SS Walter L M Russ

SS Walter L M Russ was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. Named after Walter L. M. Russ, a United States Navy officer and Medal of Honor recipient, the ship was laid down by J.A. Jones Construction in Panama City, Florida on 6th November 1944, and launched on 6th December 1944.

Design and Construction

The SS Walter L M Russ was a standard Liberty ship, a class of cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. The design was standardized by the United States Maritime Commission to speed up production and meet the high demand for cargo ships during the war. The ship was 441 feet long and 56 feet wide, with a cargo capacity of 10,800 deadweight tons.

The ship was named after Walter L. M. Russ, a United States Navy officer who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Boxer Rebellion. The ship was laid down by J.A. Jones Construction in Panama City, Florida, a major shipbuilding center during the war. The ship was launched on 6th December 1944, just one month after construction began.

Service History

After its launch, the SS Walter L M Russ was allocated to the Waterman Steamship Corporation under a bareboat charter. The ship served in the Atlantic Theater of Operations, transporting war materials and troops to Europe. After the war, the ship was returned to the United States Maritime Commission and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet.

Fate

The SS Walter L M Russ was eventually scrapped in 1970. The ship had served its purpose, transporting vital supplies and troops during one of the most critical periods in world history.

See Also

• List of Liberty ships
• United States Maritime Commission
• National Defense Reserve Fleet

References

• Liberty Ships built by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, FL
• Liberty Ships – World War II
• Medal of Honor Recipients – Interim Awards, 1901-1911