.gif)
USS George F. Elliott (AP-13)
Encyclopedia
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
. In 1942 she was attacked off Guadalcanal
by Japanese planes and sank shortly thereafter.
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 (20.4 m) 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.
, 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. The men aboard the Elliott on the February 1942 trip were members of the 107th Combat Engineer Battalion from Michigan. http://www.107thengineers.org/History/CombatEngineer/
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.
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.
on D-day, 7 August, George F. Elliott sent her boats away at 0733 hrs. 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.
screens on the US Destroyer
pickets began to show an approaching flight of Japanese planes heading straight for the landing group. Weighing anchor
and raising steam to get underway shortly before 1100 hrs. the Elliot moved out of the landing area into the open waters of Ironbottom Sound
and her crew readied their weapons to meet the inbound Mitsubishi G4M
'Betty' bombers coming over Florida Island. Making her 10.5 knot top speed and weaving between US Destroyers and other transports as they avoided and fired on the Japanese torpedo
bombers skimming mere feet above the waters surface, the gunners on the Elliot sighted a 'Betty' closing on their Starboard side, only 30 feet (9.1 m) off the water. Taking the plane under concentrated fire and scoring several hits, the gun crews were unable to down the Japanese bomber before it suddenly popped up and slammed into the ship, just aft of the superstructure
on the Starboard side.
Though the lightly armored 'Betty' disintegrated on impact with the hull of the Elliot, wreckage and burning gasoline showered the deck and its engines were able to punch through the unarmored hull into the rear cargo hold, severing the ships rear fire main in the process. A massive fire broke out onboard both topside and deep within the hull, where supplies destined for shore now fed the flames which the crew raced to contain. Fires below deck quickly grew out of control and forced the engine room crew to abandon their stations, bringing the George F. Elliot to a stop in the middle of Ironbottom Sound
. Using a bucket brigade
and whatever means they could to fight the fires, the crew made a valiant stand against the advancing flames as the continuing Japanese attack kept nearby ships from providing any assistance to the burning transport. By the time the remnants of the Japanese bomber force had departed the area it was too late for the Elliot, as the intense flames caused a damaged bulkhead to fail, releasing bunker fuel into the rear hold and turning a massive fire into an inferno. Shortly after 1300 hrs., the crew was ordered to abandon ship and the George F. Elliot was sunk by scuttling
charges.
George F. Elliott was struck from the Navy List
2 October 1942.
She was awarded one battle star for World War II
service.
is based in part upon Helmet for My Pillow
, the memoir of Robert Leckie
, a member of the 1st Marines who sailed from San Francisco to Guadalcanal aboard the Elliott.
Heywood class attack transport
The Heywood-class attack transport was a class of US Navy attack transport that saw service in World War II.Like all attack transports, the purpose of the Heywood class ships was to transport troops and their equipment to hostile shores in order to execute amphibious invasions...
transport
Transport
Transport or transportation is the movement of people, cattle, animals and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, rail, road, water, cable, pipeline, and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations...
acquired by the U.S. Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and then reacquired by the Navy for service as a troop carrier during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. In 1942 she was attacked off Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
by Japanese planes and sank shortly thereafter.
Construction and pre-World War II history
The ship was laid down in 1918 as SS City of Los Angeles at Bethlehem SteelBethlehem Steel
The Bethlehem Steel Corporation , based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, was once the second-largest steel producer in the United States, after Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based U.S. Steel. After a decline in the U.S...
Corp., Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
, for the United States Shipping Board
United States Shipping Board
The United States Shipping Board was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act , 7 September 1916. It was formally organized 30 January 1917. It was sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board.http://www.gwpda.org/wwi-www/Hurley/bridgeTC.htm | The Bridge To France by Edward N....
(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
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
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 (20.4 m) 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, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, 16 January 1941 and for the next year carried units of the 1st Marine Brigade to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
for training exercises and operated out of Norfolk before departing New York 19 February 1942 with over 1,100 men bound for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. After joining a convoy off Halifax, Nova Scotia
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, she reached Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, 3 March to debark her passengers and subsequently returned to New York 25 March. The men aboard the Elliott on the February 1942 trip were members of the 107th Combat Engineer Battalion from Michigan. http://www.107thengineers.org/History/CombatEngineer/
Assigned to the Pacific Theatre
After embarking 1,229 fighting men, the ship got underway 9 April with a convoyConvoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
bound for Tongatapu
Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the main island of the Kingdom of Tonga and the location of its capital Nukualofa. It is located in Tonga's southern island group, to which it gives its name, and is the country's most populous island, with approximately 71,260 residents , 70.5% of the national population...
, arriving 1 month later and debarking her troops. George F. Elliott sailed 19 May and arrived San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, 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 bridgeGolden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate, the opening of the San Francisco Bay into the Pacific Ocean. As part of both U.S. Route 101 and California State Route 1, the structure links the city of San Francisco, on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula, to...
22 June in convoy, reaching Wellington, New Zealand, 11 July where combat gear and stores were loaded. As part of Task Force
Task force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
62 she departed 22 July for the 1st Marine Division's amphibious assault on Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal
Guadalcanal is a tropical island in the South-Western Pacific. The largest island in the Solomons, it was discovered by the Spanish expedition of Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568...
. After conducting landing maneuvers in the Fiji Islands, she proceeded to Guadalcanal.
Under constant attack
Closing Lunga PointLunga Point
Lunga Point is a promontory on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the site of a naval battle during World War II. It was also the name of a nearby airfield, later named Henderson Field....
on D-day, 7 August, George F. Elliott sent her boats away at 0733 hrs. 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.
Final air attack and sinking
Morning on August 8 found the Elliot and her crew still awaiting the order to resume sending the balance of her cargo ashore when radarRadar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
screens on the US Destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
pickets began to show an approaching flight of Japanese planes heading straight for the landing group. Weighing anchor
Anchor
An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα .Anchors can either be temporary or permanent...
and raising steam to get underway shortly before 1100 hrs. the Elliot moved out of the landing area into the open waters of Ironbottom Sound
Ironbottom Sound
"Ironbottom Sound" is the name given by Allied sailors to Savo Sound, the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the Battle of Guadalcanal in...
and her crew readied their weapons to meet the inbound Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M
The Mitsubishi G4M 一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Isshiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikkō was the main twin-engine, land-based bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allies gave the G4M the reporting name Betty...
'Betty' bombers coming over Florida Island. Making her 10.5 knot top speed and weaving between US Destroyers and other transports as they avoided and fired on the Japanese torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
bombers skimming mere feet above the waters surface, the gunners on the Elliot sighted a 'Betty' closing on their Starboard side, only 30 feet (9.1 m) off the water. Taking the plane under concentrated fire and scoring several hits, the gun crews were unable to down the Japanese bomber before it suddenly popped up and slammed into the ship, just aft of the superstructure
Superstructure
A superstructure is an upward extension of an existing structure above a baseline. This term is applied to various kinds of physical structures such as buildings, bridges, or ships...
on the Starboard side.
Though the lightly armored 'Betty' disintegrated on impact with the hull of the Elliot, wreckage and burning gasoline showered the deck and its engines were able to punch through the unarmored hull into the rear cargo hold, severing the ships rear fire main in the process. A massive fire broke out onboard both topside and deep within the hull, where supplies destined for shore now fed the flames which the crew raced to contain. Fires below deck quickly grew out of control and forced the engine room crew to abandon their stations, bringing the George F. Elliot to a stop in the middle of Ironbottom Sound
Ironbottom Sound
"Ironbottom Sound" is the name given by Allied sailors to Savo Sound, the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the Battle of Guadalcanal in...
. Using a bucket brigade
Bucket brigade
A bucket brigade or human chain is a method for transporting items where items are passed from one stationary person to the next.The method was important in firefighting before the advent of hand pumped fire engines, whereby firefighters would pass buckets to each other to extinguish a blaze. A...
and whatever means they could to fight the fires, the crew made a valiant stand against the advancing flames as the continuing Japanese attack kept nearby ships from providing any assistance to the burning transport. By the time the remnants of the Japanese bomber force had departed the area it was too late for the Elliot, as the intense flames caused a damaged bulkhead to fail, releasing bunker fuel into the rear hold and turning a massive fire into an inferno. Shortly after 1300 hrs., the crew was ordered to abandon ship and the George F. Elliot was sunk by scuttling
Scuttling
Scuttling is the act of deliberately sinking a ship by allowing water to flow into the hull.This can be achieved in several ways—valves or hatches can be opened to the sea, or holes may be ripped into the hull with brute force or with explosives...
charges.
George F. Elliott was struck from the Navy List
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
2 October 1942.
She was awarded one battle star for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
service.
The Pacific, HBO miniseries
The PacificThe Pacific (miniseries)
The Pacific is a 2010 television series produced by HBO, Seven Network Australia, Sky Movies, Playtone and DreamWorks that premiered in the United States on March 14, 2010....
is based in part upon Helmet for My Pillow
Helmet for My Pillow
Helmet for My Pillow is the personal narrative written by World War II United States Marine Corps veteran, author and military historian Robert Leckie...
, the memoir of Robert Leckie
Robert Leckie (author)
Robert Leckie was an American author of popular books on the military history of the United States. As a young man, he served in the Marine Corps with the 1st Marine Division during World War II...
, a member of the 1st Marines who sailed from San Francisco to Guadalcanal aboard the Elliott.