SS Durham Victory
The SS Durham Victory was the 19th Victory ship built during World War II under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. The SS Durham Victory was launched by the California Shipbuilding Company on March 30, 1944, and completed on July 5, 1944. The ship’s United States Maritime Commission designation was VC2-S-AP3, hull number 18. SS Durham Victory served in the Pacific Ocean during World War II and was operated by Agwilines Inc.
Victory ships
The 10,500-ton Victory ships were designed to replace the earlier Liberty ships that were used only for WW2. Compared to the Liberty ships, the Victory ships were much faster, significantly larger, and designed to last longer to serve the US Navy after the war. Victory ships also had a thinner stack set farther toward the superstructure, and a long, raised forecastle. Many ships like the SS Durham Victory were sold.Christening
SS Durham Victory was christened prior to her first launch at the shipyard of the California Shipbuilding Corporation, also known as CalShip, in Wilmington, Los Angeles. The ship was a one of a total 550 Victory Ships, of which Calship delivered 132. Each ship was named after an American city. The SS Durham Victory was commissioned into battle during World War II at the Battle of Leyte from June 1944 to January 1945.World War II
SS Durham Victory steamed into the Pacific to bring supplies to the Pacific War troops. She had the dangerous job of transporting 6,000 pounds of ammunition for the Liberation of The Philippines and the Battle of Leyte from April 1 until April 6, 1945. The SS Durham Victory worked closely with the US Navy ship USS Mazama, which was an ammunition ship.She loaded the destroyer with ammunition on October 30, 1944, at San Pedro Bay on the Philippine Islands.
On October 24, before the Battle of Surigao Strait later that night, the ship had the only large caliber, above six inch, ammunition available. The ship's small crew, lack of winchmen and experience in handling munitions was a problem compounded by "the indifference and lack of cooperation of the Durham Victory's officers and crew." That issue was serious enough for the COMDESRON 56 report to recommend civilian ships not be used in combat areas. The report stated: "With a serious enemy threat developing, with all ships greatly depleted, and with time a very potent factor, the commanding officer of this ship put every obstacle he could possibly think of in the way of replenishment operations. He was the most disagreeable, uncooperative individual it has ever been my misfortune to run up against. He refused to work through the noon hour. Ships would arrive alongside on schedule and his hatches would still be battened down. He refused to handle lines. This would add from one to two hours to each day's operations. His disrespectable crew would sit around and pass disparaging remarks to the already overworked and tired enlisted men. He himself sat up on his bridge in his undershirt and cursed and yelled at our officers and men. Our replenishment program progressed in spite of him-not because of him. It cannot be too strongly recommended that regular navy ammunition ships be utilized in combat areas."
She supplied ammo to the light cruiser on October 25, 1944, near Surigao Strait. SS Durham Victory was key in the support of the invasion of the Philippines. She was part of Task Unit 77.7.1, which were supporting ships, including the T1 tanker, oilers,, and, and the merchant ship. The Task Unit was joined on October 12th by the destroyer escorts and, steering for Naval Base Kossol Roads and then final preparations for the assault. Other escorts in the TU were and.
In 1945, she anchored at the Ulithi atoll and supplied ammunition to a number of ships for the Battle of Leyte and other actions. On August 10th, 1945, SS Durham Victory supplied the battleship with 225 rounds of ammo for her 16", 20mm and 40mm guns.