Outboard Profiles of Maritime Commission Vessels

Outboard Profiles of Maritime Commission Vessels

The C3 Cargo Ship, Sub-Designs and Conversions

Design: C3	Cargo	Federal SB & DD Co., Kearny, New Jersey
		MC-38 to 43 (6 Built / Turbine) SS Mormacport, SS Frederick Lykes, SS Doctor Lykes, SS Almeria Lykes, SS Howell Lykes, SS Mormacyork
		Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
		MC-63 to 66 (4 Built / Turbine) SS Sea Raven, SS Exchequer, SS Mormactide, SS Mormacpenn (II)
		Moore DD Co., Oakland, California
		MC-51 to 52 (2 Built / Turbine) SS Sea Arrow, SS Mormacstar
		Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, Pennsylvania
		MC-44 to 47 (4 Built / Diesel) SS Mormacpenn, SS Mormacyork, SS Mormacland, SS Mormacmail

Type C3, a big fast cargo vessel, is one of the original designs of the Maritime Commission. This successful design was qualified as auxiliary for the U.S.Navy and, therefore, from a total of 12 C3-type (Turbine) 6 were taken over by the U.S.Navy as seaplane tenders and transports. From the 4 C3-Type (Motorship), 2 served as submarine tender and the other two were converted to escort carriers (drawing shows SS ALMERIA LYKES in her post WWII configuration.

The four C3 ships built by the Sun company were motorships, not built from any particular request by a shipping company, but from a desire by the USMC to obtain an operating comparison with similar vessels driven by steam propulsion. Actually, two groups were built, four of the C3 type and six of the C2 type, but all were operated by Moore-McCormack Lines in their U.S.-South America service. The MORMACPENN (I), launched 10 November 1939, was the first to be completed and sailed from New York in early February 1940 for the East coast of South America. She was described as the fastest cargo liner ever built for American-flag operation, for prior to her entry into service she reached a trials speed of 19.7 knots and when northbound from Baltimore to New York for loading she did over 20 knots for a time. Propulsion was by four 7-cylinder, two stroke cycle, Busch-Sulzer diesel engines, driving a single screw through electro-magnetic couplings and reduction gears. The ship could be operated with any combination of the four engines, on one at 25% capacity or all four at 100% capacity. For turning, two could be run ahead and two astern, the ship being reversed by use of the electrical couplings. On trials, the propeller was changed from full ahead to full astern in some ten seconds. Rated at some 8,500 shp, the machinery was the first of its kind in the United States. The contract was awarded in December 1938 for delivery in the first half of 1940.

A typical of the early C3's was the Ingalls built MORMACTIDE. Here shown in her post WWII configuration

Conversions from the early C3's

Design: C3	Newport News SB & DD Co., Newport News, Virginia
Escort Carrier / Conversion	MC-47 (1 Conversion / Diesel) USS Long Island AVG-1

MC-47 The SS MORMACMAIL was aquired by the U.S.Navy on March 6th 1941 and send to Newport News for conversion to an Escort Carrier and designated AVG-1. Intensive work start for this, some of the deckhouse was removed, a hangar was installed and a flight deck (362 ft) covering 2/3 of the hull was installed. In fall 1941 flight deck was extend additional 77 ft.(drawing shows LONG ISLAND in her May 1942 configuration, with extended flight deck).

Design: C3	Albina Engine & Machine Works, Portland, Oregon
Emmigrant Ship / Conversion	MC-47 (1 Conversion / Diesel) MS Seven Seas (ex- Nelly, ex- Long Island USS CVE-1, ex- Mormacmail I)

USS Long Island CVE-1 was decommissioned by U.S.Navy on March 26th 1946 and struck from Naval Vessel Register and laid-up at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In December 1946 sold to Zidell Ship Dismantling Co., towed to Portland, Oregon and laid-up. On December 3rd 1948 sold to Canada Europe Line and transferred to Albina Engine & Machine Works for reconversion into an Immigrant ship. In January 1949 resold to Caribbean Land & Shipping Co. and renamed to NELLY. She was transferred to Panamanian Flag and Registry and operated by T.Gootas & Co.Inc. In 1953 renamed to SEVEN SEAS operator was changed to the "University of the Seven Seas". In April 1955 operator changed to "Europa Canada Line GmbH" and transferred to German Flag and Registry. In October 1955 operator changed to "H.A.P.A.G (Hamburgische Amerikanische Packetfahrt AG". In June 1956 again operated by "Europa Canada Line GmbH". On November 6th 1962 arrived at Bremerhaven and laid-up. On January 1st 1963 again came under "H.A.P.A.G." control. On July 18th 1965 after engine room fire (voyage - Roterdam / New York) towed to Halifax, Nova Scotia by USCG vessel ABSECON and Netherland MV LERSE ZEE. Decommissioned in September 1966 and towed to Rottterdam. Sold and used as Barrackship for students at Parkhavn, Netherland. In 1970 used as Barrackship for yard workers of the Verolme United Shipyards. She was sold for scrap on May 4th 1977 to Heyghen Freres at Ghent, Belge and arrived on May 5th 1977.

Design: C3-E	Bethlehem Steel Co., SB Division, Quincy, Massachussetts
Cargo	MC-34 to 37 and 102 to 105 (8 Built / Turbine) SS Exporter (I), SS Explorer, SS Exchange, SS Express, SS Exemplar, SS Exhibitor, SS Executor (I), SS Examiner

The 8 vessels design C3-E are a private design of the American Export Line, with the typical Export-Line-stern. 3 vessels aquired by U.S.Navy for war use, and returned to American Export after the war. These type were equipped with loading gear for heavy cargo e.g.locomotives etc.

Design: C3-IN P & C	Ingalls Shipbuilding Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Army Transport	MC-164 to 166 (3 Built / Turbine) USAT Henry Gibbins, USAT David C.Shanks, USAT Fred C.Ainsworth

Threse three ships were intended for the United States Line's New York - London service and were given to be converted to carry 165 passengers in one class, as well as cargo. This was planned for 8,200 tons deadweight with some 53,000 cu.ft. of refrigerated space. Originally named as AMERICAN BANKER (II), AMERICAN FARMER (II) and AMERICAN SHIPPER (II). Renamed and launched as BILOXI, GULFPORT and PASS CHRISTIAN. All three vessels were aquired by the Army Transportation Corps during outfitting, and were renamed to HENRY GIBBINS, DAVID C.SHANKS and FRED C.AINSWORTH. Drawing shows HENRY GIBBINS as Army Transport in her 1946 - 1949 outfit.

Design: C3 P & C (Delta-Type)	Bethlehem Steel Co., SB Division, Sparrows Point, Maryland
Passenger & Cargo	MC-48 to 50 and 150 to 152 (6 Built / Turbine) SS Delbrasil, SS Delorleans (I), SS Delargentino (I), SS Deluruguay, SS Delorleans (II), SS Delargentino (II)

A contract for the building of three passenger and cargo ships for the Mississippi Shipping Co., was awarded to the Bethlehem Steel Co., Sparrows Point, Maryland, in December 1938 for completion in the second half of 1940. These ships were from a private design by the Mississippi Shipping Co.Three more were contracted for in April 1940. The six ships were for service between the Gulf ports and the East coast of South America. Passenger accommodation was provided for 67 in 26 staterooms on the shelter deck. There were two other complete decks. All vessels except DELARGENTINO were aquired for navy use as AP and APA's. Drawing shows the Delbrasil in her original 1940 configuration.

Drawing shows the AFRICAN ENTERPRISE owned and operated by Farrell Lines (American South African Lines Inc.) in her post WWII configuration. Sold by Farrell in 1949 under the Merchant Ship Sales Act of 1946. She served during WWII as Army Transport and was renamed to J.W.MCANDREW and operated by the Army Transportation Corps. In 1960 she was Trade-In under the Exchange Act and laid-up at the James River Reserve Fleet. She was scrapped in 1972 at Baltimore.

Design: C3 P & C and C3-A P & C	Newport News SB & DD Co.,Newport News,Virginia
Passenger & Cargo	MC-54 to 58 and 110 (6 Built / Turbine) SS President Monroe, SS President Hayes, SS President Garfield, SS President Adams, SS President Van Buren, SS President Polk

This series of 6 vessels of combined passenger and cargo vessels were built for American President Lines round-the-world-service. Aquired by U.S.Navy and converted to Transports (AP), all were redesignated in 1943 to Amphibious Attack Transprts (APA). All vessels except PRESIDENT MONROE and PRESIDENT POLK (with accomodations for 98 passengers) remained under Navy custody after the war (drawing shows an C3 P & C in post-war configuration).

All six vessels were aquired from American President Lines by the U.S.Navy under the terms and provisions of the Merchant Marine Act of 1936 between June 1941 and Janury 1942, and converted into Transports bearing the Navy designation AP (USS PRESIDENT JACKSON AP-37, USS PRESIDENT ADMAS AP-38, USS PRESIDENT HAYES AP-39, USS THOMAS STONE AP-59 (ex- President Van Buren), USS THOMAS JEFFERSON AP-60 (ex- President Garfield) and USS PRESIDENT MONROE AP-104). In February 1943 following vessels changed her designation to APA (Amphibious Attack Transports) PRESIDENT JACKSON APA-18, PRESIDENT ADAMS APA-19, PRESIDENT HAYES APA-20 and THOMAS JEFFERSON APA-30. PRESIDENT MONROE AP-104 ret'd to WSA custody and was converted into an WSA Troop Transport. USS THOMAS STONE was torpedoed on November 7th 1942 by german submarine U-205 33 miles off Cape de Palos, Spain at position 37°31'N. 00°00'E (Operation Torch). Heavily damaged, all troops were embarked. Vessel towed to Algier and for more than one year Navy try to salvage the vessel. Also redesignated as APA-29 in February 1943 vessel was declared a CTL in 1944 and sold locally for scrapping 1947. Drawing shows PRESIDENT HEAYS as Navy Transport AP-39.

Design: C3 P & C	Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, Pennsylvania
Passenger & Cargo	MC-59 to 62 (4 Built / Diesel) MS Rio Hudson, MS Rio Parana, MS Rio De La Plata, MS Rio De Janeiro

Four vessels were ordered for the Moore-McCormack passenger and cargo service to the East coast of South America (American Republics Line), a quartet notable in that they were the first large American passenger ships to be fitted with oil engines, 2 x 6-cylinder Doxford sets to give 9,000 shp, built under licence by the ship builders. They were to give 174- knots by a single screw, through reduction gearing. The ships were designed to carry 216 passengers with, of course, a proportionate increase in public rooms. In the design a number of compartments - small staterooms of 12 ft x 6 ft were contemplated, although an upper berth could be fitted if accommodation for two was needed. With each stateroom a private toilet and bath were fitted and it was considered that the idea of private accommodation in post-war travel would be a welcome innovation. All staterooms and public rooms were to be air-conditioned - the first passenger ships to have all their passenger spaces so fitted. All four ships were contracted for in February 1 939 and all were launched during the winter of 1940-41, but war intervened and they were never finished as contemplated, being taken over and converted to escort carriers.

Design: C3 P & C	Newport News SB & DD Co., Newport News, Virginia
Escort Carrier Conversion	MC-59 to 62 (4 Built / Diesel) HMS Avenger D14, HMS Biter D 97, USS Charger AVG-30, HMS Dasher D 37

All four vessels were aquired incomplete by Commission and sold to U.S.Navy for conversion to Escort Carriers. The RIO DE LA PLATA was send for conversion to Newport News SB & DD Co.at Newport News, Virginia. Vessel leaved Cester, Pa on October 10th 1941 and arrived at Newport News, Va on October 4th 1941. She was commissioned by the Navy on March 3rd 1942 designated and named to AVG-30 USS Charger. The other three vessels were converted by Bethlehem Steel Co., Hoboken, NJ (Rio Hudson), Atlantic Basin Iron Works, New York, NY (Rio Parana) and Tietjen & Land DD Co., New York (Rio De Janeiro).

Design: C3 P & C	Bethlehem Steel Co., SB Division, Hoboken, New Jersey
Passenger Ship Conversion	MC-62 (1 Built / Diesel) MS Fairsea

CHARGER was decommission ed on March 15th 1946 at New York and laid up until January 1947 when she was sold to the National Bulk Carriers Corp.On February 28th 1949 she was purchased by the Alvion SS Corp., Panama (Navcot Corp., New York) and was sent to Bethlehem Steel Co's Hoboken yard for conversion to a passenger ship with accommodation for some 1,800 passengers. Remeasured at 11,678grt, she was renamed FAIRSEA. Her profile now showed a long superstructure on which were placed many double-banked boats and a large, sloping-top funnel. The FAIRSEA was placed on the Germany to Australia emigrant run in the winter of 1949-50. In November 1953, while berthed at Melbourne, she suffered fire damage when a tank in her engine room exploded.

Design: C3 P P & C	Ingalls Shipbuilding Corporation, Pascagoula, Mississippi
Amhibious Attack Transport / APA	MC-106 to 109 (4 Built / Turbine) USS Arthur Middleton AP-55, USS Samuel Chase AP-56, USS George W.Clymer AP-57, USAT George W.Goethals

The second contract for four C3 cargo ships was awarded to Ingalls in October 1939, these vessels to be for the North Atlantic service of the United States Lines, and with passenger accomodations for twelve. The allocated names of the ships bore the customary "American" prefix (American Banker, American Shipper, American Farmer and American Merchant). In September 1940 a further contract for three ships for the American South African Line Inc., was awarded to Ingalls. Meanwhile, the United States Lines had ceased its North Atlantic service due to the Neutrality Act and three of the ships which had been ordered for these company were transferred to American South African Line, and the the last three ordered were allocated for later delivery to USL. The three ships that were transferred to ASAL were to be modified as combination passenger and cargo ships, the preliminary designs being given the designation C3-IN P & C. Noextensive changes were made in the hull arrangements however, when they were changed over to the C3-P P & C designation. Launched as AFRICAN COMET, AFRICAN METEOR, AFRICAN PLANET and PASCAGOULA, the first three were aquired by the U.S.Navy for completion as Troop Transports and the last by the Army Transportation Corps for completion as Army Transport. In February 1943 the three Navy Transports were redesignated to Amphibious Attack Transports (APA), becoming APA-25, APA-26 and APA-27. Drawing shows USS SAMUEL CHASE APA-26 in her 1943 outfit.

Design: C3-S-A1	Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Escort Carrier	MC-160 (1 Built / Turbine) HMS Battler D18 (ex- Mormacmail II)
	Seattle-Tacoma SB Corp., Tacoma, Washington
	MC-169 to 170, 178 to 179 and 233 to 262 (34 Built / Turbine) USS Copahee CVE-12 ex- Steel Architect), USS Bogue CVE-9 (ex- Steel Advocate), USS Card CVE-11, USS Core CVE-13, HMS Tracker D24 (ex- Mormacmail III), USS Nassau CVE-16, USS Altamaha CVE-18, USS Barnes CVE-20, USS Block Island CVE-21, HMS Searcher D40, USS Breton CVE-23, HMS Ravager D70, USS Croata CVE-25, USS Prince William CVE-31, HMS Slinger D3+, HMS Atheling D51, USS Pybus CVE-34, HMS Ameer D01, USS Bolinas CVE-36, HMS Trumpeter D09, USS Carnegie CVE-38, HMS Khedive D62, HMS Speaker D90, HMS Nabob D77, HMS Premier D23, HMS Shah D21, HMS Patroller D07, HMS Rajah D10, HMS Ranee D03, HMS Trouncer D85, HMS Thane D48, HMS Queen D19, HMS Ruler D72, HMS Arbiter D31, HMS Smiter D55, HMS Puncher D79, HMS Reaper D82

Reconversions from C3-S-A1 (Escort Carrier)

A total of 38 C3-S-A1 were built (34 by Seattle-Tacoma and 4 by Ingalls). No vessel wwas completed as Cargo Vessels. All vessels were converted to Escort Carriers (CVE) and served for the U.S.Navy and the Royal Navy throughout the war. After the war 21 of these were reconverted to cargo vessels with passenger accomodations and sold under the Merchant Sales Act of 1946 to U.S.and Foreign Steamship Companies and served up to the early 1970's (drawing shows the SS REMPANG owned and operated by N.V.Stoomvaart Matschaapij under Netherland Flag and Registry).

Another former Escort Carrier, design C3-S-A1, the HMS NABOB D 77 (ex- EDISTO CVE-41), after she was reconverted to an cargo vessel in 1951-52 by A.G.Weser, Bremen, Germany and renamed to SS NABOB. Owned and operated by Roland-Linie Schiffahrtsgesellschaft mbH under German Flag and Registry (Only C3 ever sailed under German Flag). The major difference between her and SS REMPANG is the much smaller superstructure.

Another former Escort Carrier, design C3-S-A1, the HMS REAPER D 82 (ex- Winjah CVE-54), after reconversion by Gulf SB Co., Chickasaw, Alabama to SS RHODESIA STAR (with passenger accomodations). Owned by Lamport & Holt Line Ltd.and operated by Blue Star Line Ltd.under British Flag and Registry.

Another reconversion from Escort Carriers were the ROBIN KIRK (ex- HMS AMEER D 01), ROBIN MOWBRAY (ex- HMS CHATHAM D 26) and the ROBIN TRENT (ex- HMS RAVAGER D 70) for the Sea Shipping Co.Inc. A major difference after reconversion was the kingpost like funnel and the box like midship house.

Like many other vessels, the SALTA is the result from a reconverted Escort Carrier. Built by Seattle-Tacoma as USS JAMAICA CVE-43, she was loaned to te Royal Navy designated and renamed to HMS SHAH D 21. Returned to U.S.in December 1945. She was sold to Compania Argentina De Navegacion Dodero S.A.and transferred to Argentine Flag and Registry. Conversion to an Immigrant ship start in March 1949 by Newport News SB & DD Co.at Newport News, Virginia. Renamed to SALTA she was later resold to Empresa Lineas Maritimas Argentinas. Removed from operation in December 1964 and laid up at Buenos Aires, after suffering boiler trouble. She was sold in June 1966 to local shipbreakers.

Design: C3-S-A2	Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Cargo, Navy Amphibious Attack Transport, Escort Carrier, WSA Troop Transport, Submarine Tender	MC-161 to 163, 388 to 393, 426 to 431, 856 to 885, 1804 to 1810 and 2589 to 2594 (58 Built / Turbine) HMS Hunter D80 (ex- Mormacpenn III), HMS Chaser D32 (ex- Mormacgulf), HMS Pursuer D73 (ex- Mormacland II), USS Custer APA-40, USS Du Page APA-41, USS Elmore APA-42, USS Fayette APA-43, USS Fremont APA-44, USS Henrico APA-45, Sea Scamp (WSA), Sea Porpoise (WSA), USS Leon APA-48, Sea Star (WSA), USS Knox APA-46, USS Lamar APA-47, USS Aegir AS-23, Sea Marlin (WSA), USS Anthedon AS-24, Sea Perch (WSA), USS Apollo AS-25, USS Clytie AS-26, USS Burleigh APA-95, Sea Owl (WSA), USS Dade APA-99, Sea Tiger (WSA), USS Mendocino APA-100, Sea Robin (WSA), USS Montour APA-101, Sea Quail (WSA), USS Riverside APA-102, USS Griggs APA-110, USS Westmoreland APA-104, USS Grundy APA-111, USS Guilford APA-112, USS Sitka APA-113, USS Hamblen APA-114, USS Hampton APA-115, USS Hannover APA-116, Sea Hawk (II), Sea Falcon, Sea Carp (II), Sea Dolphin (II), Sea Adder (II), Sea Hare (II), Sea Tarpon, Sea Triton, Sea Centaur, Sea Hydra, Marguerite Le Hand, Sea PHoenix, Sea Pegasus, Kathleen S.Holmes, William Harris Hardy, Sea Scorpion, Sea Satyr, Sea Lynx, Sea Skimmer, Sea Stallion,
	Western Pipe & Steel Co., San Francisco, California
Cargo, Navy Amphibious Attack Transport, WSA Troop Transport	MC-171, 174, 197 to 198, 267 to 283 and 1544 to 1557 (35 Built / Turbine) HMS Attacker D02 (ex- Steel Artisan), HMS Stalker D91 (ex- Hamlin), HMS Fencer D64, HMS Striker D12, Sea Pike (WSA), Sea Bass (WSA), USS Bolivar APA-34, USS Callaway APA-35, USS Cambria APA-36, Sea Snipe (WSA), USS Chilton APA-38, USS Clay APA-39, USS Bayfield APA-33, USS Cavalier APA-37, Sea Barb (WSA), Sea Cat (WSA), Sea Devil (WSA), Sea Flasher (WSA), USS Alpine APA-92, USS Barnstable APA-93, Sea Corporal (WSA), USS Cecil APA-96, Sea Fiddler (WSA), Sea Flier (WSA), Sea Sturgeon (WSA), Sea Runner (WSA), Sea Ray (WSA), Sea Patridge (WSA), USS Hansford APA-106, USS Goodhue APA-107, USS Goshen APA-108, USS Grafton APA-109, Sea Cardinal, Sea Shark, Sea Blenny

Similar to type C3-S-A1 also the 55 vessels type C3-S-A2, built by Ingalls are a further development of the C3 basic design and during the war stood the test as cargo vessel and transport and after the war as cargo liner. During the war Ingalls converted 4 to Escort Carrier (CVE), 22 to Amphibious Attack Transports (APA) and 4 to Submarine Tenders (AS). Further 35 vessels were built by Western & Pipe & Steel Co.at South San Francisco, California. During the war 4 served as Escort Carriers (CVE) and 14 werre converted to Amphibious Attack Transports (APA), the remaining 17 vessels served as cargo ships under War Shipping Administration custody. After the war nearly all Navy A2's were reconverted to civil standards and sold under Merchant Sales Act of 1946. With great popularity operated by U.S. and Foreign Steamship Companies into the 1970's (drawing shows one the Matson Navigation Co.A2's, a total of 15 C3-S-A2 were purchased by Matson after the war).

Reconversions and Conversions from the C3-S-A2 Design

Design: C3-S-A2	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries,Shimonoseki,Japan
Containership	MC-1807 (1 Converted / Turbine) Pacific Banker (ex- Marguerite Le Hand, ex- Hawaiian Craftsman)

Pacific Banker after her conversion into an Containership. Owned and operated by Matson Navigation Co.under U.S.Flag and Registry.

Design: C3-S-A3	Bethlehem Steel Co., SB Division, Sparrows Point, Maryland
Passenger / Cargo, Navy Transport, Navy Amphibious Attack Transport	MC-589 to 594, 1675 to 1678, 2251 to 2253 and 2794 to 2795 (15 Built / Turbine) USS Windsor AP-100; USS Wood AP-101, Excelsior, Exchequer, Exminster, Exchester (II), USS Dauphin APA-97, USS Dutchess APA-98, USS Queens APA-103, USS Shelby APA-105, Exchester (III), Executor (II), Exporter (II), Exbrook, Exford

The C3-S-A3 was a private design of the American Export Line and have the typical Export-Line-Stern. These type were equipped with loading gear for heavy cargo e.g.locomotives etc. Six vessels were aquired during construction by U.S.Navy and completed as Amphibious Attack Transports (APA), all reconverted back and handed over to American Export. After the war 4 of these vessels were converted with passenger accomodations for 125 passengers (drawing shows SS EXETER in her post war configuration, with passenger accomodations).

Design: C3-S-A4	Western Pipe and Steel Co., San Francisco, California
Cargo	MC-2188 to 2193 (6 Built / Turbine) President Taft, President Grant, President Pierce, President Madison, President McKinley, President Jefferson

A series of six C3-S-A2 were modified to the A4 standard for the demands of the American President Lines Ltd.

Design: C3-S-A5	Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Cargo	MC-2790 to 2793 and 2869 to 2871 (7 Built / Turbine) Mormacgulf (II), Mormacisle, Mormacdawn, Mormacland (III), Mormacmail (IV), Mormacpenn (IV), Mormacsaga

Similar to the types C3-S-A1 and A2, 7 vessels type C3-S-A5 were build for Moore-McCormack and 10 vessels for the Netherland Account (private contract signed by Royal Netherland Goverment) were built after the war (drawing shows the Netherland SS Limburg, owned and operated by N.V.Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd under Netherland Flag and Registry. Similar to the Moore-McCormack vessels, it differs in funnel and kingposts.

Design: C3-S-BH2	Federal SB & DD Co., Kearny, New Jersey
Cargo	MC-2089 to 2094 (6 Built / Turbine) African Star (II), African Planet (II), African Rainbow, African Crescent, African Moon, African Lightning

The six vessels of the African Star class have as a prototype the U.S.Maritime Commission basic C-3 design, numerous examples of which have been built by Federal, with slight structural modifications, changes in deep tanks, cargo-handling rig, refrigeration space, fuel oil capacity, passenger and crew accommodations, public spaces, and galley and pantries to meet special needs of the line.

Design: C3-S-DX1	Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Cargo	MC-2918 (1 Built / Turbine) Schuyler Otis Bland

As prototype C3-S-DX1, designed for the mass production of fast cargo vessels, and in case of war also suitable for military purposes. SS SCHUYLER OTIS Bland ws built with many innovations (e.g.McGregor hatchcovers). Typical is dummy funnel combined with the bridge and the two kingpostlike stacks abait.

Design: C3-S1-A3	Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation, Tacoma, Washington
Army Transport	MC-167 (1 Built / Turbine) USAT Frederick Funston

Design: C3-S1-BR1	Ingalls SB Corp., Pascagoula, Mississippi
Passenger / Cargo	MC-1811 to 1813 (3 Built / Turbine) Del Norte, Del Sud, Del Mar

For the South America Service, 3 combined passenger-cargo vessels type C3-S1-BR1 were built after the war for Delta Lines. Distinctive feature of these vessels with accomodations for 120 passengers are the tall dummy funnel combined with bridge and two kingpostlike stacks abailt (darwing shows SS DEL MAR).