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NavSource Online: Army Ship Photo Archive

USAMRS William F. Fitch

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

Marine Repair Ship:

Built in 1901-02 as the laker SS William F. Fitch by Detroit Shipbuilding Co., Wyandotte, MI.

Launched, date unknown

Completed and delivered in April 1902 to the Franklin Transportation Co., M.A. Hanna & Co., Managers

Sold in 1923 to Pioneer Steamship Co.

Resold in 1923 to Jenkins Steamship Co.

Resold in 1934 to Detroit & Cleveland Steamship Co., converted to an auto carrier

Title acquired by the War Shipping Administration, 9 July 1942, from the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Ship Co.

Allocated to the War Department, 11 September 1943

Modified for service as a Marine Repair Ship, dates and location unknown

USAMRS William F. Fitch was operated by a Coast Guard crew with administrative control retained by the Army

USAMRS William F. Fitch was assigned to the Southwest Pacific Area during World War II

Delivered by the War Department, 3 February 1947, to the War Shipping Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Astoria, OR.

Withdrawn and delivered from the Astoria Reserve Fleet, 28 December 1948, to the Detroit and Cleveland Steam Ship Co., just compensation $200,000.00

Final Disposition, scrapped in 1951

Specifications:
Displacement 3,629 t. gross, 2632 t. net
Length 346'
Beam 48'
Draft 28'
Speed unknown
Armament unknown

Complement (18 merchant service)

Cruise Radius unknown

Fuel Capacities unknown

Propulsion

one reciprocating steam engine

single shaft, 1,420 shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
	46k	SS William F. Fitch underway as an auto carrier on the Great Lakes while in merchant service for the Great Lakes Transit Corp., circa 1934-1942. HCGL /Main Image ID 001653	Bowling Green State University-Great Lakes Vessels Online
	92k	SS William F. Fitch underway, date and location unknown.	Tommy Trampp
30210603	74k	SS William F. Fitch underway in 1910, location unknown. University of Wisconsin-Madison Digital Library	John Spivey

There is no history record available for USAMRS William F. Fitch at NavSource

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Maritime History of the Great Lakes - William F. Fitch (Freighter), U81807, 22 June 1931, Newspaper article of interest, "Oswego Palladium Times", June 22, 1931.

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 4 June 2021