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Identification Numbered Ships Photo Archive

USAT John R. R. Hannay
ex-John R. R. Hannay (AK 32)
ex-Waukegan (ID 4399)

Freighter:

  • Laid down 10 September 1918 as Waukegan by the Federal Shipbuilding Co., Kearney, NJ for the United States Shipping Board
  • Launched 31 March 1919
  • Completed 14 May 1919
  • Assigned ID number ID-4399 but never served in U.S. Navy
  • In January 1939 Waukegan crashed into the St. Georges lift bridge over the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in Delaware. That bridge—built in 1923—was knocked down, by the 6,000-ton freighter. The
    freighter lost control, hit the north tower of the bridge, and caused it to collapse. Two people died: the bridge tender and the bridge electrician
  • Acquired by the Army in 23 August 1940 from the Maritime Commission Reserve Fleet
  • Renamed USAT John R. R. Hannay 8 March 1941 in honor of Col. John R. R. Hannay, Q.M.C., a former General Superintendent of the A.T.S. at San Francisco, CA
  • Assigned to the A.T.S. Atlantic Fleet with home port at Army Supply Base, Brooklyn, NY
  • In May 1941 the Army and Navy agreed that the Navy would eventually take over and man the larger Army ships, and under this plan the Navy designation AK-32 was assigned to John R. R. Hannay.
    The Navy was not able to find the personnel to man her, however, and she remained an Army ship
  • Transferred to the War Shipping Administration 10 August 1946 and renamed Waukegan
  • Sold 21 April 1947
  • Scrapped 19 September 1947 at New Orleans, LA.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 6,861 t.
  • Length 411' 5"
  • Beam 55'
  • Draft 27'
  • Speed 11 kts.
  • Complement 61
  • Armament: Two 5"/51 mounts
  • Propulsion: One 2,500hp steam turbine, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Waukegan (ID 4399)
    Waukegan 57k At the yard of her builder, Federal Shipbuilding Co., Kearny, N.J. on 12 May 1919 just before delivery
    National Archives photo RG-32-S    		 Shipscribe
    USAT John R. R. Hannay
    Waukegan 117k At the Brooklyn, N.Y., Army Base, on 23 August 1941
    Army Signal Corps photo SC 126023 from the National Archives    		 Shipscribe
    Commanding Officers - SS Waukegan
    01CAPT John R. Reynolds, USMMJanuary 1939
    Commanding Officers - USAT John R. R. Hannay
    01CAPT C. W. Lorin, USMM8 March 1941 - December 1941
    Courtesy Joe Radigan and Gary Priolo
    There is no DANFS history available for Waukegan (ID 4339)
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