SS Ocean Vigour facts for kids
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|} The SS Ocean Vigour was a British cargo ship that played many roles. She was part of important convoys during World War II. After the war, she helped transport people, including those trying to reach Mandate Palestine. She was also involved in the journey of people from the famous ship SS Exodus. Later, she was sold and used for commercial shipping. The Ocean Vigour was eventually taken apart for scrap in 1967.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name |
|
| Owner |
|
| Operator | |
| Builder | Richmond Shipyards, Richmond, California |
| Launched | 14 February 1942 |
| Identification | Official number:168826 |
| Fate | Scrapped, 1967 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Ocean class cargo ship |
| Tonnage | 7,174 GRT |
| Length | 416 ft (127 m) |
| Beam | 57 ft (17 m) |
| Propulsion | 1 × General Machinery Corp. triple expansion steam engine |
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
Building the Ocean Vigour
The Ocean Vigour was built in Richmond, California. She was one of 30 ships made at the Kaiser Richmond No. 1 Yard.
Construction and Launch
The ship was part of a group of 60 similar ships. These were built for the British Ministry of War Transport. The Ocean Vigour was launched on February 14, 1942. This happened at the Permanente Metals Richmond shipyard No.1.
Serving in World War II
During World War II, the Ocean Vigour was managed by the E. R. Management Company. She helped move supplies across the Atlantic Ocean. She also sailed into the Mediterranean Sea in 1942 and 1943. These trips were part of large groups of ships called convoys. Convoys helped protect ships from enemy attacks. From June to August 1944, she sailed on seven convoys. These trips were between Southend, England, and the Baie de la Seine in France.
Post-War Journeys
After the war, the Ocean Vigour became a troopship. She was known as HMT Ocean Vigour. She worked in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Her job was to transport Jewish people who were trying to move to Mandate Palestine. These people were often taken to temporary camps in Cyprus.
The Exodus Incident
On July 18, 1947, another ship, the SS Exodus, was stopped by British naval ships. The Exodus was carrying 4,515 people. These people were then moved to three British ships, including the Ocean Vigour. The ships sailed to Port-de-Bouc, France. However, most of the people refused to leave the ships there.
Eventually, the ships sailed to Hamburg, Germany. On September 8, the 1,464 people on the Ocean Vigour were made to leave the ship. Soldiers and police used force to remove them. The people were then taken to temporary camps in Lübeck, Germany.
Transporting Detainees
After Israel became independent in 1948, the Ocean Vigour had another task. She transported members of groups like Irgun and Lehi. These individuals had been held in prison camps in British colonies in Africa. On July 9, 1948, the Ocean Vigour sailed to Israel with 262 people. She arrived in Israel three days later.
Later Life of the Ship
In 1948, the Ocean Vigour was sold. She was bought by the British Steam Shipping Company. Her name was changed to Ramillies. She was managed by J. Cory & Sons.
In 1954, she was sold again to the Orders & Handford Steamship Company. She was still managed by Cory's. Then, in 1955, she was sold to the Buchanan Shipping Company. Her name changed once more to Galavale. Andrew Crawford Ltd. managed her at this time.
Finally, in 1957, an Italian company bought the ship. This company was called Corrado Società Anonima di Navigazione. They renamed her Confidenza. She operated under this name until 1967. That year, she was taken to La Spezia, Italy, and scrapped.
