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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Lost to enemy torpedo attack, 11 November 1942, at Fedala Bay, Morocco

USS Joseph Hewes (APA-22)
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USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive, 11 November 1942)
Bottom Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal

Joseph Hewes Class Transport:

Built in 1930 as SS Excalibur at New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J.

Acquired by the US Navy, 8 January 1942

Commissioned USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50), 1 May 1942, CAPT. Robert McLanhan Smith Jr. in command

During World War II USS Joseph Hewes was assigned to the European-African-Middle East Theater and participated in the following campaign:

Campaign and Dates
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign
North African occupation Algeria-Morocco landings, 8 to 11 November 1942

Final Disposition, sunk by the German Submarine U-173 torpedo attack, 11 November 1942, at Fedala Roads, Morocco

Struck from the Naval Register, 7 December 1942

USS Joseph Hewes received one battle star for World War II service

Specifications:
Displacement 14,100 t.
Length 450'
Beam 61' 6"
Draft 26' 4"
Speed 15 kts.
Complement 358

Troop Accommodations unknown

Armament

one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount

four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts

eight single 20mm AA gun mounts

Propulsion steam turbines

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
Merchant Service
	25k	*SS Excalibur* underway.	Courtesy - A Tribute to A Place Called Yorkship web site
	49k	*SS Excalibur* entering/leaving port with a tug alongside, date and location unknown.	Robert Hurst
	31k	*SS Excalibur* full color cigarette card. 2x2.5". Issued by SABA in Germany in 1933.	Tommy Trampp
	151k	*SS Excalibur* List of Passengers departing New York. 25 June 1939.	Tommy Trampp
	47k	The British destroyer *HMS Harvester* (H 19)** is closing in on SS Excalibur, 1 December 1941. The British are checking ship's papers while on patrol west of Gibraltar. Imperial War Museum Admiralty Official Collection, Russell, J.E. (Lt.) photographer, Photo No. A 6922.	Mike Green
	51k	As seen from the *HMS Blankney* (L 30), a boarding party from HMS Harvester (H 19)** is examining the ship's papers of SS Excalibur, 1 December 1941. Imperial War Museum Admiralty Official Collection, Russell, J.E. (Lt.) photographer, Photo No. A 6924.	Mike Green
USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50)
	115k	*Namesake* Joseph Hewes was born in Kingston, N.J., in 1730, and was educated at what is now Princeton. After engaging in business in Philadelphia, he moved to Edenton, N.C. in 1763 where he became a prosperous and influential merchant skipper. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1774, and in 1775 became a member of the Marine Committee. In this capacity Hewes played a major part in the procurement and outfitting of Continental vessels, and had the distinction of securing a commission in the Continental Navy in December 1775 for one of the sea's greatest heroes-to-be, John Paul Jones. Hewes continued to take an active part in the movement for independence in North Carolina. He also took part in the discussions leading to the Declaration of Independence and signed the historic document. He died 29 October 1779 shortly after his return to the Continental Congress.	Bill Gonyo
	71k	*USS Joseph Hewes* (AP-50)** underway in 1942, location unknown. US Navy photo.	Robert Hurst
	488k	Diagram of *USS Joseph Hewes* (AP-50)** showing probable flooding from torpedo damage sustained on 11 November 1942. Note the diagram identifies the ship as APA-22. US Navy Department Library; War Damage Report No. 32, Transports torpedoed off Fedala, 11-15 November 1942.	Mike Green