EFC Design 1103: Notes & Illustrations
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Notes: During the decade and a half before World War I the Atlantic Transport Line was renowned for its comfortable First Class London to New York passenger service. During the war the line suspended this service but kept its freight service running, although losing two of its freight steamers (one in March 1917 and one in September 1918). In early 1917 Atlantic Transport either ordered or purchased two new large freight steamers that the New York Shipbuilding Co. of Camden, N.J., added at that time to its order book as Yard nos. 202 and 203. (Four other smaller cargo ships for yard account, probably Yard nos. 204-207, followed in April 1917.) A history of the yard described the 12,179 deadweight ton cargo vessels as a "useful size of general freighter especially adapted to bulky cargoes." They were technically flush deck shelter deck vessels with three decks, but there were three locations amidships where the superstructure came out to the sides of the ship like hull islands. See the page on EFC Design 1079 for more on three-decked shelter deck ships. At some time during the first half of 1918, well after the requisitioning of all ships then on the books took effect on 3 August 1917, the yard added a third ship of the class to its order book as its Yard no. 243 between orders for large EFC transports placed in December 1917 (EFC 1012-1014) and July 1918 (EFC 2585-2591). The company finally got a contract for this ship, Scottsburg, from the EFC on 18 October 1918 as EFC Hull 2601, eleven days after she was laid down. At around this time her design was designated EFC Design 1103. Upon completion Champion was "reconveyed to the Atlantic Transport Co." on 1 October 1919, Defender was "sold" on 3 November 1919 (also ending up with Atlantic Transport), and Scottsburg was turned over on 3 December 1919 to the Export S.S. Co. for operation in the U.K. trade. Requisitioned Sisters: On 3 August 1917 the Shipping Board requisitioned two large cargo ships, Champion and Defender (Yard nos. 202 and 203), that the New York Shipbuilding Co. of Camden, N.J., was building for an American firm. These two requisitioned ships are covered in the Requisitioned Ships portion of the McKellar list. Specifications: Design 1103 (S.S. Scottsburg, EFC Hull 2601): Steel Cargo. Deadweight tons: 11750 designed, 12249 actual. Dimensions: 419.25' length pp x 56.25' beam mld. x 41.3' depth mld., 31.2' draft loaded. Propulsion: 1 screw, 1 quadruple expansion engine, 3 Scotch boilers, 3350 IHP, 11.25 kts. Configuration: Flush shelter deck with 3 islands amidships, 3 decks (4 at ends: shelter, upper, lower, and orlop), 6 holds, 5 hatches. |
S.S. Scottsburg on 26 November 1919
| S.S. Scottsburg (Design 1103, EFC Hull 2601) on 26 November 1919, just before completion by the New York S.B. Co., Camden, N.J. This type had an unusual configuration with no forecastle or poop but with three locations amidships where the superstructure came out to the sides of the ship like hull islands. (NARA: RG-32-UB) (Click photo to enlarge) |
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S.S. Defender (As Design 1103, Yard No. 203) Photographed on 29 October 1919, probably running trials, shortly before completion by the New York S.B. Co., Camden, N.J. This requisitioned ship and her sister Champion were built to the design that the EFC later designated Design 1103. Photo No. None Source: NARA: RG-32-UB |
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USAT Scottsburg (Design 1103, EFC Hull 2601) In drydock, possibly at the Mare Island Navy Yard. Scottsburg was transferred to the War Department on 2 May 1936 as a temporary replacement for USAT Ludington (ex James Otis) as that ship underwent a major overhaul. She was returned to the Maritime Commission on 12 February 1937 when Ludington returned to service and was simultaneously sold to the Lykes Brothers Ripley Steamship Co. at San Francisco. Photo No. None Source: NavSource |
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S.S. Scottsburg (Design 1103, EFC Hull 2601) In interwar commercial service. She was torpedoed and sunk on 15 June 1942 in the Caribbean west of Grenada. Photo No. None Source: uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/1812.html, from the SSHSA collection. |
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