmesteren interviewet". Norges Handels og Sjøfartstidende. 6 May 1915. p. 3.

References

[edit]

57°23′N 1°10′E / 57.383°N 1.167°E / 57.383; 1.167

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