LIBERTY'S PROVENANCE: THE EVOLUTION OF THE LIBERTY SHIP FROM ITS SUNDERLAND ORIGINS

摘要

The Battle of the Atlantic, fought by the Allies to maintain vital trade routes for all war supplies, could not have been won without the 2,710 Liberty ships that were designed and built for these vital voyages to Europe and elsewhere. Built in America by Kaiser and others, the groundwork for these ships came from the North Sands shipyard of Joseph Thompson & Sons in Sunderland on the River Wear in England. In 1935 the SS EMBASSAGE was completed for Hall Bros, followed by the DORRINGTON COURT in 1939 and the EMPIRE LIBERTY in 1941. Robert Cyril took plans to the United States and from these the Ocean class vessels were built by Henry J Kaiser. Naval Architects Gibbs and Cox adapted these plans to design the Liberty ship. To this day they claim the design as their own. This is a fascinating book covering the Battle of the Atlantic and shipbuilding in the First World War as well as the Second World War. On page 60 are drawings of the EMPIRE LIBERTY and a liberty ship - comparison of the dimensions is very interesting. Liberty ships were very versatile and were converted into hospital ships, aircraft transports and troop transports to name but a few. One even sank a German raider. A few are still afloat, not bad for a ship that only meant to last one voyage or five years at the most. This book is one of the most interesting I have reviewed and will make a welcome addition to any one's bookshelves.