Hutchinson Island in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic

S.S. <i>James Oglethorpe </i>and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

1. S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker

Inscription. S. S. James Oglethorpe launched on November 20, 1942, during World War II, the first of 88 Liberty Ships built by Southeastern Shipbuilding (approximately two miles downriver from here). Setting sail from New York in a convoy bound for Liverpool, she was torpedoed by a German U-boat on March 16, 1943, and was lost the next morning along with 44 of her 74-man crew. Liberty Ships were merchant vessels built quickly and efficiently in numbers high enough to overwhelm German efforts to blockade U.S. ports and disrupt the flow of supplies to Allied forces in Europe. The Liberty Ship-building program marked Georgia’s most important contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic. It produced 173 ships built in yards in Savannah and Brunswick and mobilized nearly 62,000 workers statewide.

Erected 2013 by The Georgia Historical Society and the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority. (Marker Number 25-43.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Georgia Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 16, 1943.

Location. 32° 4.992′ N, 81° 5.186′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County

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. It is on Hutchinson Island. Marker can be reached from Resort Drive near Savannah River. Located next to the Water Ferry ramp at the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center, Hutchinson Island. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 International Drive, Savannah GA 31421, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nuclear Ship Savannah (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Shipping in the Port of Savannah (approx. 0.2 miles away); Savannah's Wharves (approx. 0.2 miles away); Christmas in Savannah 1864 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Savannah's Cobblestones (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confederate Savannah (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Georgia Hussars (approx. ¼ mile away); Savannah Marine Korean War Monument (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Regarding S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic. The ship probably foundered en route by the damage received by the torpedo hit from U-758 or she was sunk in the morning by a coup de grâce from U-91

SAVANNAH, Ga., May 15, 2013 – The Georgia Historical Society, in partnership with the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority, will dedicate a historical marker for the Liberty Ship S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic on Wednesday, May 22, 2013,

SS James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker, ready for dedication May 22, 2013 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

2. SS James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker, ready for dedication May 22, 2013

at 5:30 p.m. The dedication will take place at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center on Hutchinson Island in Savannah.

A massive merchant marine ship-building effort during WWII's Battle of the Atlantic resulted in the construction of over 2,000 Liberty Ships across the United States. In Savannah, GA, the Southeastern Shipyard constructed its first of many Liberty Ships, the S.S. James Oglethorpe, in 1942. She embarked on her maiden voyage, carrying supplies bound for Liverpool, England as part of the convoy Halifax 229. On March 16, 1943, the Oglethorpe was torpedoed by a German U-boat, and was lost the following day along with 44 men of the 74-man crew. Though the Oglethorpe’s mobilization was short, the continued Liberty Ship program marked Georgia’s most important contribution to the Battle of the Atlantic. In all, 173 ships were constructed in Savannah and Brunswick alone, and nearly 62,000 workers statewide contributed to the program.

“This marker commemorates Georgia’s important role in the Allied war effort in World War II, the most pivotal event in the 20th century,” said Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Georgia Historical Society. “The Liberty Ships built here in Savannah were an important part of that story, and this marker will help teach a wider audience about this crucial moment

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

3. S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker

in American history,”
(Georgia Historical Society)

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. see marker shown.

Also see . . . James Oglethorpe - uboat.net. 8000 tons of steel, cotton, food and a deck cargo of aircraft, tractors and trucks Between 00.23 and 00.25 hours on 17 Mar, 1943, U-758 fired two FAT and two G7e torpedoes at the convoy HX-229 and reported three ships sunk and another damaged. In fact, the Zaanland and James Oglethorpe were sunk and the Dutch motor tanker Magdala (8248 tons) missed. (Submitted on May 22, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)

Additional keywords. S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic

S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker waterside, along the Savannah River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

4. S.S. James Oglethorpe and the Battle of the Atlantic Marker waterside, along the Savannah River

S.S. <i>James Oglethorpe </i> Model on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

5. S.S. James Oglethorpe Model on display

SS James Oglethorpe Dedication image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

6. SS James Oglethorpe Dedication

Launch Program from 1942 on display and photo from Georgia Historical Society

S.S. <i>James Oglethorpe </i> vital statistics on display image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

7. S.S. James Oglethorpe vital statistics on display

S.S. <i>James Oglethorpe </i> Marker, waterside along the Savannah River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Stroud, May 22, 2013

8. S.S. James Oglethorpe Marker, waterside along the Savannah River

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 22, 2013, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.