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| USN Design 1013 Cargo Ship 7,176 Tons 441' 6" x 56' 10.75" x 27' 9" 1 x 4" 50 caliber gun 1 x 3" 50 caliber gun 8 x 20mm cannons  U.S. Navy 1943 |
Ship History Built by California Shipbuilding Corp (Calship) on Terminal Island in Los Angeles, California. Laid down March 31, 1942 as EC2-S-C1 Liberty Ship. Launched May 27, 1942 as SS Peter Silvester named for American politician Peter Silvester. Completed June 22, 1942 and operated by Coastwise Line then Pacific Far East (PAC) Lines under a General Agency Agreement (GAA). Wartime History During World War II, used to transport military cargo. During April 1942, departs Espiritu Santo across the Pacific bound for San Francisco. On April 29, 1943 while steaming unescorted, targeted by I-19 that fired two torpedoes that missed and exploded harmlessly at Long 18°34S Long 176°21E. In early 1944, modified to add stalls to the deck to transport mules. On March 15, 1944 departs Melbourne transporting 2,700 tons of U.S. Army supplies plus 317 mules in stalls attached to the deck and troops on a voyage via the Indian Ocean bound for Columbo on Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Sinking History On February 6, 1945 while transiting the Indian Ocean, targeted by U-862 that fired two torpedoes that hit the starboard side at hold no. 3 causing flooding then broke into two with the forward section sinking immediately at roughly Lat 34°19′S Long 99°37′E about 900 miles west of Cape Leeuwin, Western Australia. During the sinking, 33 of the crew and passengers were lost including 7 of the 26-man Armed Guard. Rescue On February 9, 1942 a boatload of survivors was rescued by SS Cape Edmont. References U.S. Department of Transportation MARAD - Peter Silvester (status card) Vessel Status Card - SS Peter Silvester Report on U.S. Merchant Vessel War Action Casualty - Peter Silvester Contribute
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