Isthmian Line -Liberty Ships -Victory Ships -WWII

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Isthmian Name:	Knoxville City	Period:	Ancient

Gross Tonnage:	5,686	Net:	3,450
Dimensions:	424' 2" x 56' 2" x 26' 5"	MC Type:

Builder:	Chickasaw Shipbuilding & Car Co. Chickasaw, AL	Hull # USMC Hull # Date of Build: Delivered:	13 1921
Engines:	2 Steam Turbines DR Geared to Single Screwed Shaft	Engine Builder:	W. & A. Fletcher Co. Hoboken, NJ
Navigation:	GyC	Decks, etc.:	2 Decks 3tr B, Fitted for Oil Fuel

Began Isthmian Service:

1921

Ended Isthmian Service:

1942

----------------------------------- Vessel History -----------------------------------

Date	Vessel #	Vessel Name	Vessel Owner	Call Ltrs	Home Port	Flag
1921	221587	*Knoxville City*	U.S. Steel Products Co. New York	MDCN	New York	US
1930	221587	*Knoxville City*	August: Isthmian Lines, Inc. New York	MDCN	New York	US
1933	221587	*Knoxville City*	Isthmian Lines, Inc. New York	KDUD	New York	US

Events:
"Through my father's contacts, Capt. Donnelly, the Marine Superintendent of Isthmian Lines, hired me as a Third Mate in the SS KNOXVILLE CITY on August 1, 1930. I say 'in' the SS KNOXVILLE CITY. People say 'on' ships but that's wrong. She was one of a type of good ships built about 1922 by U.S. Steel, owners of Isthmian Lines, at their yards in Anniston and Mobile, Alabama and in liner service from New York to India. They were over 400 feet long, about 8,000 tons, and made twelve knots. Hatch number five was in an uncovered well deck. Two large doors at the after end of hatch number four could be removed, which reduced the cubic capacity of the ship and the tolls paid in the Panama and Suez Canals. These ships were the first to have gyro compasses because of the effects of the steel cargoes on magnetic compasses. In some there was a separate room for the gyro. In others it was in the after end of the saloon, or officer's dining room. We were in liner service to India. I transferred to the SS FAIRFIELD CITY as Third Mate, then to the SS STEEL ENGINEER as Second Mate. Promotions were slow. Even after getting my Chief Mate's and Master's Licenses, I was still sailing as Second Mate in 1936." - Commodore Leroy J. Alexanderson (Commodore of U.S. Lines and Master of the SS United States)

Disposition Date

Comments

1942

6/1 - On a voyage New York to Suez, 7,585 tons general cargo, George P. Shanahan Master, the vessel departed in convoy, later leaving to sail alone to Trinidad for refueling. At 8:57 PM, position 21.15 N, 83.50 W, off Isle of Pines, Cuba, while steaming a 10 knot zigzag course, the ship was struck 20 ft below the waterline at the engine room on the starboard side by a torpedo fired by U-158 (Rostin). The explosion killed 2 men on watch, likely caused the boilers to explode and stopped the engines. The explosion destroyed the 2 starboard lifeboats and radio antenna. Using the emergency radio, distress signals were sent but no acknowledgement was received. In 5 minutes, the Master ordered the vessel abandoned. Most of the 9 officers, 28 crewmen, 14 armed guards and 4 passengers left the ship within 20 minutes in 2 lifeboats. At 10:00 PM U-158 put another torpedo into the vessel, causing her to sink 10 mins later. The Brazilian ship JAMACIA offered to take the survivors to New Orleans but they declined, fearing the submarine might still be nearby. 48 hours later, the survivors made landfall at La Calina, Cuba with the assistance of the Cuban gunboat DONATIVO.

The information on this page is the kind contribution of Skip Lewis. Skip, whose dad sailed for Isthmian, is an avid collector and researcher of everything Isthmian. In his quest, he has used many sources and publications including Lloyd's of London and Imperial Steel by John Atherton. Thank you, Skip. Copyright © 2003-2007 - All rights reserved.

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