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| USN Heywood-class Transport 7,630 Tons 507' x 56' x 29' 9" 1 x 5"/38 DP gun 4 x 3"/50 dual gun 8 x .50 cal machine guns   USN August 8, 1942 |
Ship History Built by Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Alameda, CA. Laid down during 1918 as SS War Haven for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). Completed October 19, 1918 and acquired by the United States Navy (USN). Commissioned October 21, 1918 as USS Victorious (ID-3514). Decommissioned February 24 1919 and struck from the Naval Register. Afterwards, returned to the United States Shipping Board for disposal. In 1931, acquired by the Baltimore Mail S.S. Co. and renamed SS City of Havre. The ship was lengthened and passenger accommodations added. In 1938 acquired by Panama Pacific Lines and renamed SS City of Los Angeles. On October 30, 1940 again acquired by the U.S. Navy (USN) and converted into a Heywood-class transport capable of accommodating 1,278 personnel. Commissioned January 10, 1941 with Captain Harry G. Patrick in command.. Named USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) in honor of George F. Elliott, a U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) officer who fought in the Spanish-American War in the Battle of Guantánamo Bay on Cuba and was later promoted to the rank of Major General and became Commandant of the Marine Corps until his retirement in 1910. Wartime History During 1941, transported the 1st Marine Brigade to the Caribbean for training exercises, operating out of Norfolk. On February 19, 1942 departed from New York with 1,100 personnel from the 107th Combat Engineer Battalion and joined a convoy off Halifax before arriving at Belfast on March 3, 1942, then returned to New York on March 25, 1942. On April 9, 1942 departed with another convoy with 1,229 personnel for Tongatapu arriving in May 1942. Departed Tongatapu on May 19, 1942 and steamed for San Francisco arriving on June 5, 1942 for repairs. On June 22, 1942 departed San Francisco with 1,300 personnel of the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines as part of a convoy bound for Wellington arriving on July 11, 1942 and additional cargo was loaded. On July 22, 1942 departed Wellington as part of Task Force 62 (TF-62) and conducted landing maneuvers in Fiji then proceeded to Guadalcanal. On August 7, 1942 participated in the initial landing on Guadalcanal and at 7:33am sent her boats ashore to land at Red Beach and landing cargo into the night. As the landing beach had become congested, Elliott anchored in the Lunga Point Anchorage overnight. Sinking History On August 8, 1942 while awaiting orders to resume landing her remaining cargo, an air raid alert was sounded, the ship weighed anchor and began raising steam to getting underway by 11:00am and move the center of Iron Bottom Sound at a speed of 10.5 knots. Just before noon, the formation of twenty-three G4M1 Betty bombers attacked from minimum altitude and eight were shot down due to anti-aircraft fire and others were intercepted by F4F WIldcats only a few managed to release their torpedoes. During the attack, G4M1 Betty pilot Sasaki was damaged by F4F Wildcats from USS Enterprise (CV-6). At 12:02 the damaged bomber approached USS George F. Elliott from the starboard side and was fired on and hit by her gunners before impacting the starboard boat deck aft of the stack. Burning fuel and wreckage damaged the rear fire main pipe and a fire from below decks was fueled by supplies aboard and stowed topside. Due to the flames, the engine room was abandoned and the ship stopped dead in the water. The crew vainly attempted a bucket brigade to fight the fires. Due to the air raid, other vessels were unable to render support. When the rear bulkhead failed, fuel was released into the rear hold. Shortly before 1:00pm, the crew abandoned ship and the ship sank north of Lunga Point into Iron Bottom Sound. Officially struck from the Naval Register on October 2, 1942. Awards USS George F. Elliott earned one battle star for her World War II service. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) Navy Source - USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) Mitsubishi Type 1 Rikko Betty Units of World War 2 page 45-46 The First Team and the Guadalcanal Campaign page 76, 78, 621 A Helmet For My Pillow author Robert Leckie was aboard USS George F. Elliott for the landing on Guadalcanal You'll Be Sor-ree! author Sidney "Sid" Phillips was aboard USS George F. Elliott to New Zealand Bill Coggin HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines was aboard USS George F. Elliott Contribute
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