SS Explorer WWII Troopship
SS Explorer
SS Explorer
Source: Outboard Profiles of Maritime Commission Vessels
Design: C3-E * Bethlehem Steel Co., SB Division, Quincy, Massachussetts
Cargo * MC-34 to 37 and 102 to 105 (8 Built/Turbine) SS Explorer (I), SS Explorer, SS Exchange, SS Express, SS Exemplar, SS Exhibitor, SS Executor (I), SS Examiner
The 8 vessels design C3-E are a private design of the American Export lIne, with the typical Export-line-stern. 3 vessels aquired by U.S. Navy for war use, and returned to American Export after the war. These type were engaged with loading gear for heavy cargo e.g. locomotives, etc.
Campaign of Normandy with mention of the SS Explorer (but not of the 298th).
Source: TROOPSHIPS OF WORLD WAR II, published by The Army Transportation Association, Washington, D.C. (pg 186)
EXPLORER
Length, oyeralL 473' 1" * Gross tons 6,736 * Propulsion __________ Turbine
Beam 66' O" * Speed (knots) ____ l6 1/2 * Passengers 2,129
Draft --- 27' 1" * Radius (miles) ___ 20,000 * Cargo (cu. ft) ____ 127,340
Built in 1939 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.
Operated during World War II by American Export Lines, Inc.
THE EXPLORER operated as a C3 type cargo vessel for nearly four
years before becoming a troopship. As a freighter~ she made many
voyages to various areas in the war effort~ two of the longest being: (1) From Baltimore in December 1942, through the Panama Canal, to Premantle (Australia), Shatt-al-Arab (Iraq), Bombay (India), Colombo
(Ceylon.), Calcutta and Vizagapatam (India), and return via Fremantle
and the Canal Zone to New York in late May 1943; (2) From New York
in early June to Oran, Gibraltar, and Casablanca, back to New York in
late July.
Conversion of the EXPLORER to a troopship was done by the Simpson Plant of Bethlehem Steel Co. at Boston, Mass., between early August
and early November 1943.
Leaving Boston on 6 November, the ship made five voyages to the
Clyde before May 1944-returning: in each case to either Boston or New
York. On 13 May she departed from Boston to the Mersey, Liverpool,
Cardiff (Wales) and Belfast (Ireland). Returning to Boston in late July, the vessel made another voyage to the Clyde, followed by one to Cherbourg and the United Kingdom, one from New York to Bristol and Avonmouth, and one from New York to the Mersey, Liverpool and Belfast.
From the latter the EXPLORER returned to New York in January 1945.
Ten days later she proceeded to Europe for five months shuttle service
between Le Havre and Southampton, returning in June to Hampton Roads.
The ship made a voyage from Norfolk to Le Havre in July and one
from Boston to Le Havre in August. V-J Day having occurred, the
EXPLORER was dispatched to the Pacific, via the Panama Canal, and
proceeded directly to Manila, from where she retumed to Seattle in
October. Touching at San Francisco for repairs, the vessel went to Nagoya, Japan and from there sailed for the Canal Zone and New York,
where she arrived 3 January 1946 and was released from troopship service.
Please e-mail Bob Kipke who will forward any information.
