Belorussia-class cargo ships were a Soviet Union class of 25 cargo ships which were built on the West Coast of the United States as per Design 1013 ship and as per Lend-Lease Agreement purchased by USSR in 1942–1945 years, during World War II, as the USSR needed ships of the merchant fleet during World War II and in the first years after this war. Sometimes this class of the ships in USSR marked as West-class cargo ships due to all ships were built on the West Coast of US.[1] [2]
| width= | Original name / Year of build (delivery date) / Shipyard in US | width=180px | Ship's particulars | width= | Ship's names and history |
| West Modus February or April 1919 "Northwest Steel Company" Portland, Oregon | BRT = 5690 GT = 6020[3] DW = 8677 mt LBP = 124.91 m Beam = 16.52 m Draft = 8.44 m ME - boiler & turbine HP = 2332 Speed = 12.0 kt, later 9.5 kn | West Modus (1919–1942), US flag. The ship was built by "Northwest Steel Company", Portland, Oregon and delivered to United States Maritime Commission in February[4] or April,[5] 1919. Newspaper "The New York Times" wrote on 8 November 1919: "RESCUES 611 PASSENGERS.; American Ship West Modus Also Saves British Steamer's Crew."[6] Argun (Russian: Аргунь), Soviet Union flag. | |||
| Culberson October 1920 "Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Corporation" Los Angeles, California | BRT = 5453 LBP = 124.97 m Beam = 16.58 m Draft = 7.32 m ME - boiler & machinery HP = 3500 Speed = 10.5 kn | Culberson (October 1920–1938), US flag. The ship was built by "Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Corporation", Los Angeles, California. She was laid on in 1919 and delivered in October 1920. Mormacmar (1938 – 20.03.1945), US flag. Belinskiy (Russian: Белинский) (20.03.1945 – 27.08.1945), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 3 March 1945. The ship was renamed Белинский and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). During the World War II the ship carried out export-import shipments between the Pacific ports of the USSR and its allies. From 9 August to 27 August 1945, the ship was part of the Soviet Pacific Navy as a transport vessel. On 27 August 1945, the ship was excluded from the list of ships of the Narkomat of Marine Fleet in connection with the return to the US due to unsatisfactory technical condition. Scrapped in 1946 Mormacmar (27.08.1945 – 1946), US flag. Due to the ship returned to the US, the ship again received previous name Mormacmar. Scrapped in 1946. | |||
| West Hosokie August 1918 "Skinner & Eddy Corporation" Seattle, Washington | BRT = 5561 LBP = 124.85 m Beam = 15.91 m Draft = 8.26 m ME - boiler & turbine HP = 2500 Speed = 10.5 kn | West Hosokie (1918–1929), US flag. The ship was built by "Skinner & Eddy Corporation", Seattle, Washington and delivered to owner in August 1918. Constance Chandler (1929–1938), US flag. Liloa (1938 – 13.01.1045), US flag. Belorussia (Russian: Белоруссия), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 13 January 1945. The ship was renamed Белоруссия and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). Scrapped in 1968. Read more about ship's history in the article SS West Hosokie. | |||
| West Celeron June 1919 "Northwest Steel Company" Portland, Oregon | BRT = 5763 LBP = 124.91 m Beam = 16.52 m Draft = 8.44 m ME - boiler & turbine HP = 2332 Speed = 9.5 kn | West Celeron (June 1919–1942), US flag. The ship was built by "Northwest Steel Company", Portland, Oregon, and delivered to owner in June 1919. In June 1940, the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) opened bidding for the reconditioning of ten laid up cargo ships, which included West Celeron. Vostok (Russian: Восток), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 20 November 1942. The ship was renamed Восток and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). | |||
| Siletz 1919 Columbia River Shipbuilding Company Portland, Oregon | BRT = 6069 LBP = 129.24 m Beam = 16.46 m Draft = 7.29 m ME - boiler & turbine HP = 2500 Speed = 9.5 / 8.4 kn | Silets (West Hasoon), US flag. The ship was built in 1919 by "Columbia River Shipbuilding Corporation", Portland, Oregon, US. But from beginning, but he the name during laid on was Hasson West (West Hasoon). In June 1940, the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) opened bidding for the reconditioning of ten laid up cargo ships, which included Siletz. Vtoraya Paytiletka (Russian: Вторая Пятилетка)б Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 19 December 1942. The ship was renamed Вторая Пятилетка and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). During the World War II the ship was used as one of the paramilitary ships of the Far Eastern Basin, the ship carried out export-import shipments between the Pacific ports of the USSR and its allies. The ship was transferred to the balance of the Black Sea State Shipping Company (later Black Sea Shipping Company) on 6 February 1946. Steamer Вторая Пятилетка was decommissioned, excluded from the vessels' lists of Minmorflot of the USSR on 23 March 1967 and handed over to "Glavvtorchermet" (Main organization for the Second Use of Black Metals, - Mainsecondblackmet) for dismantling and cutting into metal. | |||
| West Cajoot 1919 "Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Corporation" Los Angeles, California | BRT = 5504 LBP = 125.12 m Beam = 16.55 m Draft = 8.44 m ME - boiler & machinery HP = 2332 Economic speed = 10.0 kn | West Cajoot (1919–1928), US flag. The ship was built by "Los Angeles Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Corporation", Los Angeles, California and was delivered to the US Shipping Board in 1919. Golden Bear (1928–1937), US flag. Kailua (1937 – 06.11.1942), US flag. Vyborg (Russian: Выборг) (06.11.1942 – 22.12.1948), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 6 November 1942. The ship was renamed Выборг and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). During the World War II the ship was used as one of the paramilitary ships of the Far Eastern Basin, the ship carried out export-import shipments between the Pacific ports of the USSR and its allies. The steamer was lost in Nagaev Bay due explosion of dangerous cargo on 19 December 1947, and excluded from the vessels' lists of Minmorflot of the USSR on 22 December 1948. | |||
| West Camargo July 1920 "Western Pipe and Steel Company" San Francisco, Northern California | BRT = 5804 LBP = 125.13 m Beam = 16.52 m Draft = 8.32 m ME - boiler & machinery HP = Speed = 10.0 kn | Desna (Russian: Десна), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission on 24 December 1942. The ship was renamed Десна and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). During the World War II the ship was used as one of the paramilitary ships of the Far Eastern Basin, the ship carried out export-import shipments between the Pacific ports of the USSR and its allies. | |||
| West Helix May 1919 "J. F. Duthie & Company" Seattle, Washington | BRT = 5651 (GT = 5670) DW = 8527 LBP = 124.88 m Beam = 16.53 m Draft = 8.44 m ME - boiler & machinery HP = Speed = 10.0 kn | West Helix (1919–1927), US flag. The ship was built by "J. F. Duthie & Company", Seattle, Washington and was delivered to the US Shipping Board in May 1919. Pacific Hemlock (1927–1937), US flag. The ship was taken by an American shipping company. Vermont (1937–1945), US flag. The ship was taken by another American shipping company. From 1939 to 1 February 1945, the ship was managed by "Pacific Atlantic Steamship Co." and owner was "California Eastern Line Inc."". This ship was included in Arctic convoy JW 51B, total was 15 cargo ships in this convoy, which was sent from United Kingdom by the Western Allies to aid the Soviet Union during World War II. It sailed in late December 1942, reaching the Soviet northern ports in early January 1943. This convoy arrived at Murmansk without loss of cargo ships, though one had been damaged.[8] Izmail (Russian: Измаил), Soviet Union flag. As per Lend-Lease Agreement the ship was adopted by the Soviet procurement commission шт Portland, Oregon, on 1 February 1945. The ship was renamed Измаил and included in the Far Eastern State Sea Shipping company (it was renamed Far Eastern Shipping Company later). During the World War II the ship was used as one of the paramilitary ships of the Far Eastern Basin, the ship carried out export-import shipments between the Pacific ports of the USSR and its allies. As a troop transport this ship was carrying military replenishment and goods in the port of Maoka (Kholmsk) in August 1945, evacuated injured people from the landing area of the troops. The ship was transferred to the balance of the Black Sea State Shipping Company (later Black Sea Shipping Company) on 20 April 1964. The ship 6.09.1965 G. decommissioned and excluded from the vessels' lists of Minmorflot of the USSR on 6 September 1965. | |||
| West Cavanal June 1919 "Southwestern Shipbuilding Company" San Pedro, California | BRT = 5505 DW = 8500 LBP = 125.12 m Beam = 16.55 m Draft = 7.35 m ME - boiler & machinery HP = 2500 Speed = 10.0 kn | West Cavanal (1919–1923), US flag. The ship was built by "Southwestern Shipbuilding Company", San Pedro, California in June 1919 and was admitted to the US Shipping Board. Edgar Bowling (1923–1927), US flag. Texmar (1927–1945), US flag. From 1939 to 6 February 1945, the ship was under command "Bethlehem Steel Corporation" ("Calmar Steamship Corporation"). Irkutsk ( NotesSee also |