Crater-class cargo ship

World War II U.S. Navy cargo ship class

The Crater-class cargo ship were converted EC2-S-C1 type, Liberty cargo ships, constructed by the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) for use by the US Navy during World War II.^[1] The designation 'EC2-S-C1': 'EC' for Emergency Cargo, '2' for a ship between 400 and 450 ft (120 and 140 m) long (Load Waterline Length), 'S' for steam engines, and 'C1' for design C1.^[2]

The class was named for the lead ship of its type, USS Crater (AK-70), with most ships in the class being named for astronomical bodies. Its 65 hulls were among the largest US Navy cargo ship classes.

The ships were propelled by a reciprocating steam engine using a single screw with a power of 2,500 hp (1,864 kW) shaft.

Notable incidents

• USS Aludra (AK-72) Lost in action from Japanese torpedo on 23 June 1943 south of Makira island.^[3]
• USS Deimos (AK-78) Damaged by torpedo, 23 June 1943, then abandoned and scuttled south of Makira island.^[4]

References

1. "Crater Class, U.S. Cargo Ships". The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
2. Colton, Tim. "Ship Design Codes used by the U.S. Maritime Commission". Retrieved 3 August 2021.
3. navsource.org USS Aludra
4. navsource.org USS Deimos (AK-78)

External links

• AK — Cargo Ships—Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940–1945.