USS Almaack (AK 27)
American Cargo transport
US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo #19-N-28326, taken on 31 December 1941
| Name | USS Almaack (AK 27) | ||
| Type: | Cargo transport (Almaack) | ||
| Tonnage | 6,736 tons | ||
| Completed | 1940 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Quincy MA | ||
| Owner | United States Navy | ||
| Homeport | |||
| Date of attack | 15 Nov 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-155 (Adolf Cornelius Piening) | ||
| Position | 36° 19'N, 7° 52'W - Grid CG 8665 | ||
| Complement | 316 (4 dead and 312 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | MKF-1Y | ||
| Route | Algiers (12 Nov) - Gibraltar (13 Nov) - UK | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in October 1940 as steam merchant Executor for American Export Lines Inc. On 3 June 1941 requisitioned by the US Navy, converted to a cargo transport and renamed USS Almaack (AK 27). On 31 January 1943 redesignated USS Almaack (AKA 10). Awarded six battle stars for her World War 2 service. On 23 May 1946 decommissioned and transferred to the US Maritime Commission, laid up as part of the reserve fleet until returned to commercial service as Bunker Hill for Shepard SS Co in September 1947. Resold to American Export Lines Inc and renamed Excellent in September 1949. Returned to the reserve fleet of the US Maritime Administration in March 1964 and eventually sold for scrapping in May 1970. | ||
| Notes on event | At 04.14 hours on 15 November 1942 U-155 fired a spread of four torpedoes at convoy MKF-1Y about 120 miles northwest of Gibraltar and heard three detonations, but was not able to made visual observations. Ettrick and HMS Avenger (D 14) were sunk and USS Almaack (AK 27) was damaged. USS Almaack (Captain Chester L. Nichols, USN) in station #11 was struck by one torpedo on port side in the engine room, killing four crewmen on watch below. The ship was disabled by the hit as the engine and fire room were flooded immediately. Eight officers and 180 crewmen were transferred to HNoMS Glaisdale (L 44) (LtCdr T. Horve, RNN) by using two LCM from Ettrick for transportation to Gibraltar, only a skeleton crew of twelve officers and 112 crewmen remained aboard to man the guns and prepare the ship for salvage. HMS Brilliant (H 84) (LtCdr A.G. Poe, RN) screened the vessel until the tug HMS Jaunty (W 30) and two armed trawlers arrived at 14.40 hours on 16 November. USS Almaack was taken in tow for Gibraltar and arrived there two days later. After temporary repairs the ship was towed by USS Arapaho (AT 68) to Norfolk in May 1943, where she was repaired and returned to service in October 1943. | ||
| On board | We have details of 10 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.