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| S.S. MAYAGUEZ |
Key Points
- The S.S. Mayaguez, built in 1944, was a container ship that played a notable role in supporting U.S. military operations in Southeast Asia.
- It was seized by Cambodian forces in 1975, leading to a U.S. rescue operation, a significant event marking the end of the Vietnam War.
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| S.S. MAYAGUEZ BEING BOARDED BY U.S.S. HAROLD E. HOLT DE -1074 |
- Research suggests the ship was likely decommissioned or scrapped around 1979, with no record of operation beyond that..
Construction and Early Years
The S.S. Mayaguez, launched initially as the S.S. White Falcon in April 1944, was constructed by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, North Carolina, as a U.S. Maritime Commission C2-S-AJ1 freighter. After World War II, it was sold to Grace Line and renamed S.S. Santa Eliana.
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| S.S. SANTA ELIANA WOULD BECOME THE S.S. MAYAGUEZ IN 1965 |
Later converted in 1960 into one of the first U.S.-flagged all-container ships for foreign trade, with a capacity for 382 containers below-deck and 94 on-deck.
Ownership and Service Changes
In 1964, due to labor disputes, Grace Line sold the ship to Sea-Land Service, renamed it S.S. Sea and then S.S. Mayaguez in 1965, named after Mayagüez in Puerto Rico. From 1967, it operated under contract to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), providing regular container service to American forces in Southeast Asia between Hong Kong, Sattahip, Thailand, and Singapore.
The Mayaguez Incident - Hand Salute to the 41 who gave everything for others.
On May 12, 1975, the S.S. Mayaguez was seized by Cambodian (Khmer Rouge) forces in disputed waters, triggering a U.S. military response. The rescue operation, involving U.S. Marines and Air Force, successfully recaptured the ship and freed the crew, but resulted in U.S. casualties. This incident, as detailed in the Mayaguez Incident, is considered the last combat action of the Vietnam War. There are many places to obtain more information about this battle, and the story is told by the people who were there. I will refer you to them. KOHTANG http://www.kohtang.com/
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| S.S. MAYAGUEZ BEING TOWED BY U.S.S. HAROLD E. HOLT DE-1074 |
Fate After the Incident
After the 1975 incident, research suggests the ship likely continued service briefly before being decommissioned or sold for scrap around 1979, given its age (35 years by then). As of 2025, it appears likely that the ship no longer exists, with no records of operation after 1979, as noted on SANTA ELIANA - IMO 5312044, which lists it as "dead."
Survey Note: Comprehensive History of the S.S. Mayaguez
The S.S. Mayaguez, a vessel with a storied past, encapsulates a significant chapter in maritime and military history, from its construction during World War II to its involvement in a pivotal international incident in 1975. This survey note provides a detailed examination of its journey, drawing from historical records and maritime databases to offer a complete narrative.
Construction and Initial Operations
The ship was first launched in April 1944 as the S.S. White Falcon, built by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company in Wilmington, North Carolina, as a U.S. Maritime Commission C2-S-AJ1 freighter. This type of vessel was designed for wartime logistics, reflecting the era's demand for robust cargo transport. Post-World War II, the ship was sold to Grace Line and renamed S.S. Santa Eliana, marking its transition to commercial service.
Conversion to Container Shipping
In 1960, Grace Line sought to modernize its fleet by converting the S.S. Santa Eliana into a container ship, a pioneering move for U.S.-flagged vessels in foreign trade. The Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company lengthened and widened the ship, increasing its capacity to 382 containers below-deck and 94 on-deck. This conversion was significant, positioning it as one of the first all-container ships dedicated to international trade, though Grace Line faced challenges with longshoremen's opposition in Venezuela and New York.
Ownership Transition and Military Service
Due to these labor disputes, the ship was sold in 1964 to Sea-Land Service, an American container line. It was initially renamed S.S. Sea, then S.S. Mayaguez in 1965, named after the city of Mayagüez on Puerto Rico's west coast. This renaming reflected Sea-Land's strategy to align its fleet with regional identities. From 1967, the S.S. Mayaguez played a crucial role in supporting American military operations, operating under contract with the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS). It facilitated container service supporting U.S. forces in Southeast Asia, with regular routes including Hong Kong, Sattahip, Thailand, and Singapore, as detailed at SS Mayaguez.
The Mayaguez Incident: A Defining Moment
On May 12, 1975, the S.S. Mayaguez was seized by Cambodian forces, specifically the Khmer Rouge, in disputed waters off Cambodia's coast. This event, occurring just one month after the Vietnam War's end, escalated into the Mayaguez incident, a tense confrontation between the U.S. and Cambodia. The U.S. response involved a hastily prepared rescue operation, with U.S. Marines and Air Force personnel deployed to recapture the ship and rescue its crew. The operation, while successful in freeing the crew, resulted in significant U.S. casualties, including 41 service members, and is noted as the last combat action of the Vietnam War. Detailed accounts of the Mayaguez incident highlight the operation's complexity and its place in history.
Post-Incident Fate and Legacy
Following the incident, the ship's subsequent history is less documented, but research suggests it likely continued service under Sea-Land Service for a short period. Given its construction in 1944, by 1979, it would have been 35 years old, a typical age for decommissioning. Maritime records, such as SANTA ELIANA - IMO 5312044, list it as "dead," indicating it was likely scrapped around this time. There are no records of the ship operating beyond 1979, and as of 2025, it no longer exists, marking the end of its operational life.
Table: Key Milestones in S.S. Mayaguez History
| Event | Details | Date/Year |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Launch | Built as S.S. White Falcon, U.S. Maritime Commission C2-S-AJ1 freighter | April 1944 |
| Sold and Renamed | Sold to Grace Line, renamed S.S. Santa Eliana | Post-WWII |
| Conversion to Container Ship | Lengthened and widened, capacity 382 below-deck + 94 on-deck containers | 1960 |
| Sold to Sea-Land Service | Renamed S.S. Sea, then S.S. Mayaguez (after Mayagüez, Puerto Rico) | 1964, 1965 |
| Military Service Begins | Contract with MSTS, supporting U.S. forces in Southeast Asia | 1967 |
| Mayaguez Incident | Seized by Khmer Rouge, U.S. rescue operation, crew rescued, U.S. casualties | May 12-15, 1975 |
| Likely Decommissioned/Scrap | No records post-1979, listed as "dead" in maritime databases | Around 1979 |
This table encapsulates the ship's journey, from its wartime origins to its role in a geopolitical crisis and eventual retirement, providing a structured overview for further study.
Conclusion
The S.S. Mayaguez's history is a tapestry of commercial innovation, military support, and international conflict, culminating in its likely decommissioning around 1979. Its legacy, particularly through the Mayaguez incident, remains a notable chapter in U.S. maritime and military history, offering insights into the complexities of post-war operations.
Key Citations
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