USS Haven (AH-12), an example of a Type C4 ship, seen here in 1954. |
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Class overview | |
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Builders: | Kaiser Shipyards of Richmond, California Kaiser Shipyards of Vancouver, Washington Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania |
Operators: | United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) |
Preceded by: | Type C3 class ship |
Subclasses: | Six |
Completed: | 75 |
General characteristics | |
Type: | C4-S-A1 troop transport (30 built) C4-S-A3 troop transport (15 built) C4-S-A4 cargo ship (10 built) C4-S-B1 tank carrier (one built) C4-S-B 2 troop transport/hospital ship (14 built) C4-S-B5 cargo/troop transport (five built) |
Tonnage: | 12,420 gross tons (A1-A4) 11,757 gross tons (B1-B5) |
Length: | 523 ft (159 m)(A1-A4) 520 ft (160 m) (B1-B5) |
Beam: | 71.6 ft (21.8 m) |
Draft: | 29 ft (8.8 m) (A1-A4) 30 ft (9.1 m) (B1-B5) |
Propulsion: | Steam turbine 9,900 shp |
Speed: | 17 knots |
Range: | 12,000 miles (A1-A4) 14,000 miles (B1-B5) |
Complement: | Varied by design type |
The Type C4 class ship were the largest cargo ships built by the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) during World War II. The design was originally developed for the American-Hawaiian Lines in 1941, but in late 1941 the plans were taken over by the MARCOM.
Seventy-five ships were built as cargo and troopships in three shipyards: Kaiser Richmond, CA (35 ships), Kaiser Vancouver, WA (20 ships) and Sun SB & DD in Chester PA (20 ships).
All ships were capable of 17 knots, driven by a single screw steam turbine generating 9,900 shp.
Among the variations of the design were the Haven class hospital ship.
They were followed post-war by thirty-seven of the larger C4-S-1 class, also known as the Mariner class[1].
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