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| USN Design 1013 Cargo Ship 12,596 Tons 409' 6" x 54' 1" x 24' 6"  Skinner & Eddy 1917  Pope & Talbot Inc. May 31, 1941    U.S. Department of Transportation December 24, 1941 |
Ship History Built by Skinner & Eddy in Seattle. Laid down September 4, 1917 as Design 1013 cargo ship with yard number 15. Launched December 22, 1917 as SS Absaroka named for the Absaroka Range in Montana and Wyoming. Completed February 12, 1918 for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) and registered in Seattle with code letters LJQR. On September 17, 1918 commissioned in the U.S. Navy (USN) as USS Absaroka (IX-2581) and operated by the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) during World War I. Between October 1918 to February 1919 made two voyages transporting military cargo to France, England and the Netherlands. During her second trip, rescues the crew of War Marvel and lands them at Falmouth, United Kingdom. On February 12, 1919 returns to New York and was drydocked for overhaul. On March 4, 1919 decommissioned and returned to USSB for use as a civilian cargo vessel. In 1927 sold to McCormick Steamship Company. During 1934 used call sign KGDG. During 1940 sold to Pope & Talbot, Inc. and registered in San Francisco and operated as an intercoastal freighter. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, continued to operate as a cargo vessel and was unarmed. During late December 1941, departs Oregon with a cargo of timber bound for Los Angeles. On December 24, 1941 at 10:40am spotted by Japanese submarine I-19 roughly 26 miles off Point Fermin at roughly Lat 33°40'N Long 118°25'W and fires two torpedoes, one missed and the second hit the starboard no. 5 hold that tossed three sailors overboard and aboard one was crushed by timber and the ship begins settling up to her main deck and the crew lowers lifeboats and abandons ship. Responding, USS Amethyst (PYC-3) and several U.S. Army Air Force bombers arrive and drop a pattern of 32 depth charges without causing any damage. Later that day, Cdr Narahara reports the sinking of a medium-sized American transport. Although damaged, the cargo ship remains afloat due to her cargo of timber and is later reboarded and beached by tug boats near Fort MacArthur. On May 9, 1942 delivered to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) operated by Pope & Talbot with an operating agreement for the Army Transportation Corps requirements. On August 16, 1943 changed to a General Agency Agreement (GAA) until the end of World War II. Postwar On April 9, 1946 returned to Pope & Talbot at San Francisco and five days later sold to the Greece government and renamed Prima Vista (also spelled Primavista). During 1948 sold to Samsco and renamed Panenterprise and registered in Panama. In 1949 purchased by Mary Louisa. In 1952 purchased by Tidewater Commercial and renamed Maryland. Fate During 1954 broken up and sold for scrap. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Absaroka (Id.No. 2581) NavSource - Absaroka (ID 2581) US MARAD - Absaroka Vessel Status Card U.S. Department of Transportation MARAD - Absaroka (photos, status card) Vessel Status Card - SS John H. Couch Report on U.S. Merchant Vessel War Action Casualty - Absaroka 12/24/41 list location of attack sas 31 miles south of Point Vicente, California Contribute
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