USS George F. Elliott (AP-13)

USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) was a "Heywood"-class transport acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I and then reacquired by the Navy for service as a troop carrier during World War II. She survived World War I safely, but during World War II, she was unfortunately sunk by enemy action in the Pacific War.

"George F. Elliott" had an unusual and interesting service history. During World War I she was the USS "Victorious" (ID-3514), and during World War II she was the "USS George F. Elliott", assigned the foreboding designation of "AP-13".

A circuitous and lively history

She was laid down in 1918 as SS "City of Los Angeles" at Bethlehem Steel Corp., Alameda, California, for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). She was then acquired by the US Navy and commissioned "USS Victorious (ID-3514)", 19 October 1918. Subsequently, she was decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 25 February 1919, at New York and returned to the United States Shipping Board for disposal. She was then acquired by the Baltimore Mail S.S. Co. in 1931, renamed SS "City of Havre", lengthened another 67 feet and had passenger accommodations added. She was acquired by Panama Pacific Lines in 1938, and renamed SS "City of Los Angeles". As World War II approached, she was acquired by the Navy on 30 October 1940, converted to a Naval Transport, and commissioned USS "George F. Elliott" (AP-13) on 10 January 1941, Captain H. G. Patrick in command.

World War II North Atlantic operations

"George F. Elliott" sailed for Norfolk, Virginia, 16 January 1941 and for the next year carried units of the 1st Marine Brigade to the Caribbean for training exercises and operated out of Norfolk before departing New York 19 February 1942 with over 1,100 men bound for Europe. After joining a convoy off Halifax, Nova Scotia, she reached Belfast, Northern Ireland, 3 March to debark her passengers and subsequently returned to New York 25 March.

Assigned to the Pacific Theatre

After embarking 1,229 fighting men, the ship got underway 9 April with a convoy bound for Tongatapu, arriving 1 month later and debarking her troops. "George F. Elliott" sailed 19 May and arrived San Francisco, California, 5 June for repairs.

Supporting landing of troops on Guadalcanal

Soon ready for sea, she embarked 1,300 men of the 2d Battalion, 1st Marines, and stood out under the Golden Gate bridge 22 June in convoy, reaching Wellington, New Zealand, 11 July where combat gear and stores were loaded. As part of Task Force 62 she departed 22 July for the 1st Marine Division's amphibious assault on Guadalcanal. After conducting landing maneuvers in the Fiji Islands, she proceeded to Guadalcanal.

Under constant attack

Closing Lunga Point on D-day, 7 August, "George F. Elliott" sent her boats away at 0733 and simultaneously began discharging cargo. Despite enemy air attacks she continued to work far into the night, ceasing unloading only when the beach head became too congested.

Crashed by an enemy bomber, and sunk

The next day, 8 August, she got underway at 1056 to avoid an imminent air attack and at 1159 opened fire on Japanese twin-engined bombers coming in very low and fast over Florida Island. Her antiaircraft guns made repeated hits on a plane approaching the starboard beam only 30 feet off the water; suddenly it swerved and crashed into the ship amidships, spreading raging flames and rupturing the water mains. In spite of the crew's valiant efforts, the fires continued out of control. As salvage was impossible the gutted ship was sunk the same day. "George F. Elliott" was struck from the Navy List 2 October 1942.

She was awarded one battle star for World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/v3/victorious.htm|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g4/george_f_elliott_i.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/22/22013.htm NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive - Victorious (ID-3514) - AP-13 George F. Elliott]