SS Kenwood Bridge
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Namesake | Kenwood Bridge Co. |
| Owner |
|
| Operator |
|
| Ordered | 16 November 1917 |
| Builder | Submarine Boat Company, Newark |
| Yard number | 79 |
| Laid down | 2 June 1919 |
| Launched | 25 September 1919 |
| Sponsored by | Miss Marion H. Willis |
| Completed | October 1919 |
| In service | 29 November 1919 |
| Homeport | |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Wrecked, 13 March 1921 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Design 1023 ship |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 324.0 ft (98.8 m) |
| Beam | 46.2 ft (14.1 m) |
| Draft | 22 ft 9+1⁄2 in (6.947 m) (loaded) |
| Depth | 25.0 ft (7.6 m) |
| Installed power | 1,500 ihp |
| Propulsion | Westinghouse Electric steam turbine double reduction geared to one screw |
| Speed | 10+1⁄2 knots (19.4 km/h) |
Kenwood Bridge was a steam cargo ship built in 1919 by Submarine Boat Company of Newark for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) as part of the wartime shipbuilding program of the Emergency Fleet Corporation (EFC) to restore the nation's Merchant Marine. In early 1920 the vessel was sold to Spanish company and renamed Leonita. In March 1921 while on passage to Italy with a cargo of coal she developed a leak and foundered.
Design and construction
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. Design 1023 cargo ship was a standard cargo freighter of approximately 5,300 tons deadweight designed by Submarine Boat Corp. and adopted by USSB.
Kenwood Bridge was part of the second optional order for 68 additional vessels placed by USSB with Submarine Boat Corp. on 16 November 1917. The ship was laid down at the shipbuilder's yard on 2 June 1919 (yard number 79) and launched on 25 September 1919, with Miss Marion H. Willis, daughter of Paul Willis, President of Kenwood Bridge Company of Chicago, being the sponsor.[1][2] The vessel was named after the company, one of many providers of fabricated steel for the shipyard.
Similar to all vessels of this class the ship had three islands and one main deck, had machinery situated amidships and had four main holds, both fore and aft, which allowed for the carriage of variety of goods and merchandise. The vessel also possessed all the modern machinery for quick loading and unloading of cargo from five large hatches, including ten winches and ten booms.[3] She was also equipped with wireless apparatus and had electrical lights installed along the deck.
As built, the ship was 324.0 feet (98.8 m) long (between perpendiculars) and 46.2 feet (14.1 m) abeam and had a depth of 25.0 feet (7.6 m).[4] Kenwood Bridge was originally assessed at 3,545 GRT and 2,174 NRT and had deadweight of approximately 5,300.[3][4] The vessel had a steel hull with double bottom throughout and a single turbine rated at 1,500 shp, double reduction geared to a single screw propeller, that moved the ship at up to 10+1⁄2 knots (12.1 mph; 19.4 km/h).[4] The steam for the engine was supplied by two Babcock & Wilcox Water Tube boilers fitted for oil fuel.[3]
The sea trials were held on November 5 during which the vessel performed satisfactorily.[5] Subsequently the vessel was inspected by the USSB representatives and officially accepted by them on 29 November 1919.[3]
Operational history
References
- ^ "Kenwood Bridge (2219051)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
- ^ "Kenwood Bridge Our Seventy-Ninth Ship". Speed Up. Vol. II, no. 36. 27 September 1919. p. 13.
- ^ a b c d Contract and Requisitioned Steamships taken Over on August 3, 1917. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. 31 January 1920. p. 19.
- ^ a b c Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington, DC: United States Printing Office. 1919–1920. p. 123.
- ^ "Ship News". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 6 November 1919. p. 21.
36°24′00″N 07°39′00″W / 36.40000°N 7.65000°W
