When we consider tragedies at sea, we are sometimes reminded of the Titanic or different vital ships in historical past, such because the RMS Lusitania, which sank in twenty minutes and pulled the U.S. into the First World War.
These ships have additionally been a topic of fashionable tradition, particularly motion pictures which have made them well-known and their tales recognized to individuals worldwide.
However, what about these ships that met an analogous destiny however by no means obtained the identical reputation because the Titanic or the Lusitania and others?
This article reveals 10 fascinating details about one such ship referred to as the S.S. American Star.
A Brief About the S.S. American Star
S.S. American Star was an ocean liner and cruise ship constructed within the U.S., launched in 1939 and entered service the next yr.
It was made for the United States Lines, and famend Naval Architect William Francis Gibbs designed it. The ship was renamed at the least 9 occasions in its 50 years of service, which noticed many ups and downs.
It even served the nation by carrying troops; nonetheless, its destiny was depressing. In 1994, the ship was wrecked within the Canary Islands, slowly deteriorating till it utterly collapsed into the ocean. The ship shouldn’t be seen anymore on the floor of the ocean and has become a man-made reef.
1. One of the few liners of its time to be designed by Women
Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company laid down this ship on August 22, 1938, in Newport News, Virginia.
It was 220 m lengthy and 28 m vast with a ten m draft and 11 decks. It had a gross tonnage of 26 454 tonnes and a displacement of 21,079 tonnes.
S.S. American Star is particular because it is likely one of the few ocean liners of its time whose interiors have been designed by women- the New York Firm Smyth, Urquhart & Dorothy Marckwald, who gave her a recent and casual look utilizing stainless-steel, ceramics and trendy items, in contrast to the liners of its time, which boasted an ornate decor.
Launched in 1939, it was sponsored by the then U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s spouse, Eleanor Roosevelt, since her cousin was among the many founders of the United States Lines.
2. Became a troop ship for the U.S. Navy throughout World War II
SS America Star entered service because the flagship of the United States Lines on August 10, 1940. It might accommodate 543 individuals within the cabin class, 418 within the vacationer class, 241 within the Third Class, and 643 crew members.
It had low funnels that gave her a contemporary and streamlined look, however quickly, her funnels’ peak was elevated by 16 ft as soot was deposited on its decks.
Tensions had begun to rise in Europe with the arrival of World War II, wherein the U.S. nonetheless selected a impartial stance. For safety, the ship’s title, United States Lines and a couple of American Flags have been painted on each side of the hull.
As a precaution, the ship sailed illuminated at evening and didn’t ply on its North Atlantic Service Route however sailed in safer areas for a while. In 1941, it was geared up with degaussing cable to supply safety from the naval mines.
On May 28 1941, the U.S. Navy referred to as the S.S. American Star to enter Naval Service as a troop ship. S.S. American Star was at Saint Thomas, US Virgin Islands, when it was ordered to return to Newport News.
3. Carried the most important variety of troops throughout World War II
After the U.S. Navy acquired the ship for transporting troops, it was renamed USS West Point (AP-23). It was transformed and fitted with important tools and was commissioned into naval service with Frank H. Kelley Jr as its Captain on June 15 1941.
The ship was stripped of its stunning decor and furnishings and was endowed with life-rafts, bunks, and anti-aircraft weapons, with its home windows coated and exterior painted a boring gray. The ocean liner, which might carry round 1200 individuals, would now accommodate about 7678 troops.
The ship additionally transported Coast Guard provides, consular employees, and their households. She was additionally part of naval workouts off the Virginia Capes in August 1941 with USS Wakefield and USS Mount Vernon.
It additionally participated in a number of naval missions till the conflict led to 1945. These included bringing American troopers again residence after Germany surrendered.
In its service years, it accommodated greater than 350,000 troops, the most important complete for any U.S. Navy troop ship in service throughout the Second World War. In one in all its voyages in 1944, it carried about 9300 individuals. Apart from troops, it additionally carried U.N. Officials, civilians, kids, Red Cross employees and so on.
For its service, the S.S. American Star, then referred to as the U.S. West Point, was awarded a number of awards and medals just like the World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and so on.
4. Advent of its Glory Years – Renamed S.S. America
After the conflict ended, the ship was renamed S.S. America, and it sailed on the New York–Le Havre–Bremerhaven–Cobh Route, which was delayed throughout the conflict years.
Many thought of her probably the most stunning ocean liner to fly the American Flag, given her function within the Navy throughout the War. She was small but extra sleek than different ships, together with her fleet mate, the USS United States, which debuted in 1952.
S.S. America continued to ply on the US-Europe route from 1955 until 1960, but it surely additionally went to tropical ports within the Caribbean and the Bahamas. It went on 14 trans-Atlantic journeys in 1962 and eight the next yr.
5. Underwent in depth refits after being bought to Chandris Group & named S.S. Australis
A brand new market opened with rising immigration from Europe to Australia, and in 1964, the Chandris Cruise Line purchased the 24-year-old S.S. America to faucet into this hole.
The ship was now named S.S. Australis and was refitted with an extra 350 cabins; many current ones have been geared up with further berths. Hence, its passenger capability rose from 1200 to 2258.
On its first voyage, it sailed from Southampton in 1965 to Australia and New Zealand. After that, it sailed often from Southampton and likewise Rotterdam.
It additionally met with some minor accidents. In 1970, a fireplace broke out in its galley, but it surely was extinguished the subsequent day, though its subsequent journey was delayed as a consequence of upkeep issues.
In 1974, the vessel collided with the Australian Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne in Sydney Harbour. Although each vessels suffered minor damages, there have been no deaths or accidents to these onboard.
S.S. Australis was the final liner providing common service to Australia and New Zealand till its final journey in 1977. She then headed to Auckland, the place she was laid up at Timaru the identical yr.
6. Sold to Venture Cruise Lines and renamed America to faucet on its American Heritage
After the layup, Australis was purchased by Venture Cruise Lines and her title was modified to S.S. America, although it was registered as a Greek Ship. Her hull was now darkish blue, and funnels have been painted blue and pink.
The ship set sail in 1978 with out full repairs and refits. It was not in good situation and had dirty linen, trash and previous mattresses, accompanied by foul smells from the kitchen and plumbing sounds. Water leaked onto the decks from the overhead pipes. Public rooms weren’t painted effectively both.
The ship was overbooked; nonetheless, given its situation, the passengers have been sad and compelled the captain to return to New York when it had barely reached the Statue of Liberty. 960 Guests departed the ship, and one other 200 left the subsequent day by means of a young at Staten Island.
It left for a 5-day journey to Nova Scotia in 1978, and when she arrived, she was met with 2.5 million U.S. {dollars} in claims from its company. Also, all its future sailings have been cancelled, and it was impounded for not paying its money owed. Finally, the U.S. District Court ordered the public sale of the vessel.
7. Repurchased by Chandris Lines and renamed Italis
SS American Star was once more purchased and renamed by Chandris Lines, who determined to present it a brand new look. Her ahead funnel was eliminated, and it was determined to offer her with a streamlined superstructure above the bridge; nonetheless, it by no means finally occurred.
Italis operated as a lodge ship in 1979 after being chartered for the Organisation of African Unity Conference in Monrovia, Liberia. Then, it carried out three cruises from Genoa to many locations within the Mediterranean. After these cruises, it was laid up in Piraeus, Greece.
8. Exchanged fingers swiftly, first bought to Intercommerce after which Silver Moon Ferries
In 1980, the ship was bought to Intercommerce Corporation and named Noga. They wished to transform it to a jail ship and anchor it in Beirut, however this by no means occurred.
Again, the ship was resold in 1984 to Silver Moon Ferries and renamed Alferdoss, which interprets to paradise in Arabic. The new house owners wished to make it a floating luxurious lodge in Tripoli, Lebanon, however the Civil War shattered that dream.
A bilge pipe burst and flooded the engine room and crew’s quarters. The ship began itemizing. Hence, the starboard anchor was raised and the port anchor minimize. It was beached to stop it from sinking. After getting repaired, it was introduced again.
Silver Moon Ferries bought the ship for scrapping for two million {dollars} in 1989. The scrappers deposited 1 million {dollars} and started work. However, after its lifeboats have been demolished and a few extra work achieved, the scrapper defaulted on funds, so it was not utterly torn aside and remained on this situation till 1993.
9. Sold to a Thailand Company and named S.S. American Star
The ship was bought to an organization in 1992 that wished to make it a 5-star floating lodge off Phuket in Thailand. Drydocking confirmed that though the vessel suffered neglect for a few years, its hull was in good situation.
In 1993, it was renamed American Star, and it underwent upkeep with the elimination of the propellors and the portray of funnels and the bridge. It was not allowed to cross the Suez Canal, given its age. Hence, it went across the Cape of Good Hope to get to Thailand.
It left Greece below tow in 1993 however returned as a consequence of dangerous climate. When it set sail for the second time, it was caught in a thunderstorm within the Atlantic, which broke its tow traces. Although makes an attempt have been made to reattach them, they have been unsuccessful, and its crew was saved by a helicopter.
The vessel was left adrift at 6:15 am on January 18 1994. Ultimately, it ran aground on the rocky shores of Playa de Garvey, off the western coast of Fuerteventura within the Canary Islands.
10. Ran Aground; nonetheless, situations of beaching made salvage unimaginable
It was unimaginable to conduct the salvage operations, and inside two days, the robust waves broke the vessel into two, and it was declared a complete loss in 1994. Its stern part collapsed utterly and sank in 1996, whereas its bow part remained intact for a decade.
The ship grew to become the most important story on Fuerteventura Island, and simply in 2 days, locals gathered across the wreck and pillaged it for something and the whole lot they might discover.
As years handed, the ship grew to become fashionable on the web, and folks visited it to take photos and doc its gradual deterioration by the hands of pure forces.
In 2019, underwater footage of its particles area confirmed that its hull and superstructure had disintegrated, although items may very well be seen scattered within the sand. Anchor chains and boiler have been nonetheless intact, together with the indifferent funnel, and the wreck website had grow to be a man-made reef brimming with marine life.
The ship was proven in a 1999 German Documentary that took viewers inside its interiors and exteriors by means of a digital tour.
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Zahra is an alumna of Miranda House, University of Delhi. She is an avid author, possessing immaculate analysis and modifying abilities. Author of a number of tutorial papers, she has additionally labored as a contract author, producing many technical, inventive and advertising and marketing items. A real aesthete at coronary heart, she loves books a bit of greater than the rest.
