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| USN EC2-S-C1 Liberty Ship 7,1176 Tons 441' 7" x 57' x 26' 9" (As Built) 1 x 5" 38 cal stern gun 7 x 20mm AA guns (October 1942) 1 x 3" 50 cal bow gun (June 1943) 2 x 20mm cannons added (March 1943) 2 x 3" 50 cal stern guns |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem-Fairfield Ship Yards Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. Ordered May 1, 1941 by the U.S. Maritime Commission (MC). Laid down July 28, 1942 as a Maritime Commission Emergency Cargo Ship (EC2-S-C1) Liberty Ship with MC hull number 312. Launched September 7, 1942 as SS John W. Brown named for labor leader John W. Brown sponsored by Annie Green, wife of the president of the Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers as the third of three liberty ships launched at the yard that same day. Placed into service September 19, 1942 with her total construction time only 54 days with a total of 500,000 man hours at a cost of $1,750,00. Armed with a 5" 38 cal gun at the stern plus seven 20mm cannons for anti-aircraft defense. The same day, delivered to States Marine Corporation in Baltimore under a General Agency Agreement (GAA) for the U.S. Navy (USN) as a cargo vessel. Her crew was comprised of merchant marines with U.S. Navy armed guards manning her guns. Wartime History During the war, John W. Brown made 13 voyages to the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean, including duty during the Anion landings. She was also part of the liberation force of Southern France during Operation Dragoon during August 1944. Postwar At the end of World War II. transported cargo to Europe and returned U.S. troops back to the United States. On December 13, 1946 loaned to the City of New York, Board of Education where she became a floating nautical high school until 1982. Project Liberty Ship was formed to preserve the ship, but was not successful keeping her in New York On July 31, 1983 towed to James River as part of the reserve fleet. On August 27, 1985 returned to the U.S. Maritime Commission. Meanwhile, Project Liberty Ship Baltimore secured a home for the ship in Baltimore Harbor, Maryland. On June 29, 1988 transfered to Project Liberty Ship as a Merchant Marine Memorial. Today During September 1988, John W. Brown was dedicated as a Merchant Marine Memorial and museum ship at Dundalk Marine Terminal in Baltimore Harbor, Maryland. For the next three years, the liberty ship underwent repair and restoration. On August 24, 1991, steamed under her own power for the first time in 45 years, and completed sea trials in Chesapeake Bay. On September 21, 1991, John W. Brown carried about 600 guests on her inaugural cruise. In 1994, John W. Brown received Coast Guard Certification for ocean voyages. For the first time since 1946, in April she made her first offshore voyage to New York and in August, visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, then Boston, Massachusetts and Greenport, New York. In 2000 she visited the Great Lakes for dry docking and hull work in Toledo, Ohio. As of September 2007, the bow 3 inch gun and several 20mm cannon were rigged with compressed gas firing simulators (oxygen and a fuel gas of some sort) for historical re-enactments of air defense. Today, John W. Brown still puts out to sea for "Living History Day Cruises". Today, only two liberty ships remain in the United States, the other is SS Jeremiah O'Brien. References U.S. Department of Transportation MARAD - John W. Brown (photos, status card) Vessel Status Card - SS John W. Brown Liberty Ships built by the United States Maritime Commission in World War II Project Liberty Ship - SS John W. Brown Designated a National Historic Landmark, 97001295 Contribute
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