Last post I mentioned that the Wilmington Liberty Ships were often named for North and South Carolina historical figures. Some of these of note from the Lower Cape Fear River area were Cornelius Harnett, George Davis, Richard Caswell, Alexander Lillington, James Sprunt, Alfred Moore, John Merrick and John N. Maffitt.
Liberty Ships were 441 feet long, 56 feet wide and had a cruising speed of 12 knots and designed for quick construction. They proved to be great workhorses. In 1942, 53 more were ordered. The facilities expanded another 80 acres.
In 1942, 51 were delivered. By 1943, when the contract had called for 25 ships delivered, the total stood at 73. The NC Shipbuilding Company had the lowest average cost per ship of the 16 shipyards building them. At peak production, Wilmington was delivering 11 vessels a month.
The 126th and last Liberty Ship was delivered August 27, 1943. Production slowed. By mid-1943, the yard was refitted for production of the C2-S-AJ1 ships which were being built more modern, larger and more comfortable..
These Victory Ships were 459 feet long, 63 feet wide, had larger engines and weighed 10,660 tons. They were being built with the intention of post-war use.
More to Come. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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