SS Francis E. Powell
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Macy Willis (1922–1923)
- Francis E. Powell (1923–1942)
- J. Macy Willis, manager of the Baltimore Dry Dock plant of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation
- Francis E. Powell, chairman of the Anglo-American Oil Company
- Bethlehem Steel (1922–1923)
- Atlantic Refining Company (1923–1942)
 Francis E. Powell in November 1923 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name |
|
| Namesake |
|
| Owner |
|
| Ordered | January 1, 1920 |
| Builder |
|
| Yard number |
|
| Laid down | September 27, 1920 |
| Launched | November 22, 1921 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Willis |
| Completed | June 1922 |
| In service | 1922–1942 |
| Home port | Philadelphia |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sunk off Virginia on January 27, 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Oil tanker |
| Tonnage | |
| Length | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Beam | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Draft | 33.3 ft (10.1 m) (mean) |
| Installed power | 2x steam turbines |
| Propulsion | 1 screw |
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
SS Francis E. Powell was an American oil tanker that was built from 1920–1922 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, after the end of the original contract for the vessel with the United States Shipping Board. She was operated by the Atlantic Refining Company after she was purchased in 1923. The tanker was torpedoed and sunk by U-130 on January 27, 1942.
Specifications
The tanker, originally named Macy Willis, was ordered on January 1, 1920.[1] Her keel was laid in Sparrows Point, Maryland, on September 27, 1920,[2] as hull number 119.[3] She was launched on November 22, 1921,[1] sponsored by the wife of the tanker's namesake, J. Macy Willis, manager of the Baltimore Dry Dock plant of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation.[4] During the Macy Willis' construction, the yard she was being built at was acquired by Bethlehem Steel after the end of the United States Shipping Board's contract.[5] Her hull number was changed to 216.[3] The tanker was completed and delivered in June 1922, then put up for sale. She was assigned the official number 221868[3] and the call sign KFIG.[6]
Macy Willis had a length of 430 feet (130 m), a beam of 59 feet (18 m), and a draft of 33.3 feet (10.1 m).[7] She was powered by two steam turbines geared to one screwshaft. She had a maximum speed of 11 knots (13 mph; 20 km/h).[6] She was 7,507 gross register tons[7] and 4,325 net register tons. She had a liquid cargo capacity of 81,000 barrels and a bunker capacity of 9,074 barrels.[8]
Service history
Macy Willis was purchased in 1923 by the Atlantic Refining Company. She was renamed Francis E. Powell, after the chairman of the Anglo-American Oil Company.[9] The tanker traveled to the United Kingdom loaded with motor spirit on her maiden voyage,[10] though she primarily operated between the East and West Coasts via the Panama Canal. She made frequent stops in Los Angeles before heading through the Canal to reach Philadelphia and New York City.[11] She was registered in Philadelphia.[8]