SS Joseph V. Connolly was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after Joseph V. Connolly.
Joseph V. Connolly was laid down on 25 May 1945, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 3143, by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida; she was launched on 9 July 1945.
She was allocated to South Atlantic Steamship Lines, Inc., on 8 August 1945.
In March 1947 Connolly was specially converted for the transportation of United States' war dead at the Hoboken Shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Company.[1] On 26 October 1947 she arrived at New York carrying the first 6,248 war dead from Europe.[2]
On 12 January 1948, while transporting 6,445 empty metal coffins from New York to Antwerp, she caught fire and was abandoned east of New York. All 46 crewmen onboard were rescued.[2] She was taken in tow on 24 January, but broke loose and sank on 29 January.
Wreck location: 40.7833°N -100°W