SS Panama (1939)

For other ships with the same name, see SS Panama.
SS Panama
SS Panama in the Panama Canal, probably on her maiden voyage in 1939
History
United States
Name
  • Panama (1939–1941)
  • James Parker (1941–1946)
  • Panama (1946–1957)
  • President Hoover (1957–1965)
  • Regina (1965–1973)
  • Regina Prima (1973–1985)
NamesakePanama
BuilderBethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation (Quincy, MA)
Yard number1467
Laid down25 October 1937
Launched24 September 1938
Acquired22 April 1939 (delivered)
Refit
  • —as troop transport: 1941
  • —as passenger-cargo ship: 1946
IdentificationOfficial number: 238343
FateScrapped, 1985
NotesShip had prospective U.S. Navy designation AP-46, never implemented as ship never transferred to Navy.
General characteristics
TypePassenger-cargo steamship
Tonnage
Displacement10,002 t.(lt) 14206 t.(fl)
Length493 ft 6 in (150.42 m)
Beam64 ft 0 in (19.51 m)
Draft26 ft 3 in (8.00 m)
Installed power2 × steam turbines, designed shp 10,000
PropulsionTwin screw
Speed17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h)
Range13,000 miles (21,000 km)
Capacity
  • Prewar and postwar:
  • —passengers 216
  • —cargo 6,000 tons
  • US Army:
  • —troops 2,324
Crew
  • Original: 116
  • US Army: Unknown
  • Postwar: 128
ArmamentUS Army: 1–4"/50 4-3"/50
NotesSpecial design for Panama Railroad Co.

SS Panama was laid down 25 October 1937 as hull number 1467, launched on 24 September 1938 and completed 22 April 1939 at Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Quincy Massachusetts.[1][2] The ship was given the official number 238343 and was owned and operated by the Panama Railroad Company.[2] The ship was built for 202 single class passengers with a crew of 124.[3] Panama was sister ship to USS Ancon (AP-66, later AGC-4) and SS Cristobal.

The Army took over the ship in 1941 and it made trips as the unconverted USAT Panama. It was converted to a troop ship and renamed the USAT James Parker. The Navy designated the ship AP-46 and the armament was manned by Navy personnel but it was never transferred to the Navy. After being transferred back to the original owner the ship ultimately was sold several times being re-flagged to other countries.

  1. ^ Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast (June 1939). "Bethlehem Steel Company, Inc". Pacific Marine Review. San Francisco: J.S. Hines: 68. Retrieved 22 July 2019.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Maritime Administration. "Panama". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration.
  3. ^ Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast (May 1939). "SS Panama — First of Three Twin Screw Geared Turbine Drive Cargo and Passenger Liners". Pacific Marine Review. San Francisco: J.S. Hines: 32–39, plan. Retrieved 22 July 2019.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)