
Ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine, 1940-1945
SS Paul Hamilton
- Liberty Ship:
- Displacement: 14,250 tons (full load)
- Length: 441'7"
- Beam: 56'11"
- Draft: 27'7"
- Speed: 11 knots
- Cruising radius 17,000 miles
- Armament: 1 5"; 1 3"; 8 20mm
- Complement: 8 officers, 39 men; 29 Naval Armed Guards
- Cargo: Explosives, 500 troops
- Steam reciprocating engines; 2,500 hp
- Built at _____, and commissioned in 1942
- Owned by War Shipping Administration; operated by Black Diamond SS Co.
History:
On 3 April 1944, the Paul Hamilton sailed from Hampton Roads, Virginia, for Italy via Bizerte, Tunisia, in Convoy UGS-38. As the Liberty ships steamed in convoy station #66 or #76, German torpedo planes attacked the convoy. A torpedo struck the Hamilton, and she suffered a tremendous explosion as the cargo detonated. Flames from the blast reached almost 1,000 feet into the air. The remnants of the ship sank in thirty seconds. On board were 8 officers, 39 men, 29 armed guards, and 504 troops. None of these men survived the violent explosion.
Additional Links:

Paul Hamilton's tragic end after an aerial torpedo struck her cargo of explosive.
Note the splashes from the debris in the water. |
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Ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine, 1940-45
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Last updated:
April 13, 1998