Name SS John Morgan Way number 12 Completed 12 May 1943 Launched 4 May 1943 | Yard number 2128 Laid down 31 March 1943 Construction started 31 March 1943 | |
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Namesake General John Tyler Morgan Builder Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation | ||
SS John Morgan was a World War II liberty ship built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at their Bethlehem-Fairfield yard at Baltimore, Maryland, and launched on 4 May 1943.
However, on 1 June 1943, during its maiden voyage John Morgan collided with the tanker SS Montana off Cape Henry on the coast of Virginia. The John Morgan broke in two and sank immediately at position 36°59′56″N 75°23′59″W, but started fires aboard the Montana. The USS Shubrick, engaged in gunnery practice in Chesapeake Bay, was sent to investigate. She sent a party aboard Montana to assist in extinguishing the fires, but recalled them after discovering that Montana was also carrying ammunition. Soon afterwards Herndon and Nelson arrived, and circled the area looking for survivors, but recovered only 12 bodies.
The wreck
The ship lies in approximately 110 ft (34 m) of water. It is largely broken up, but the bow and a structure known as the "hospital" are still recognizable. The ship was on the United States lend-lease program and was loaded with war supplies such as Valentine tanks, P-39s, and large amounts of ammunition.