June 19, '45
Dear Folks,
Well, we are in Norfolk now, and the place is the same as the last time I was here, it hasn't changed at all. If anything, it's worse.
We are still busy loading up, I sometimes wonder where all the stuff goes, it's like dropping it into a bottomless pit.
It has been plenty hot down here, but the last day or two has given some relief. By the way, when you send a package, I could use a pair of swimming trunks. Also, you might hint to Uncle Julius that I'd like some fishing gear. By the way have you been doing any fishing lately? or have you been to busy.
I guess school is about over and Dorothy will be going off soon to camp. That must really break Ralph's heart.
I'll try to phone some night this week but the phone service is no better now than it was two years ago. You can place a call fast from the coast than you can from here.
That's about all, so I will close with
Love to all,
Paul
Saturday, June 21, 1975
Friday, June 6, 1975
The Samar Was a Liberty Ship
During the early years of World War 2, enemy minefields, aerial and U-boat attacks seriously crippled the Allied cause, by sinking a vast number of merchant ships carrying vital military equipment, supplies and Troops. In order to build ships faster than the enemy could sink them, the United States of America under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, organised an emergency Shipbuilding programme which between 1941 and 1945 produced over 2,700 Liberty ships. “The Cargo-carrying key to victory”
The first of these Liberty ships, the SS “Patrick Henry” was launched at the Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore on September 27th 1941. By the time the programme ended in 1945, Eighteen shipyards on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts had participated in the effort.
The Liberty ship design was based on the British plans modified to conform to American Practices and to make full use of mass production methods. The ship being 441 feet 6 inches in Length, with a beam of 56 feet 10 ¾ inches, a draft of 27 feet 9 ¼ inches, and could hold about 8500 long tons of cargo. Power coming from a triple expansion steam engine developing 2500 HP at 76 RPM for a top speed of 11 knots. Two oil-fired boilers generate steam at 220 psi and 450 degrees.
About 2,500 Liberty ships of the over 2,700 built, survived WW2 but now only the “John Brown" survives. This magnificent ship serves as a reminder of the hard work, sacrifice and Patriotism which so enabled the cause of freedom.
The last Liberty Ship delivered by Beth-Fairfield shipyard was the USS.Samar, a Navy crewed vessel which became commissioned on 31st October 1944 [sic]. “Samar” was the 384th “Liberty” delivered.
The first of these Liberty ships, the SS “Patrick Henry” was launched at the Bethlehem Fairfield Shipyard in Baltimore on September 27th 1941. By the time the programme ended in 1945, Eighteen shipyards on the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts had participated in the effort.
The Liberty ship design was based on the British plans modified to conform to American Practices and to make full use of mass production methods. The ship being 441 feet 6 inches in Length, with a beam of 56 feet 10 ¾ inches, a draft of 27 feet 9 ¼ inches, and could hold about 8500 long tons of cargo. Power coming from a triple expansion steam engine developing 2500 HP at 76 RPM for a top speed of 11 knots. Two oil-fired boilers generate steam at 220 psi and 450 degrees.
About 2,500 Liberty ships of the over 2,700 built, survived WW2 but now only the “John Brown" survives. This magnificent ship serves as a reminder of the hard work, sacrifice and Patriotism which so enabled the cause of freedom.
The last Liberty Ship delivered by Beth-Fairfield shipyard was the USS.Samar, a Navy crewed vessel which became commissioned on 31st October 1944 [sic]. “Samar” was the 384th “Liberty” delivered.
Thursday, June 5, 1975
U.S.S. Samar Invitation to Commissioning on June 5, 1945
The Captain, Officers and Crew
of the
U. S. S. Samar
request the honor of your presence at the
Commissioning Ceremonies
at
The Bethlehen Steel Company
Key Highway Plant, Baltimore, Maryland
on
the 5 day of June
nineteen hundred and forty-five
at 3:30 P.M. o'clock
CONFIDENTIAL
Please present this card
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S.S. Samar II
The second Samar (ARG-11), a Luzon Class Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship, was laid down on 21 September 1944 by Bethlehem-Fairfield, Sparrow's Point, Md., under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2683); launched on 19 October 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Elsie M. Alexander, delivered to the Navy on 31 October 1944, converted to an internal combustion engine repair ship (ARG) by the Bethlehem Steel Co., Key Highway Plant, Baltimore, Md. and commissioned on 5 June 1945, Comdr. Andrew M. Harvey in command.
The Samar was a Liberty ship
