SS Booker T. Washington Launched on this Day #bookertwashington #usmerchantmarine #hughmulzac #marymcleodbethune #mariananderson #worldworldii #ssbookertwashington SS Booker T. Washington was an American Liberty ship that launched on this day in 1942. Of the 2,700 Liberty ships built, this was the first of 17 that were named after African-Americans. It was also a first for Hugh Mulzac, who was the first African-American to command a ship in the United States Merchant Marine. In 1942, the ship had an integrated crew of 18 nationalities. Between 1942 and 1947, it had made 22 round trip voyages ferrying troops and supplies to Europe and the Pacific theatre. Image 1 from Library of Congress Mary McLeod Bethune, Director of Negro Affairs, National Youth Administration (NYA); Marian Anderson, celebrated contralto; and Dr. William J. Thompkins, Recorder of Deeds, Washington, D.C., congratulate workmen who helped construct the SS Booker T. Washington. Image 2 from the Library of Congress The SS Booker T Washington slides down the ways at the Wilmington yards of the California Shipbuilding Corporation at its launching on September 29, 1942. Image 3 from the National Archives Crew of SS Booker T. Washington with mascot Booker
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:27:17 +0000
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