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SS William L. Watson

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History
United States
NameWilliam L. Watson
NamesakeWilliam L. Watson
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorBlack Diamond Steamship Co.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MC hull 2310
BuilderJ.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida
Cost$1,042,645[1]
Yard number51
Way number1
Laid down6 June 1944
Launched13 July 1944
Sponsored byMrs. John Simon
Completed26 July 1944
Identification
FateSold for commercial use, 17 December 1946
Italy
NamePanormus
OwnerSalvatore Tagliavia, Palermo, Italy
Acquired27 December 1946
FateSold, 1952
Italy
NamePanormus
OwnerTransmediterranea Soc. di Nav. per Azioni, Palermo, Italy
Acquired1952
FateSold, 1962
Lebanon
NameAl Kheir
OwnerSan Antonio, Inc.
OperatorCia. Armatoriale Italiana, Venice, Italy
Acquired1962
FateScrapped, 1967
General characteristics [2]
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 William L. Watson was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after William L. Watson, the first Agricultural Agent for Duval County, Florida, also active in the Florida 4-H club.

Construction

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William L. Watson was laid down on 6 June 1944, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 2310, by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida; she was sponsored by Mrs. John Simon, and launched on 13 July 1944.[3][1]

History

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She was allocated to Black Diamond Steamship Co., on 26 July 1944. On 6 June 1946, she was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, in the Hudson River Group. On 17 December 1946, she was transferred to the Italian Government, which in turn sold her to Salvatore Tagliavia, Palermo, Italy, on 27 December 1946. She was renamed Panormus. In 1952, she was sold to Transmediterranea Soc. di Nav. per Azioni, Palermo. In 1962, she was sold to San Antonio Inc, reflagged for Lebanon, and renamed Al Keheir. In 1966, she was laid up in Spezia, after developing cracks in her hull. She was scrapped the following year in Spezia.[4][5]

References

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Bibliography

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  • "Jones Construction, Panama City FL". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  • "Liberty Ships – World War II". Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  • Maritime Administration. "William L. Watson". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 23 December 2017.
  • "SS William L. Watson". Retrieved 23 December 2017.