SS Winchester Victory
From Our Contribution
 photo of Victory ship Type VC2-S-AP3 | |
 SS Winchester Victory launching - Handley Regional Library Archives | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | SS Winchester Victory |
| Launched | 13 Mar 1945 |
| Completed | 11 Apr 1945 |
| In service | April 1945 |
| Fate | unknown |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | cargo |
| Length | 445 ft |
| Beam | 63 ft |
| Propulsion | Single screw |
| Speed | 15 - 17 knots (27.8 - 31.5 km/h) |
| Capacity | 62 crew plus 28 naval personnel to man guns |
Contents
Remarks
In 1943, the U.S. Maritime Commission embarked on a program to design new types of emergency fleet ships, most importantly fast cargo vessels, to replace the slower Liberty ships. 531 Victory ships were constructed with 97 of them converted as troop carriers. SS Winchester Victory's keel was laid on 30 Jan 1945, and she was completed and available for service on 11 Apr 1945. Sent to the Pacific, there are stories of civilian captives of the Japanese being carried between ports in the Netherlands East Indies as well as military POWs.
Along with SS Pomona Victory she was converted, and transferred to Compaguie Maritime Belge SA of Antwerp for service between the Belgian Congo and Antwerp. Title was transferred on 5 March 1947.
Soldiers carried
Ambon to Morotai ?? - 21 January 1946
Macassar to Brisbane via Thursday Island 3 - 13 February 1946
Notes
VC2-S-AP2 = Victory ship Cargo 2 = 400-440 feet in length; Steam; AP = Hull design, 3 conversion number