The Liberty Ships Sail On

摘要

With England entering WWII in 1939 and the US soon to follow, Germany's U-boats made something very clear - more ships had to be launched than were being sunk. The answer was found in the update of a 19th century British tramp steamer design for a simple cargo ship with a three-cylinder 2,500hp reciprocating steam engine.rnThe prefabricated American Liberty Ship programme would build an astonishing 2,710 vessels, despite inexperienced shipyard workers. They were launched in record time, were easy to sail with quickly trained crews and carried 75% of all war supplies shipped.rnCivilian contractors, with no previous marine experience, built parts. Any group that bought $2M in war bonds could suggest a name for a Liberty ship.rnToday, there are only two Liberties still sailing, the John W Brown, based in Baltimore, and the Jeremiah O'Brien, inrnSan Francisco - although a third is now in the wings.rnJohn W Brown has proved particularly resilient. First launched as part of the wartime 'bridge of ships' and used in combat, it was then saved from scrapping by becoming a maritime high school in New York City. It is still sailing after over six decades as a museum ship.