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Wikipedia

SS West Kasson

January 07, 2023

West Kasson was a steam cargo ship built in 1918–1919 by Long Beach Shipbuilding Company of Long Beach 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. The vessel initially operated on the round-the-world route from the West Coast of the United States via East Asia and Spain before being shifted to serve the Gulf to Europe and South America trade in 1922. In 1926 she was sold to the W. R. Grace and Company and renamed Cuzco. In her new role the ship operated chiefly between the ports of the Pacific Northwest and various Chilean and Peruvian ports. In 1940 the ship was again sold and transferred into Panamanian registry and renamed Carmona. The vessel continued sailing between South America and the United States and was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-160 on one of her regular trips in July 1942.

SS Carmona in September 1941, showing her neutrality markings.
History
United States;Panama
Name
  • West Kasson (1919–1926)
  • Cuzco (1926–1940)
  • Carmona (1940–1942)
Owner
Operator
Port of registry
Ordered10 July 1918
BuilderLong Beach Shipbuilding Co., Long Beach
Cost$1,859,000.65
Yard number130
Laid down15 October 1918
Launched15 March 1919
Sponsored byMrs. John F. Craig
Commissioned30 June 1919
Maiden voyage29 July 1919
Identification
FateSunk, 18 July 1942
General characteristics
TypeDesign 1019 Cargo ship
Tonnage
Length410.5 ft (125.1 m)
Beam54.3 ft (16.6 m)
Depth27.2 ft (8.3 m)
Installed power2800 Ihp, 359 Nhp
PropulsionLlewellyn Iron Works 3-cylinder triple expansion
Speed10+1⁄2 knots (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph)
Crew45

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. Most of these new vessels were known as the West ships as they were built by several shipyards on the West Coast of the United States and all were given names that began with the word West. Design 1019 cargo ship was among the designs adopted by USSB, and was a standard cargo freighter of approximately 8,800 deadweight tonnage designed by Theodore E. Ferris.

West Kasson was part of the order for eight vessels placed by USSB with the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co. on 10 July 1918 and was laid down on 15 October 1918 and launched on 15 March 1919 (yard number 130), with Mrs. John F. Craig, wife of John F. Craig, chairman of the board of directors of the shipbuilding company, being the sponsor.[2] The launch was witnessed by a large crowd of 3,000 shipyard employees consisting of workers and management, and approximately 2,000 spectators.[3] The vessel was launched approximately 80% complete with only her boilers and engine cylinders needed to be installed.[3] Just as with many other vessels being built for the Shipping Board, her name was picked by Mrs. Woodrow Wilson who often chose Native American words for naming purposes.

Similar to all vessels of this class the ship had two main decks and was built on the three-island principle of ship construction. She had her machinery situated amidships and had five main holds which allowed for the carriage of a variety of goods and merchandise.[4] The vessel also possessed all the modern machinery for quick loading and unloading of cargo from five large hatches, including ten winches and eleven booms. She was also equipped with wireless apparatus and submarine signal system and had electric lights installed along the decks.[4]

As built, the ship was 410.5 feet (125.1 m) long (between perpendiculars) and 54.3 feet (16.6 m) abeam, and had a depth of 27.2 feet (8.3 m).[5] West Kasson was originally assessed at 5,937 GRT and 4,525 NRT and had deadweight tonnage of approximately 8,570.[5][4] The vessel had a steel hull and a single 2,500 ihp triple expansion steam engine, with cylinders of 24+1⁄2-inch (62 cm), 41+1⁄2-inch (105 cm) and 72-inch (180 cm) diameter with a 48-inch (120 cm) stroke that moved the ship at up to 10.5 knots (12.1 mph; 19.4 km/h).[5][6] The steam for the engine was supplied by three Scotch marine boilers fitted for oil fuel.

The four hour long dock trial was successfully held on 25 June 1919 after which the ship sailed to San Pedro.[7] The sea trials were held on June 28 in the channel just outside the harbor during which the ship performed satisfactorily.[8] Following their successful completion, the ship was delivered to her owners and officially accepted by them on June 30.[9][10]

Operational history

Under USSB control (1919-1925)

Following delivery to the Shipping Board, West Kasson was allocated to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, who inaugurated a round-the-world service to promote American shipping.[11] The steamer then proceeded on her shakedown cruise to San Francisco for loading and arrived there on July 9. The next day the vessel was ordered to relocate for docking elsewhere and left her anchorage. During her trip West Kasson suddenly went on a spree of wild turns when the tiller apparently failed to obey the orders, and eventually the pilot was forced to order to stop the vessel and called in a tug to tow the ship to her new anchorage.[12] Following this incident, the Shipping Board ordered the ship to have another trial trip which was conducted on July 18 and after its successful completion the ship was again accepted by USSB.[13] West Kasson then loaded her cargo and departed San Francisco for Manila, Shanghai and Hong Kong on July 29.[14] After visiting Chinese ports the steamer returned to Manila where she took on board a cargo of copra and from there proceeded to Java to load more of the same cargo and take it to Rotterdam.[15] West Kasson reached her destination on November 23 and upon unloading her cargo left for Hampton Roads in ballast on December 4.[16][17] The freighter was supposed to reach United States around December 15, but was unexpectedly delayed on her journey prompting widespread speculations about her fate.[18] West Kasson finally arrived at Newport News on December 29, thus successfully concluding her five month long maiden voyage.[19] Originally, the ship was supposed to stay in the Atlantic, but the high demand for cargo on the West Coast prompted the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. to send West Kasson west. She proceeded to Baltimore for loading in early January and after embarking 7,300 tons of general cargo sailed for California on 29 January 1920. After passing through the Panama Canal on February 5, the ship reached San Pedro on February 17 after largely an uneventful passage.[20]

Following successful completion of a round the world scout trip through East Asia and the Mediterranean by West Kasson, Pacific Mail Steamship Co. decided to expand this service adding more vessels to the trade route.[21] The freighter departed San Francisco for the inaugural round-the-world trip to a variety of ports in the Far East, India and the Mediterranean on 12 March 1920.[22] She returned to Boston on July 30 bringing general cargo such as sugar from Java and cotton and skins from India to the East Coast ports.[23] Upon discharging part of her cargo, West Kasson loaded at Boston and proceeded to New York and Baltimore to unload and load more cargo. She left Baltimore on September 4 and after passing through the Panama Canal arrived in San Francisco on 4 October 1920 successfully completing another round the world journey covering more than 28,000 miles in the process.[24][25][26] West Kasson made one more round-the-world journey while under control of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co., returning to Baltimore on 11 March 1921 to discharge approximately 1,000 tons of manganese ore.[27] On 10 April 1921 it was reported that the Pacific Mail Steamship Co. decided to return four large vessels, including West Kasson, to the Shipping Board citing lack of cargo in all of their foreign ports of service.[28] The vessel arrived at San Pedro on April 20 and then proceeded to San Francisco where she remained berthed awaiting further assignment.[29]

In June 1921 SS West Hartland who was supposed to take a large cargo of lumber to Japan collided with another steamer, SS Governor, and consequently was libeled and had to remain in port awaiting the trial. The Shipping Board dispatched West Kasson to Portland to take her place under control of the Pacific Steamship Company.[30] After taking on board nearly 2,700,000 feet of fir and cedar lumber, West Kasson departed Portland on 5 July 1921 bound for Japanese ports of Kobe and Yokohama.[31] Initially, the freighter was supposed to return directly to the West Coast, however, upon arrival in Japan at the end of July the vessel was rerouted to Singapore resulting in another round-the-world trip.[32] West Kasson departed London for New York on 29 November 1921,[33] however, on her way back 'she lost her propeller and was forced to put in into Bermuda on December 18 for repairs.[32][34] She spent 59 days there being repaired before departing for Mobile on 15 February 1922.[35] While in Bermuda, the ship was allocated to the Mississippi Shipping Company which operated two different lines from the Gulf ports, one to Le Havre, Antwerp and Ghent and the other to the east coast of South America.

After reaching New Orleans on February 22, West Kasson proceeded to load general cargo in several Gulf ports and cleared from Charleston on 5 April 1922 bound for Antwerp and Havre.[36] She reached Le Havre on April 22[37] and after discharging her cargo sailed back to New Orleans in ballast on May 5.[38] The steamer continued to operate from the Gulf ports of New Orleans, Mobile, Galveston, Port of Tampa and Charleston to Havre and Antwerp through 1926. She mostly carried cotton, wheat, case oil, phosphate rock and lumber on her transatlantic travels to Low Countries, usually returning home in ballast. For example, West Kasson arrived at Tampa on 20 March 1923 to load part cargo of 3,300 tons of phosphate rock for delivery to Dunkerque.[39][40] Incidentally, on the same day the ship was raided by local law enforcement officers who confiscated between 6 and 7 pounds of opium.[41] From mid 1923 through the end of 1924 she also made trips to various ports of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. For example, the ship left Port Arthur on 11 July 1923 loaded with case oil and rice bound for Buenos Aires and Montevideo.[42][43] On her way back from South America she usually carried various agricultural and meat products as well as coffee. For example, the freighter left Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro, Santos and Vitória at the end of July 1924 carrying nearly 70,000 60-kilogram bags of coffee to New Orleans.[44][45][46]

Early in 1925 the vessel returned to her travels to France and Belgium and sailed from New Orleans on 1 February 1925 fully laden with wheat, lumber and case oil bound for Le Havre and Antwerp. After discharging part of her cargo in Havre, West Kasson proceeded to Antwerp. On March 1 While docked there a fire ignited in her holds which burnt for several hours but was eventually contained. The ship suffered heavy damage amidships and had her entire engine room flooded, however, most of her cargo of wheat remained undamaged and was safely unloaded once the fire was completely extinguished.[47][48][49] After completing all necessary repairs, the vessel departed Europe on April 18 for Mobile and arrived at New Orleans in May where she was returned to the Shipping Board.[50]

W. R. Grace (1926-1940)

On 23 January 1926 it was reported that West Kasson together with another Shipping Board ship, SS West Inskip, was sold to W. R. Grace and Company.[51] W. R. Grace paid $55,705 for West Kasson and was required as part of the sale to maintain regular service between the West Coast of the United States and the West Coast of South America for five years.[52] The freighter was delivered to Grace Line in New Orleans and departed it on 18 March 1926 in ballast. After passing through the Panama Canal, she picked up part cargo of coffee and sugar in Central America and delivered it to San Francisco on April 13.[53] West Kasson then immediately sailed out north to the Puget Sound ports to load up for her upcoming trip to South America. The vessel had her new cargo booms installed in Seattle before proceeding to Tacoma area to load flour, lumber and box shooks.[54][55] She left Tacoma on May 4 bound for Pisco and Chilean ports of Valparaiso and Arica.[56] The steamer reached her destination in mid-June and upon discharging her cargo she loaded 6,550 tons of nitrates and approximately 1,100 tons of copper ore. West Kasson then proceeded to Hawaii where she arrived on August 1 to unload her cargo of fertilizer.[57] The vessel then continued to Tacoma where she arrived on August 23 to discharge ore for the local ASARCO smelter, successfully concluding her first full trip under new ownership.[58] West Kasson immediately left on her second journey loaded with flour, lumber and box shooks for Peru and Chile on 13 September 1926.[59] She sailed back from Callao on November 2 loaded again with nitrates and various ores. On December 6 while being off the southern coast of Mexico, West Kasson sent out a distress signal stating that she had fire in one of her forward holds but not requesting any assistance. The vessel's later messages stated that the fire was under control.[60][61] Subsequently, the ship owners denied that there was any fire at all, as they claimed a chemical reaction between lead and silver ore concentrates produced fumes which were mistaken for fire.[62] West Kasson safely reached San Pedro ten days without any signs of damage, and later proceeded north to load more cargo for South America. In late November W. R. Grace decided to change the names of all of their recently acquired vessels to various Inca names, with West Kasson becoming Cuzco.[63]

The vessel continued serving roughly the same route through the end of her career with W. R. Grace. On her way down south the ship usually loaded lumber, wheat, flour and paper at various ports of the Pacific Northwest, then would proceed to San Pedro where case oil and general merchandise were loaded. On her trips up north she carried nitrates, chiefly nitrate of soda, in addition to various ores, such as copper, gold and silver. For example, in October 1929 the freighter brought into Tacomea 6,000 tons of copper ore, and in January 1932 Cuzco cleared out from the West Coast ports fully loaded with 1,500 tons of wheat, 1,500,000 feet of lumber in addition to other cargo and 250 tons of infusorial earth.[64][65] In August 1928 W. R. Grace announced that several of their freighters will be equipped with refrigerating machinery. Cuzco was the first vessel to have such machinery installed in November of the same year, allowing her to carry approximately 250 tons of perishable goods, such as dairy products and produce.[66] Following the installation, Cuzco was able to carry 2,300 cases of fresh eggs as well as butter and apples to Peru on one of her voyages in 1930.[67]

In 1930 Post Office Department awarded W. R. Grace a contract to carry mail to various South American destinations. This resulted in extension of company's shipping services to include extra destinations both in Chile and Peru, with Cuzco becoming the first vessel to inaugurate such mail service for the company in July 1930.[68][69] As part of the mail contract W. R. Grace placed an order for several new speedier vessels to take over the route. Early in 1932 the company realigned their services shifting six older ships, including Cuzco, to take over the Panama Mail Service Line route covering nearly twenty ports along the Central America and Mexico Pacific coast.[70][71] In addition, all six vessels were to make stops and pick up cargo at Vancouver and had their passenger accommodations somewhat enlarged.[72][73] Cuzco departed California in June 1932 to start her new service, carrying among other cargo a repaired fishing motor boat on her deck. She also had corrals erected both aft and fore for mules to be transported between ports along her new route.[74] The new service went into full effect a year later when twenty ports were added to service including Corinto and Acapulco.[75]

During her career Cuzco occasionally carried unusual cargo. For example, in September 1933 the vessel delivered about 24,000 pounds of aerial bombs destined for the Armed Forces of Honduras and El Salvador, and in November 1934 she brought back approximately 500 tons of sulfur from South America to San Pedro.[76][77] In February 1939 she also transported part order of seven Northrop A-17 bombers from Northrop factory in California for the Peruvian Air Force.[78] Even though Cuzco had limited passenger accommodations, she carried some notable people during her trips. For example, in May 1928 the vessel brought in Laura de la Puente Ganoza, one of the Peru's best dancers to study dance in Los Angeles.[79] Similarly, in December 1934 the ship carried Willard Galbraith, a renowned diplomat, just appointed as a secretary of the US consulate in Tegucigalpa to assume his new post.[80] Following a military coup against Nicaraguan president Juan Bautista Sacasa, Cuzco was delayed in Corinto on 6 June 1936 awaiting arrival of the exiled president and twelve people from his entourage. The ship then took Sacasa to La Libertad where he disembarked on June 9.[81][82]

During her extensive career Cuzco had several mishaps. On 27 October 1935 while on one of her regular trip from San Pedro to Valparaiso, the ship went aground on Lempa shoals in Jiquilisco Bay on El Salvador's Pacific coast.[83] The vessel was heavily pounded by the waves and started to list prompting the crew to abandon her. All crew was rescued by Gulf-Pacific Mail Line steamer SS Point Ancha where they remained for the duration of salvage work. Meanwhile, a salvage steamer Merritt was dispatched from Jamaica to assist in refloating operations, and a smaller one from sent from the Panama Canal area.[84][85] Both tugs arrived on the scene in early November and after an inspection determined the vessel's hull was intact, an attempt to refloat the grounded steamer was made. After jettisoning part of Cuzco's deckload of lumber, she was successfully refloated on November 5 and proceeded under her own power to the Panama Canal for inspection and repairs.[86]

On 28 January 1936 Cuzco arrived in Wilmington carrying her usual cargo of nitrates, sulfur and ore concentrates. Next day the unloading started using a clamshell bucket and a crane. During the unloading, the clamshell bucket produced sparks several times when hitting the sulfur rocks, and on one occasion such spark started a fire. The burning was fueled both by sulfur and treated ore concentrates and was threatening to get out of control and destroy the ship, however, the firemen were able to deploy two fireboats in time to quickly extinguish the blaze.[87]

Late in 1939 the Maritime Commission (MARCOM) offered W. R. Grace to put three modern Type C2 vessels in operation between the West Coast and South America. In exchange, MARCOM was to get six World War I era steamers being operated by Grace Line as prepayment.[88] While Grace Line eventually agreed to purchase new vessels for their South American operations, the deal with MARCOM did not include any of their aging ships. Instead, in March 1940 it was announced that W. R. Grace agreed to sell three of their vessels, Cuzco, Capac and Charcas to a Panama-based Compañía de Vapores Cardina, S.A, a subsidiary of Belgium-based Compagnie Continentale d’Importation. The new owners were going to engage in tramp shipping, mainly between the United States and Europe.[89][90] At the time of sale Cuzco was on her regular journey to Central and South America transporting her usual cargo including five Arabian horses bought by the government of Colombia.[91] After loading her usual cargo of nitrates and copper and vanadium ore the vessel passed through the Panama Canal on May 5 and continued to New York where she was transferred into Panamanian registry.[92]

In Panamanian registry (1940-1942)

Following arrival in New York in mid-May 1940 Cuzco was renamed Carmona and put under operational control of a newly created company, Carmona Steamship Company. Due to developing disaster in France any potential trips to Europe became impossible. Carmona then sailed from New York for New Orleans where she loaded 7,000 tons of salt for delivery to Tokoyama. The freighter passed through the Panama Canal on 20–21 July 1940 and after making a short stop in Los Angeles in early August continued to Japan.[93] She returned to Seattle on 7 February 1941 and upon loading her cargo the vessel left for South Africa on February 17.[94] The ship then proceeded to the Atlantic where she entered a trade route from the east coast of South America to New York.

Sinking

SS Carmona (Master Charles Beke) was en route from Buenos Aires to the US with a cargo of 7,138 tons of linseed in bulk. The ship was sailing alone and unarmed. At 11:27 local time on July 18, 1942 in position 10°58′N 61°20′W / 10.967°N 61.333°W / 10.967; -61.333, southeast of Trinidad, German submarine U-160 under command of Georg Lassen launched four torpedoes and hit Carmona on the starboard side. The first torpedo struck the engine room, and killed four crew members. The second hit at #2 hatch about 10 minutes later, and the other two struck shortly after. The ship turned on her side and sunk at 12:00 noon. The Master ordered to abandon ship and the survivors were picked up by a United States Navy Patrol Boat USS YPC-68 and taken to Port of Spain. There were 31 survivors.[95]

Notes

  1. ^ a b Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1930.
  2. ^ "Big Steel Freighter Launched At Harbor". Los Angeles Evening Express. Vol. 49, no. 394 (II ed.). 15 March 1919. p. 9. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  3. ^ a b "Huge Steel Freighter Is Successfully Launched At Long Beach Yards Today". Long Beach Press. 15 March 1919. p. 18. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  4. ^ a b c Register of Ships Owned by United States Shipping Board. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. 1 August 1920. p. 107.
  5. ^ a b c Merchant Vessels of the United States. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. 1922–1923. p. 122.
  6. ^ Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships. London: Lloyd's Register. 1921–1922.
  7. ^ "To Make Trial Trip". The Los Angeles Times. 23 June 1919. p. 8. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ "West Kasson To Make Trial Trip Tomorrow". The Long Beach Press. 27 June 1919. p. 7. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ "1919 Construction Record of U.S. Yards". The Marine Review. Vol. 50, no. 2. February 1920. p. 112.
  10. ^ "New Freighter Is Taken Over By Government". Long Beach Press. 1 July 1919. p. 14. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  11. ^ "Pacific Mail Gets Long Beach Steamer". San Pedro Daily Pilot. Vol. 6, no. 231. 30 June 1919. p. 1. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  12. ^ "Pacific Coast Shipping News". The San Francisco Examiner. 10 July 1919. p. 21. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  13. ^ "West Kasson Accepted". The San Francisco Examiner. 19 July 1919. p. 17. Retrieved 9 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  14. ^ "The Almanac: American Ports". New York Tribune. 31 July 1919. p. 8.
  15. ^ "Pacific Coast Shipping News: Port Notes". The San Francisco Examiner. 1 October 1919. p. 25. Retrieved 11 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  16. ^ "Ledger Shipping News: Foreign Ports". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 4 December 1919. p. 10.
  17. ^ "Ledger Shipping News: Foreign Ports". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 8 December 1919. p. 10.
  18. ^ "Fear Felt For Coast Ship West Kasson". Oakland Tribune. 26 December 1919. p. 13. Retrieved 11 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  19. ^ "The Tribune Almanac". New York Tribune. 30 December 1919. p. 18.
  20. ^ "Movements of Ocean Vessels". The Panama Canal Record. Vol. XIII, no. 26. 11 February 1920. p. 374.
  21. ^ "Round-the-World Cargo Trips Plan Of Pacific Mail". The San Francisco Examiner. 28 February 1920. p. 5. Retrieved 11 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  22. ^ "Marine Exchange Shipping News". The San Francisco Examiner. 13 March 1920. p. 22. Retrieved 11 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  23. ^ "American Steamer In World Shipping, Returns From Long Sea Trip". The Shreveport Times. 31 July 1920. p. 10. Retrieved 11 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  24. ^ "West Kasson Ends Cruise of World". The Honolulu Advertiser. 28 August 1920. p. 10. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  25. ^ "Movements of Ocean Vessels". The Panama Canal Record. Vol. XIV, no. 7. 29 September 1920. p. 88.
  26. ^ "Vessel Movements". The Vancouver Sun. 5 October 1920. p. 14.
  27. ^ "Brings Manganese Ore". The Evening Sun. 11 March 1921. p. 34. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  28. ^ "P.M. Drops Freighters". The Honolulu Advertiser. 10 April 1921. p. 6. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  29. ^ "Shipping News". San Pedro Daily Pilot. Vol. 8, no. 172. 20 April 1921. p. 6.
  30. ^ "Maritime Miscellany". New York Tribune. 19 June 1921. p. 21. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  31. ^ "Large Lumber Cargo For Orient Leaves Portland ". The Eugene Guard. 5 July 1921. p. 1. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  32. ^ a b "West Kasson Is Safe At Bermuda; Being Repaired". Oregon Daily Journal. 29 December 1921. p. 14. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  33. ^ "Marine Reports: Foreign Ports". New York Tribune. 1 December 1921. p. 22.
  34. ^ "Maritime Miscellany". New York Herald. 20 December 1921. p. 23. Retrieved 12 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  35. ^ "Shipping News: Foreign Ports". New York Herald. 21 February 1922. p. 15.
  36. ^ "Ship News Of The World Continued: American Ports". New York Herald. 6 April 1922. p. 22.
  37. ^ "Buitenlandsche Havens". De Maasbode. 24 April 1922. p. 3.
  38. ^ "Buitenlandsche Havens". Scheepvaart. 5 May 1922. p. 2.
  39. ^ "Daily Marine Record". The Tampa Tribune. 21 March 1923. p. 15.
  40. ^ "Daily Marine Record". The Tampa Tribune. 22 March 1923. p. 15.
  41. ^ "Inspectors Find Opium On Vessel". The Tampa Tribune. 22 March 1923. p. 15. Retrieved 14 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  42. ^ "West Kasson To Load Rice". Port Arthur News. 3 July 1923. p. 10.
  43. ^ "News Of The Ships And Shipping Men". The Philadelphia Inquirer. 20 July 1923. p. 22.
  44. ^ "Manifests of Coffee: Rio de Janeiro". Wileman's Brazilian Review. Vol. 15, no. 31. 30 July 1924. p. 1016.
  45. ^ "Manifests of Coffee: Victoria". Wileman's Brazilian Review. Vol. 15, no. 32. 6 August 1924. p. 1052.
  46. ^ "Manifests of Coffee: Santos". Wileman's Brazilian Review. Vol. 15, no. 33. 13 August 1924. p. 1085.
  47. ^ "Ship West Kasson Afire At Antwerp". Rutland Daily Herald. 2 March 1925. p. 1. Retrieved 14 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  48. ^ "Gemengd". Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant. 4 March 1925. p. 4.
  49. ^ "Scheepstijdingen". Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad. 5 March 1925. p. 3.
  50. ^ "Buitenlandsche Havens". De Maasbode. 2 May 1925. p. 4.
  51. ^ "Grace Buys Steamers". The San Francisco Examiner. 23 January 1926. p. 15. Retrieved 14 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  52. ^ Merchant Marine Investigation: Hearings before The Committee On Merchant Marine, Radio, And Fisheries; House Of Representatives; First Session. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office. 1932. p. 189.
  53. ^ "Examiner Shipping News". The San Francisco Examiner. 14 April 1926. p. 24. Retrieved 17 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  54. ^ "Many Vessels Are Due At Seattle To Load And Discharge". Victoria Daily Times. 20 April 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  55. ^ "London Shipper To Sail Today". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 1 May 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  56. ^ "Arrivals-Departures". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 5 May 1926. p. 12.
  57. ^ "Big Nitrate Cargo". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. 2 August 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  58. ^ "Smelter Docks Busy Yesterday". The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 24 August 1926. p. 10. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  59. ^ "News Of Ships And Sailings In Pacific Ports". The Los Angeles Times. 14 September 1926. p. 48. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  60. ^ "Steamer Afire Off Coast, Hear". The Pomona Progress. 7 December 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  61. ^ "Fire Aboard West Kasson Is Subdued". San Pedro Daily Pilot. 7 December 1926. p. 1. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  62. ^ "Str. West Kasson Not On Fire". The Gazette. 8 December 1926. p. 18. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  63. ^ "Shoreside Shorts". The Honolulu Advertiser. 1 December 1926. p. 14. Retrieved 18 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  64. ^ "Cuzco Brings Copper Ore". Tacoma Daily Ledger. 31 October 1929. p. 9. Retrieved 19 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  65. ^ "Full Cargo". News-Pilot. 14 January 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 19 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  66. ^ "Refrigerator Ship". The San Francisco Examiner. 27 August 1928. p. 18. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  67. ^ "Cuzco To Carry Out Perishable Cargo". The Long Beach Sun. 24 March 1930. p. 7. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  68. ^ "Cuzco To Carry Mail To Chile". Oakland Tribune. 1 May 1930. p. 34. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  69. ^ "Mail Service Links Nations". Tacoma Daily Ledger. 12 July 1930. p. 1. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  70. ^ "Pair Of Liners To Quit Coast". The Los Angeles Times. 19 March 1932. p. 7. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  71. ^ "Control Shifted". News-Pilot. 7 April 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  72. ^ "Grace Ships On B.C. Run". Victoria Daily Times. 3 May 1932. p. 16. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  73. ^ "Grace Line To Rebuild Ships". News-Pilot. 17 June 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  74. ^ "Cuzco To Take Out Full Load". News-Pilot. 7 June 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via newspapers.com. 
  75. ^ "Grace To Invade Central America". The Tacoma News Tribune. 12 April 1933. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  76. ^ "Aerial Bombs Shipped South". News-Pilot. 14 September 1933. p. 4. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  77. ^ "Sulphur From South America New Item". News-Pilot. 27 November 1934. p. 5. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  78. ^ "Seven Planes Shipped". The Bakersfield Californian. 27 February 1939. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  79. ^ "Peru's Best Dancer Here For Finishing". The Los Angeles Times. 28 May 1928. p. 19. Retrieved 19 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  80. ^ "Galbraith Going To His New Post". The Los Angeles Times. 27 December 1934. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  81. ^ "Liner Waits For Fleeing President". Victoria Daily Times. 6 June 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  82. ^ "Exiled President Sails To Salvador On Cuzco". News-Pilot. 24 June 1936. p. 2. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  83. ^ "U.S. Ship Aground Off San Salvador". The Evening Sun. 28 October 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  84. ^ "Liner Crew Rescued". The St. Joseph News Press. 29 October 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  85. ^ "Grace Line To Try Refloating Steamer". The Los Angeles Times. 2 November 1935. p. 24. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  86. ^ "Cuzco Refloated". Oakland Tribune. 5 November 1935. p. 29. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  87. ^ "Firemen Fume-Stricken In Quelling Ship Blaze". The Los Angeles Times. 30 January 1936. p. 19. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  88. ^ "Deal For Grace Liners Pending". The Los Angeles Times. 14 December 1939. p. 37. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  89. ^ "U.S. Okays Sale Of Two Ships Owned Here". The Evening Sun. 12 March 1940. p. 38. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  90. ^ "Grace Line Ships Sold". Tacoma News Tribune. 20 March 1940. p. 9. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  91. ^ "Five Arabian Horses Sold To Colombia". The Pomona Progress Bulletin. 16 March 1940. p. 12. Retrieved 20 July 2021 – via Newspapers.com. 
  92. ^ "Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight April 10, 1940, to Midnight May 10, 1940". The Panama Canal Record. Vol. XXXIII, no. 10. 15 May 1940. p. 187.
  93. ^ "Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight July 10, 1940, to Midnight August 10, 1940". The Panama Canal Record. Vol. 34, no. 1. 15 August 1940. p. 10.
  94. ^ "Ship Movements". News-Pilot. 18 February 1941. p. 8.
  95. ^ Helgason, Guðmundur (2017). "SS Carmona". uboat.net. Retrieved July 11, 2017.

Coordinates: 10°58′N 61°20′W / 10.967°N 61.333°W / 10.967; -61.333

References

  • Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1941.
  • Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1930.

January 07, 2023
west, kasson, west, kasson, steam, cargo, ship, built, 1918, 1919, long, beach, shipbuilding, company, long, beach, united, states, shipping, board, ussb, part, wartime, shipbuilding, program, emergency, fleet, corporation, restore, nation, merchant, marine, v. West Kasson was a steam cargo ship built in 1918 1919 by Long Beach Shipbuilding Company of Long Beach 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 The vessel initially operated on the round the world route from the West Coast of the United States via East Asia and Spain before being shifted to serve the Gulf to Europe and South America trade in 1922 In 1926 she was sold to the W R Grace and Company and renamed Cuzco In her new role the ship operated chiefly between the ports of the Pacific Northwest and various Chilean and Peruvian ports In 1940 the ship was again sold and transferred into Panamanian registry and renamed Carmona The vessel continued sailing between South America and the United States and was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U 160 on one of her regular trips in July 1942 SS Carmona in September 1941 showing her neutrality markings HistoryUnited States PanamaNameWest Kasson 1919 1926 Cuzco 1926 1940 Carmona 1940 1942 OwnerUSSB 1919 1926 W R Grace amp Co 1926 1940 Compania de Vapores Cardina S A 1940 1942 OperatorPacific Mail Steamship Co 1919 April 1921 Pacific Steamship Co June 1921 Dec 1921 Mississippi Shipping Co Dec 1921 May 1925 Carmona Steamship Co 1940 1942 Port of registryLos Angeles 1919 1926 New York 1926 1940 Panama City 1940 1942 Ordered10 July 1918BuilderLong Beach Shipbuilding Co Long BeachCost 1 859 000 65Yard number130Laid down15 October 1918Launched15 March 1919Sponsored byMrs John F CraigCommissioned30 June 1919Maiden voyage29 July 1919IdentificationUS official number 218254 code letters LRMW 1919 33 call sign KIKM 1933 40 call sign HPPQ 1941 42 FateSunk 18 July 1942General characteristicsTypeDesign 1019 Cargo shipTonnage5 496 GRT 1 3 443 NRT 1 8 570 DWTLength410 5 ft 125 1 m Beam54 3 ft 16 6 m Depth27 2 ft 8 3 m Installed power2800 Ihp 359 NhpPropulsionLlewellyn Iron Works 3 cylinder triple expansionSpeed10 1 2 knots 19 4 km h 12 1 mph Crew45 Contents 1 Design and Construction 2 Operational history 2 1 Under USSB control 1919 1925 2 2 W R Grace 1926 1940 2 3 In Panamanian registry 1940 1942 2 4 Sinking 3 Notes 4 ReferencesDesign and Construction EditAfter 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 Most of these new vessels were known as the West ships as they were built by several shipyards on the West Coast of the United States and all were given names that began with the word West Design 1019 cargo ship was among the designs adopted by USSB and was a standard cargo freighter of approximately 8 800 deadweight tonnage designed by Theodore E Ferris West Kasson was part of the order for eight vessels placed by USSB with the Long Beach Shipbuilding Co on 10 July 1918 and was laid down on 15 October 1918 and launched on 15 March 1919 yard number 130 with Mrs John F Craig wife of John F Craig chairman of the board of directors of the shipbuilding company being the sponsor 2 The launch was witnessed by a large crowd of 3 000 shipyard employees consisting of workers and management and approximately 2 000 spectators 3 The vessel was launched approximately 80 complete with only her boilers and engine cylinders needed to be installed 3 Just as with many other vessels being built for the Shipping Board her name was picked by Mrs Woodrow Wilson who often chose Native American words for naming purposes Similar to all vessels of this class the ship had two main decks and was built on the three island principle of ship construction She had her machinery situated amidships and had five main holds which allowed for the carriage of a variety of goods and merchandise 4 The vessel also possessed all the modern machinery for quick loading and unloading of cargo from five large hatches including ten winches and eleven booms She was also equipped with wireless apparatus and submarine signal system and had electric lights installed along the decks 4 As built the ship was 410 5 feet 125 1 m long between perpendiculars and 54 3 feet 16 6 m abeam and had a depth of 27 2 feet 8 3 m 5 West Kasson was originally assessed at 5 937 GRT and 4 525 NRT and had deadweight tonnage of approximately 8 570 5 4 The vessel had a steel hull and a single 2 500 ihp triple expansion steam engine with cylinders of 24 1 2 inch 62 cm 41 1 2 inch 105 cm and 72 inch 180 cm diameter with a 48 inch 120 cm stroke that moved the ship at up to 10 5 knots 12 1 mph 19 4 km h 5 6 The steam for the engine was supplied by three Scotch marine boilers fitted for oil fuel The four hour long dock trial was successfully held on 25 June 1919 after which the ship sailed to San Pedro 7 The sea trials were held on June 28 in the channel just outside the harbor during which the ship performed satisfactorily 8 Following their successful completion the ship was delivered to her owners and officially accepted by them on June 30 9 10 Operational history EditUnder USSB control 1919 1925 Edit Following delivery to the Shipping Board West Kasson was allocated to the Pacific Mail Steamship Company who inaugurated a round the world service to promote American shipping 11 The steamer then proceeded on her shakedown cruise to San Francisco for loading and arrived there on July 9 The next day the vessel was ordered to relocate for docking elsewhere and left her anchorage During her trip West Kasson suddenly went on a spree of wild turns when the tiller apparently failed to obey the orders and eventually the pilot was forced to order to stop the vessel and called in a tug to tow the ship to her new anchorage 12 Following this incident the Shipping Board ordered the ship to have another trial trip which was conducted on July 18 and after its successful completion the ship was again accepted by USSB 13 West Kasson then loaded her cargo and departed San Francisco for Manila Shanghai and Hong Kong on July 29 14 After visiting Chinese ports the steamer returned to Manila where she took on board a cargo of copra and from there proceeded to Java to load more of the same cargo and take it to Rotterdam 15 West Kasson reached her destination on November 23 and upon unloading her cargo left for Hampton Roads in ballast on December 4 16 17 The freighter was supposed to reach United States around December 15 but was unexpectedly delayed on her journey prompting widespread speculations about her fate 18 West Kasson finally arrived at Newport News on December 29 thus successfully concluding her five month long maiden voyage 19 Originally the ship was supposed to stay in the Atlantic but the high demand for cargo on the West Coast prompted the Pacific Mail Steamship Co to send West Kasson west She proceeded to Baltimore for loading in early January and after embarking 7 300 tons of general cargo sailed for California on 29 January 1920 After passing through the Panama Canal on February 5 the ship reached San Pedro on February 17 after largely an uneventful passage 20 Following successful completion of a round the world scout trip through East Asia and the Mediterranean by West Kasson Pacific Mail Steamship Co decided to expand this service adding more vessels to the trade route 21 The freighter departed San Francisco for the inaugural round the world trip to a variety of ports in the Far East India and the Mediterranean on 12 March 1920 22 She returned to Boston on July 30 bringing general cargo such as sugar from Java and cotton and skins from India to the East Coast ports 23 Upon discharging part of her cargo West Kasson loaded at Boston and proceeded to New York and Baltimore to unload and load more cargo She left Baltimore on September 4 and after passing through the Panama Canal arrived in San Francisco on 4 October 1920 successfully completing another round the world journey covering more than 28 000 miles in the process 24 25 26 West Kasson made one more round the world journey while under control of the Pacific Mail Steamship Co returning to Baltimore on 11 March 1921 to discharge approximately 1 000 tons of manganese ore 27 On 10 April 1921 it was reported that the Pacific Mail Steamship Co decided to return four large vessels including West Kasson to the Shipping Board citing lack of cargo in all of their foreign ports of service 28 The vessel arrived at San Pedro on April 20 and then proceeded to San Francisco where she remained berthed awaiting further assignment 29 In June 1921 SS West Hartland who was supposed to take a large cargo of lumber to Japan collided with another steamer SS Governor and consequently was libeled and had to remain in port awaiting the trial The Shipping Board dispatched West Kasson to Portland to take her place under control of the Pacific Steamship Company 30 After taking on board nearly 2 700 000 feet of fir and cedar lumber West Kasson departed Portland on 5 July 1921 bound for Japanese ports of Kobe and Yokohama 31 Initially the freighter was supposed to return directly to the West Coast however upon arrival in Japan at the end of July the vessel was rerouted to Singapore resulting in another round the world trip 32 West Kasson departed London for New York on 29 November 1921 33 however on her way back she lost her propeller and was forced to put in into Bermuda on December 18 for repairs 32 34 She spent 59 days there being repaired before departing for Mobile on 15 February 1922 35 While in Bermuda the ship was allocated to the Mississippi Shipping Company which operated two different lines from the Gulf ports one to Le Havre Antwerp and Ghent and the other to the east coast of South America After reaching New Orleans on February 22 West Kasson proceeded to load general cargo in several Gulf ports and cleared from Charleston on 5 April 1922 bound for Antwerp and Havre 36 She reached Le Havre on April 22 37 and after discharging her cargo sailed back to New Orleans in ballast on May 5 38 The steamer continued to operate from the Gulf ports of New Orleans Mobile Galveston Port of Tampa and Charleston to Havre and Antwerp through 1926 She mostly carried cotton wheat case oil phosphate rock and lumber on her transatlantic travels to Low Countries usually returning home in ballast For example West Kasson arrived at Tampa on 20 March 1923 to load part cargo of 3 300 tons of phosphate rock for delivery to Dunkerque 39 40 Incidentally on the same day the ship was raided by local law enforcement officers who confiscated between 6 and 7 pounds of opium 41 From mid 1923 through the end of 1924 she also made trips to various ports of Argentina Brazil and Uruguay For example the ship left Port Arthur on 11 July 1923 loaded with case oil and rice bound for Buenos Aires and Montevideo 42 43 On her way back from South America she usually carried various agricultural and meat products as well as coffee For example the freighter left Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro Santos and Vitoria at the end of July 1924 carrying nearly 70 000 60 kilogram bags of coffee to New Orleans 44 45 46 Early in 1925 the vessel returned to her travels to France and Belgium and sailed from New Orleans on 1 February 1925 fully laden with wheat lumber and case oil bound for Le Havre and Antwerp After discharging part of her cargo in Havre West Kasson proceeded to Antwerp On March 1 While docked there a fire ignited in her holds which burnt for several hours but was eventually contained The ship suffered heavy damage amidships and had her entire engine room flooded however most of her cargo of wheat remained undamaged and was safely unloaded once the fire was completely extinguished 47 48 49 After completing all necessary repairs the vessel departed Europe on April 18 for Mobile and arrived at New Orleans in May where she was returned to the Shipping Board 50 W R Grace 1926 1940 Edit On 23 January 1926 it was reported that West Kasson together with another Shipping Board ship SS West Inskip was sold to W R Grace and Company 51 W R Grace paid 55 705 for West Kasson and was required as part of the sale to maintain regular service between the West Coast of the United States and the West Coast of South America for five years 52 The freighter was delivered to Grace Line in New Orleans and departed it on 18 March 1926 in ballast After passing through the Panama Canal she picked up part cargo of coffee and sugar in Central America and delivered it to San Francisco on April 13 53 West Kasson then immediately sailed out north to the Puget Sound ports to load up for her upcoming trip to South America The vessel had her new cargo booms installed in Seattle before proceeding to Tacoma area to load flour lumber and box shooks 54 55 She left Tacoma on May 4 bound for Pisco and Chilean ports of Valparaiso and Arica 56 The steamer reached her destination in mid June and upon discharging her cargo she loaded 6 550 tons of nitrates and approximately 1 100 tons of copper ore West Kasson then proceeded to Hawaii where she arrived on August 1 to unload her cargo of fertilizer 57 The vessel then continued to Tacoma where she arrived on August 23 to discharge ore for the local ASARCO smelter successfully concluding her first full trip under new ownership 58 West Kasson immediately left on her second journey loaded with flour lumber and box shooks for Peru and Chile on 13 September 1926 59 She sailed back from Callao on November 2 loaded again with nitrates and various ores On December 6 while being off the southern coast of Mexico West Kasson sent out a distress signal stating that she had fire in one of her forward holds but not requesting any assistance The vessel s later messages stated that the fire was under control 60 61 Subsequently the ship owners denied that there was any fire at all as they claimed a chemical reaction between lead and silver ore concentrates produced fumes which were mistaken for fire 62 West Kasson safely reached San Pedro ten days without any signs of damage and later proceeded north to load more cargo for South America In late November W R Grace decided to change the names of all of their recently acquired vessels to various Inca names with West Kasson becoming Cuzco 63 The vessel continued serving roughly the same route through the end of her career with W R Grace On her way down south the ship usually loaded lumber wheat flour and paper at various ports of the Pacific Northwest then would proceed to San Pedro where case oil and general merchandise were loaded On her trips up north she carried nitrates chiefly nitrate of soda in addition to various ores such as copper gold and silver For example in October 1929 the freighter brought into Tacomea 6 000 tons of copper ore and in January 1932 Cuzco cleared out from the West Coast ports fully loaded with 1 500 tons of wheat 1 500 000 feet of lumber in addition to other cargo and 250 tons of infusorial earth 64 65 In August 1928 W R Grace announced that several of their freighters will be equipped with refrigerating machinery Cuzco was the first vessel to have such machinery installed in November of the same year allowing her to carry approximately 250 tons of perishable goods such as dairy products and produce 66 Following the installation Cuzco was able to carry 2 300 cases of fresh eggs as well as butter and apples to Peru on one of her voyages in 1930 67 In 1930 Post Office Department awarded W R Grace a contract to carry mail to various South American destinations This resulted in extension of company s shipping services to include extra destinations both in Chile and Peru with Cuzco becoming the first vessel to inaugurate such mail service for the company in July 1930 68 69 As part of the mail contract W R Grace placed an order for several new speedier vessels to take over the route Early in 1932 the company realigned their services shifting six older ships including Cuzco to take over the Panama Mail Service Line route covering nearly twenty ports along the Central America and Mexico Pacific coast 70 71 In addition all six vessels were to make stops and pick up cargo at Vancouver and had their passenger accommodations somewhat enlarged 72 73 Cuzco departed California in June 1932 to start her new service carrying among other cargo a repaired fishing motor boat on her deck She also had corrals erected both aft and fore for mules to be transported between ports along her new route 74 The new service went into full effect a year later when twenty ports were added to service including Corinto and Acapulco 75 During her career Cuzco occasionally carried unusual cargo For example in September 1933 the vessel delivered about 24 000 pounds of aerial bombs destined for the Armed Forces of Honduras and El Salvador and in November 1934 she brought back approximately 500 tons of sulfur from South America to San Pedro 76 77 In February 1939 she also transported part order of seven Northrop A 17 bombers from Northrop factory in California for the Peruvian Air Force 78 Even though Cuzco had limited passenger accommodations she carried some notable people during her trips For example in May 1928 the vessel brought in Laura de la Puente Ganoza one of the Peru s best dancers to study dance in Los Angeles 79 Similarly in December 1934 the ship carried Willard Galbraith a renowned diplomat just appointed as a secretary of the US consulate in Tegucigalpa to assume his new post 80 Following a military coup against Nicaraguan president Juan Bautista Sacasa Cuzco was delayed in Corinto on 6 June 1936 awaiting arrival of the exiled president and twelve people from his entourage The ship then took Sacasa to La Libertad where he disembarked on June 9 81 82 During her extensive career Cuzco had several mishaps On 27 October 1935 while on one of her regular trip from San Pedro to Valparaiso the ship went aground on Lempa shoals in Jiquilisco Bay on El Salvador s Pacific coast 83 The vessel was heavily pounded by the waves and started to list prompting the crew to abandon her All crew was rescued by Gulf Pacific Mail Line steamer SS Point Ancha where they remained for the duration of salvage work Meanwhile a salvage steamer Merritt was dispatched from Jamaica to assist in refloating operations and a smaller one from sent from the Panama Canal area 84 85 Both tugs arrived on the scene in early November and after an inspection determined the vessel s hull was intact an attempt to refloat the grounded steamer was made After jettisoning part of Cuzco s deckload of lumber she was successfully refloated on November 5 and proceeded under her own power to the Panama Canal for inspection and repairs 86 On 28 January 1936 Cuzco arrived in Wilmington carrying her usual cargo of nitrates sulfur and ore concentrates Next day the unloading started using a clamshell bucket and a crane During the unloading the clamshell bucket produced sparks several times when hitting the sulfur rocks and on one occasion such spark started a fire The burning was fueled both by sulfur and treated ore concentrates and was threatening to get out of control and destroy the ship however the firemen were able to deploy two fireboats in time to quickly extinguish the blaze 87 Late in 1939 the Maritime Commission MARCOM offered W R Grace to put three modern Type C2 vessels in operation between the West Coast and South America In exchange MARCOM was to get six World War I era steamers being operated by Grace Line as prepayment 88 While Grace Line eventually agreed to purchase new vessels for their South American operations the deal with MARCOM did not include any of their aging ships Instead in March 1940 it was announced that W R Grace agreed to sell three of their vessels Cuzco Capac and Charcas to a Panama based Compania de Vapores Cardina S A a subsidiary of Belgium based Compagnie Continentale d Importation The new owners were going to engage in tramp shipping mainly between the United States and Europe 89 90 At the time of sale Cuzco was on her regular journey to Central and South America transporting her usual cargo including five Arabian horses bought by the government of Colombia 91 After loading her usual cargo of nitrates and copper and vanadium ore the vessel passed through the Panama Canal on May 5 and continued to New York where she was transferred into Panamanian registry 92 In Panamanian registry 1940 1942 Edit Following arrival in New York in mid May 1940 Cuzco was renamed Carmona and put under operational control of a newly created company Carmona Steamship Company Due to developing disaster in France any potential trips to Europe became impossible Carmona then sailed from New York for New Orleans where she loaded 7 000 tons of salt for delivery to Tokoyama The freighter passed through the Panama Canal on 20 21 July 1940 and after making a short stop in Los Angeles in early August continued to Japan 93 She returned to Seattle on 7 February 1941 and upon loading her cargo the vessel left for South Africa on February 17 94 The ship then proceeded to the Atlantic where she entered a trade route from the east coast of South America to New York Sinking Edit SS Carmona Master Charles Beke was en route from Buenos Aires to the US with a cargo of 7 138 tons of linseed in bulk The ship was sailing alone and unarmed At 11 27 local time on July 18 1942 in position 10 58 N 61 20 W 10 967 N 61 333 W 10 967 61 333 southeast of Trinidad German submarine U 160 under command of Georg Lassen launched four torpedoes and hit Carmona on the starboard side The first torpedo struck the engine room and killed four crew members The second hit at 2 hatch about 10 minutes later and the other two struck shortly after The ship turned on her side and sunk at 12 00 noon The Master ordered to abandon ship and the survivors were picked up by a United States Navy Patrol Boat USS YPC 68 and taken to Port of Spain There were 31 survivors 95 Notes Edit a b Lloyd s Register Steamships and Motorships PDF London Lloyd s Register 1930 Big Steel Freighter Launched At Harbor Los Angeles Evening Express Vol 49 no 394 II ed 15 March 1919 p 9 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com a b Huge Steel Freighter Is Successfully Launched At Long Beach Yards Today Long Beach Press 15 March 1919 p 18 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com a b c Register of Ships Owned by United States Shipping Board Washington DC United States Government Printing Office 1 August 1920 p 107 a b c Merchant Vessels of the United States Washington DC United States Government Printing Office 1922 1923 p 122 Lloyd s Register Steamships and Motorships London Lloyd s Register 1921 1922 To Make Trial Trip The Los Angeles Times 23 June 1919 p 8 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com West Kasson To Make Trial Trip Tomorrow The Long Beach Press 27 June 1919 p 7 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com 1919 Construction Record of U S Yards The Marine Review Vol 50 no 2 February 1920 p 112 New Freighter Is Taken Over By Government Long Beach Press 1 July 1919 p 14 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com Pacific Mail Gets Long Beach Steamer San Pedro Daily Pilot Vol 6 no 231 30 June 1919 p 1 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com Pacific Coast Shipping News The San Francisco Examiner 10 July 1919 p 21 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com West Kasson Accepted The San Francisco Examiner 19 July 1919 p 17 Retrieved 9 July 2021 via Newspapers com The Almanac American Ports New York Tribune 31 July 1919 p 8 Pacific Coast Shipping News Port Notes The San Francisco Examiner 1 October 1919 p 25 Retrieved 11 July 2021 via Newspapers com Ledger Shipping News Foreign Ports The Tacoma Daily Ledger 4 December 1919 p 10 Ledger Shipping News Foreign Ports The Tacoma Daily Ledger 8 December 1919 p 10 Fear Felt For Coast Ship West Kasson Oakland Tribune 26 December 1919 p 13 Retrieved 11 July 2021 via Newspapers com The Tribune Almanac New York Tribune 30 December 1919 p 18 Movements of Ocean Vessels The Panama Canal Record Vol XIII no 26 11 February 1920 p 374 Round the World Cargo Trips Plan Of Pacific Mail The San Francisco Examiner 28 February 1920 p 5 Retrieved 11 July 2021 via Newspapers com Marine Exchange Shipping News The San Francisco Examiner 13 March 1920 p 22 Retrieved 11 July 2021 via Newspapers com American Steamer In World Shipping Returns From Long Sea Trip The Shreveport Times 31 July 1920 p 10 Retrieved 11 July 2021 via Newspapers com West Kasson Ends Cruise of World The Honolulu Advertiser 28 August 1920 p 10 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com Movements of Ocean Vessels The Panama Canal Record Vol XIV no 7 29 September 1920 p 88 Vessel Movements The Vancouver Sun 5 October 1920 p 14 Brings Manganese Ore The Evening Sun 11 March 1921 p 34 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com P M Drops Freighters The Honolulu Advertiser 10 April 1921 p 6 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com Shipping News San Pedro Daily Pilot Vol 8 no 172 20 April 1921 p 6 Maritime Miscellany New York Tribune 19 June 1921 p 21 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com Large Lumber Cargo For Orient Leaves Portland The Eugene Guard 5 July 1921 p 1 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com a b West Kasson Is Safe At Bermuda Being Repaired Oregon Daily Journal 29 December 1921 p 14 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com Marine Reports Foreign Ports New York Tribune 1 December 1921 p 22 Maritime Miscellany New York Herald 20 December 1921 p 23 Retrieved 12 July 2021 via Newspapers com Shipping News Foreign Ports New York Herald 21 February 1922 p 15 Ship News Of The World Continued American Ports New York Herald 6 April 1922 p 22 Buitenlandsche Havens De Maasbode 24 April 1922 p 3 Buitenlandsche Havens Scheepvaart 5 May 1922 p 2 Daily Marine Record The Tampa Tribune 21 March 1923 p 15 Daily Marine Record The Tampa Tribune 22 March 1923 p 15 Inspectors Find Opium On Vessel The Tampa Tribune 22 March 1923 p 15 Retrieved 14 July 2021 via Newspapers com West Kasson To Load Rice Port Arthur News 3 July 1923 p 10 News Of The Ships And Shipping Men The Philadelphia Inquirer 20 July 1923 p 22 Manifests of Coffee Rio de Janeiro Wileman s Brazilian Review Vol 15 no 31 30 July 1924 p 1016 Manifests of Coffee Victoria Wileman s Brazilian Review Vol 15 no 32 6 August 1924 p 1052 Manifests of Coffee Santos Wileman s Brazilian Review Vol 15 no 33 13 August 1924 p 1085 Ship West Kasson Afire At Antwerp Rutland Daily Herald 2 March 1925 p 1 Retrieved 14 July 2021 via Newspapers com Gemengd Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant 4 March 1925 p 4 Scheepstijdingen Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad 5 March 1925 p 3 Buitenlandsche Havens De Maasbode 2 May 1925 p 4 Grace Buys Steamers The San Francisco Examiner 23 January 1926 p 15 Retrieved 14 July 2021 via Newspapers com Merchant Marine Investigation Hearings before The Committee On Merchant Marine Radio And Fisheries House Of Representatives First Session Washington DC United States Government Printing Office 1932 p 189 Examiner Shipping News The San Francisco Examiner 14 April 1926 p 24 Retrieved 17 July 2021 via Newspapers com Many Vessels Are Due At Seattle To Load And Discharge Victoria Daily Times 20 April 1926 p 11 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com London Shipper To Sail Today The Tacoma Daily Ledger 1 May 1926 p 10 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Arrivals Departures The Tacoma Daily Ledger 5 May 1926 p 12 Big Nitrate Cargo Honolulu Star Bulletin 2 August 1926 p 10 Retrieved 16 July 2021 via Newspapers com Smelter Docks Busy Yesterday The Tacoma Daily Ledger 24 August 1926 p 10 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com News Of Ships And Sailings In Pacific Ports The Los Angeles Times 14 September 1926 p 48 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Steamer Afire Off Coast Hear The Pomona Progress 7 December 1926 p 1 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Fire Aboard West Kasson Is Subdued San Pedro Daily Pilot 7 December 1926 p 1 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Str West Kasson Not On Fire The Gazette 8 December 1926 p 18 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Shoreside Shorts The Honolulu Advertiser 1 December 1926 p 14 Retrieved 18 July 2021 via Newspapers com Cuzco Brings Copper Ore Tacoma Daily Ledger 31 October 1929 p 9 Retrieved 19 July 2021 via Newspapers com Full Cargo News Pilot 14 January 1932 p 10 Retrieved 19 July 2021 via Newspapers com Refrigerator Ship The San Francisco Examiner 27 August 1928 p 18 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Cuzco To Carry Out Perishable Cargo The Long Beach Sun 24 March 1930 p 7 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Cuzco To Carry Mail To Chile Oakland Tribune 1 May 1930 p 34 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Mail Service Links Nations Tacoma Daily Ledger 12 July 1930 p 1 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Pair Of Liners To Quit Coast The Los Angeles Times 19 March 1932 p 7 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Control Shifted News Pilot 7 April 1932 p 12 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Grace Ships On B C Run Victoria Daily Times 3 May 1932 p 16 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Grace Line To Rebuild Ships News Pilot 17 June 1932 p 10 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Cuzco To Take Out Full Load News Pilot 7 June 1932 p 10 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via newspapers com Grace To Invade Central America The Tacoma News Tribune 12 April 1933 p 2 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Aerial Bombs Shipped South News Pilot 14 September 1933 p 4 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Sulphur From South America New Item News Pilot 27 November 1934 p 5 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Seven Planes Shipped The Bakersfield Californian 27 February 1939 p 2 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Peru s Best Dancer Here For Finishing The Los Angeles Times 28 May 1928 p 19 Retrieved 19 July 2021 via Newspapers com Galbraith Going To His New Post The Los Angeles Times 27 December 1934 p 2 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Liner Waits For Fleeing President Victoria Daily Times 6 June 1936 p 2 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Exiled President Sails To Salvador On Cuzco News Pilot 24 June 1936 p 2 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com U S Ship Aground Off San Salvador The Evening Sun 28 October 1935 p 3 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Liner Crew Rescued The St Joseph News Press 29 October 1935 p 3 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Grace Line To Try Refloating Steamer The Los Angeles Times 2 November 1935 p 24 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Cuzco Refloated Oakland Tribune 5 November 1935 p 29 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Firemen Fume Stricken In Quelling Ship Blaze The Los Angeles Times 30 January 1936 p 19 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Deal For Grace Liners Pending The Los Angeles Times 14 December 1939 p 37 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com U S Okays Sale Of Two Ships Owned Here The Evening Sun 12 March 1940 p 38 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Grace Line Ships Sold Tacoma News Tribune 20 March 1940 p 9 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Five Arabian Horses Sold To Colombia The Pomona Progress Bulletin 16 March 1940 p 12 Retrieved 20 July 2021 via Newspapers com Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight April 10 1940 to Midnight May 10 1940 The Panama Canal Record Vol XXXIII no 10 15 May 1940 p 187 Movements of Ocean Vessels Through the Panama Canal From Midnight July 10 1940 to Midnight August 10 1940 The Panama Canal Record Vol 34 no 1 15 August 1940 p 10 Ship Movements News Pilot 18 February 1941 p 8 Helgason Gudmundur 2017 SS Carmona uboat net Retrieved July 11 2017 Coordinates 10 58 N 61 20 W 10 967 N 61 333 W 10 967 61 333References EditLloyd s Register Steamships and Motorships PDF London Lloyd s Register 1941 Lloyd s Register Steamships and Motorships PDF London Lloyd s Register 1930 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title SS West Kasson amp oldid 1065363604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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