SS Mauna Loa

SS Mauna Loa was a cargo vessel built in 1919 by the Federal Shipbuilding Company for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). It was named after Mauna Loa, an active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. The ship had a long and varied career, serving as a commercial freighter, a troop transport during World War II, and a floating warehouse before being sunk by a German submarine in 1942.

Construction and early career

The SS Mauna Loa was built in Kearny, New Jersey, at the Federal Shipbuilding Company's yard. The ship was launched in 1919 and delivered to the USSB, which operated it as a commercial freighter. The ship was 428 feet long, 56 feet wide, and had a draft of 27 feet. It was powered by a triple expansion steam engine that drove a single propeller, giving it a speed of 11 knots.

World War II service

With the outbreak of World War II, the SS Mauna Loa was requisitioned by the United States Army and converted into a troop transport. The ship was used to carry soldiers and supplies to various theaters of the war, including the Pacific Theater. In this role, the ship was armed with a 3-inch deck gun and several anti-aircraft guns for defense against enemy attacks.

Sinking

On February 28, 1942, while en route from New York City to Guantanamo Bay, the SS Mauna Loa was torpedoed by the German submarine U-128. The ship sank within minutes, taking with it 24 of the 34 crew members on board. The survivors were rescued by the United States Coast Guard.

Legacy

The wreck of the SS Mauna Loa lies in 900 feet of water off the coast of Florida. It is a popular site for scuba diving and has been visited by several expeditions, including one led by famed underwater explorer Robert Ballard.