USS Orizaba: A Journey Through Time
Imagine a ship that could transform from a transport vessel to a training ship, carrying not just cargo but the hopes and dreams of countless individuals across continents. USS Orizaba (ID-1536/AP-24) was such a remarkable vessel. Her story is one of adaptation, resilience, and service, spanning both World Wars and even serving in Brazil as Duque de Caxias (U-11).
The Birth of USS Orizaba
Orizaba’s journey began with her commissioning on May 27, 1918. Delivered to the US Navy and named USS Orizaba (ID-1536), she was assigned to the Atlantic Transport Service. Can you imagine the excitement and anticipation as she set sail for France? Over 15,000 troops were transported in six convoy trips before World War I ended. One voyage saw a depth charge launcher developed to protect her from enemy submarines—a testament to her versatility and the challenges faced during wartime.
From USS Orizaba to USAT Orizaba
In December 1918, after transport duty ended in summer 1919, she was decommissioned on September 4 and turned over to the Army for further transport service as USAT Orizaba. Can you picture her journey from a military transport ship to a civilian merchant vessel? After being returned to the Ward Line in 1920, Orizaba resumed transatlantic passenger service, carrying notable passengers like poet Hart Crane and even Katharine Hepburn on her way to divorce proceedings.
The World of WWII
In April 1934, Orizaba’s Code Letters were allocated as WECX. In 1941, after being chartered by the US Navy, she was commissioned as AP-24 and participated in convoy WS-12X, carrying British troops to the Middle East. The Prime Minister informed the President that replacement ships would be provided if any ship in Convoy WS-12X was sunk by enemy action.
Convoy WS-12X set sail on November 10, 1941, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, carrying British troops. The convoy was escorted by a strong screen and sailed to Basra, Iraq. On December 7, 1941, the convoy received news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Can you imagine the tension and uncertainty as they continued their journey?
World War II Service
The Orizaba departed New York on April 1942 for its first transatlantic run during WWII, sailing via Iceland and visiting several ports before returning to Norfolk, Virginia. In July 1943, she was part of Task Force 81 and disembarked troops in Sicily, where she sustained slight damage from an enemy air attack.
The Orizaba returned to New York on August 22, 1943, for an overhaul and later made runs to Brazil and the Caribbean before heading to the southwestern Pacific. After calls at Samoa, Nouméa, Brisbane, and Milne Bay, she returned to the west coast in March 1944, then underwent repairs in San Francisco, completed a run to the Marshalls and Marianas, and sailed north to the Aleutians.
She carried men and supplies to Hawaii, then returned to San Francisco, later sailing to New Guinea, the Philippines, and Ulithi to support forces for the Battle of Okinawa. Can you imagine the wear and tear on such a vessel after all these voyages?
To Brazil and Beyond
From Ulithi, she sailed east through the Panama Canal, arrived at Tampa, Florida, where she was decommissioned on April 23. She underwent an overhaul and was transferred to Brazil in July 1945 under Lend-Lease terms.
In June 1953, she was permanently transferred to Brazil, struck from the US Naval Vessel Register on July 20, 1953. The Brazilian Navy renamed her Duque de Caxias (U-11) and assumed control of the vessel in Tampa. She headed to Naples, then sailed to Rio de Janeiro with elements of the returning Brazilian Expeditionary Force.
Final Days
In November 1945, she loaded American military stores and sailed for New York. On July 31, 1947, an engine-room fire killed 27 passengers due to oil spilled on the ship’s boilers. Duque de Caxias was converted into a training ship in 1953 and underwent a European and Mediterranean training cruise.
She visited New York twice, including a 12-day visit in March 1954. The ship was decommissioned on April 13, 1959, and finally scrapped in 1963. Can you imagine the legacy of such a versatile vessel that served so many purposes over its lifetime?
USS Orizaba’s journey is a testament to the adaptability and service of ships like her. From carrying troops in World War I, to transporting civilians during peacetime, and even serving as a training ship for the Brazilian Navy, she truly embodied the spirit of maritime service.
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This page is based on the article USS Orizaba published in Wikipedia (retrieved on November 28, 2024) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
