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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USAT American Star

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

Freight Transport:

Laid Down in 1919 as the USSB Emergency Fleet Corporation design 1017 steel - hulled cargo ship Strathnaver at Downey Shipbuilding Corp., Arlington N.Y.

Launched, 27 March 1919

Completed in July 1919

Strathnaver was assigned the Navy number (ID-4139) but never placed in commission

Renamed American Star 1916-1926

Laid up in USSB Reserve 1926-1927

Renamed Nelson 1927-1935

Acquired by Red Star Salmon Canning Co., 1935-1941

Acquired by U.S. Army in September 1941 from the Red Star Salmon Canning Co. as a bare bottom charter

Delivered to the War Shippiong Administration, 15 April 1942

USAT American Star was operated under an General Agency Agreement bare bottom charter by the Alaska Steamship Co. for the U.S Army during the military base buildup in Alaska from 13 December 1943 until the end of World War II

Returned to the Red Star Salmon Co., 4 April 1946

Sold, 8 August 1946 to Compania Maritimia Mariata S.A. reflagged Panama, renamed Sonia

Sold in 1952 to Compania Maritimia Lounino S.A. Panama, renamed Capeton Nicholas

Final Disposition, scrapped in 1959

Specifications:
Displacement 5,354 t.
Length 387'
Beam 52'
Depth of Hold unknown
Draft 30'
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Passengers unknown
Cargo Capacity unknown

Propulsion

boiler(s)

one 2500 hp reciprocating steam engine

single propeller

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
Merchant Service
301310801	92k	Launching of Strathnaver, 27 March 1919, at Downey Shipbuilding Corp., Arlington, N.Y.	Tommy Trampp
USAT American Star
301310802	70k	USAT American Star moored pierside at Kodiak, AK., 4 March 1943. shipscribe.com U.S. National Archives and Records Administration photo # 80-G-79620	John Spivey

There is no history available for American Star at NavSource

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
MARAD Vessel History Database

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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 15 December 2023