USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42)

USS "Tasker H. Bliss" (AP-42) was a "Tasker H. Bliss"-class transport. She was acquired from the U.S. Army by the U.S. Navy for use in World War II, and was assigned the task of transporting troops to and from battle areas. Operating in dangerous waters on 12 November 1942, she was sunk after being struck by a German submarine’s torpedo at Fedala Bay, Morocco.

Acquisition history

"Tasker H. Bliss" (AP-42) was built in 1921 as SS "President Cleveland" in Newport News, Virginia, by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., and was owned and operated as a passenger liner by the American President Lines. The steamship was chartered by the U.S. Army in July 1941 and renamed "USAT Tasker H. Bliss". She was converted for troop use and made five Pacific Ocean voyages for the Army before being routed on to Baltimore, Maryland, where she arrived on 15 August 1942. She was named after Gen. Tasker H. Bliss, who was Army Chief of Staff from 1917 to 1918.

Acquisition by the U.S. Navy

There, the ship was transferred to the U.S. Navy on 19 August 1942; was converted for use as a Navy transport by the Maryland Drydock Co., Baltimore, Maryland; and, was commissioned on 15 September 1942, Comdr. Gerald L. Schetky in command.

North Africa operations

"Tasker H. Bliss" arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, on 22 September and joined Task Force 34. After loading troops and equipment to participate in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, the ships of the task force sailed on 24 and 25 October for the coast of Morocco.

"Tasker H. Bliss" was assigned to Task Group 34.9, Center Attack Group, and arrived off Fedhala, Morocco on 8 November.

Struck and sunk by a German torpedo

On the evening of 12 November, she was riding at anchor in Fedhala Roads when the German submarine U-130 commanded by Ernst Kals slipped in among the ships and fired five torpedoes at three transports. All torpedoes hit their targets, and they burst into flames. The victims were transports "Edward Rutledge" (AP-52), "Hugh L. Scott" (AP43), and "Tasker H. Bliss". All were abandoned and the first two sank shortly, but "Tasker H. Bliss" burned until 0230 the next morning and then sank. She was struck from the Navy list on 7 December 1942.

Military awards and honors

"Tasker H. Bliss" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

See also

*, a World War II transport ship launched 19 December 1942.
*
* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22042.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - USAT Tasker H. Bliss - AP-42 Tasker H. Bliss]