SS John Randolph

History
United States
NameJohn Randolph
NamesakeJohn Randolph
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorWaterman Steamship Corp.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 19
Awarded14 March 1941
BuilderBethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland[1]
Cost$1,354,256[2]
Yard number2006
Way number6
Laid down15 July 1941
Launched30 December 1941
Completed27 February 1942
Identification
FateSunk by Allied Naval mine, 5 July 1942
General characteristics [3]
Class and type
Tonnage
Displacement
Length
  • 441 feet 6 inches (135 m) oa
  • 416 feet (127 m) pp
  • 427 feet (130 m) lwl
Beam57 feet (17 m)
Draft27 ft 9.25 in (8.4646 m)
Installed power
  • 2 × Oil fired 450 °F (232 °C) boilers, operating at 220 psi (1,500 kPa)
  • 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
Propulsion
Speed11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity
  • 562,608 cubic feet (15,931 m3) (grain)
  • 499,573 cubic feet (14,146 m3) (bale)
Complement
Armament

SS John Randolph was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after John Randolph, a planter and a Congressman from Virginia who served in the House of Representatives at various times between 1799 and 1833 and the Senate from 1825 to 1827. He was also Minister to Russia under President Andrew Jackson in 1830.

Construction

John Randolph was laid down on 15 July 1941, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MCE hull 19, by the Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland; and was launched on 30 December 1941.[1][2]

History

She was allocated to Union Sulphur & Oil Co., Inc., on 27 February 1942.[4]

Sinking

Main article: Convoy QP 13

John Randolph was severely damaged after striking an Allied mine on the night of 5 July 1942.[5]

Having left Murmansk, on 27 June 1942, Convoy QP-13 encountered fog on 5 July 1942, north west of Iceland. Due to the overcast weather and poor visibility, about one mi (1.6 km), Commander Cubison, aboard the escort ship HMS Niger, ordered the convoy to form up in two columns, from five, to pass between Straumnes and the Northern Barrage minefield. At 20:00 Commander Cubison had estimated his location at 66°45′N 22°22′W / 66.750°N 22.367°W / 66.750; -22.367 and suggested that the convoy alter course to 222°. At 22:00 Niger mistook what was later identified as an iceberg for Iceland's North Cape, at a bearing of 150° and one mile range. Cubison ordered the convoy to change course to 270°. At 22:40 Niger exploded and sank with a heavy loss of life, this included Commander Cubison. The convoy had entered the minefield at this time and the merchant ships SS Heffron, SS Hybert, SS Massmar, and SS Rodina struck mines and were sunk, John Randolph and SS Exterminator were seriously damaged. The forepart was salved but broke tow on 1 September 1952 and was wrecked at Torrisdale Bay, Sutherland, Scotland, on 5 September.[6][7][8]

References

  1. ^ a b Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyards 2008.
  2. ^ a b c MARCOM.
  3. ^ Davies 2004, p. 23.
  4. ^ MARAD.
  5. ^ Uboat.
  6. ^ "MHG23280 - John Randolph (Fore Part): Torrisdale Bay, Sutherland". Highland Historic Environment Record.
  7. ^ "Record 167 in Wreck Details" (PDF). Highlands Regional Council Maritime Wrecks and Monuments Record. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  8. ^ Sawyer, L.A.; Mitchell, W.H. (1970). The Liberty ships: the history of the 'Emergency' type cargo ships constructed in the United States during World War II. David & Charles. p. 42. ISBN 0715349074.

Bibliography