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S.S. H.H. ROGERS
From a Newport News Shipbuilding publication
S.S. H.H. ROGERS
Hull No: 187
Owner: Standard Oil of NJ
Launched: April 27,1916
Delivered: May 25.1916
Dimensions: 516,5 x 68 x 38ft
Gross Tonnage: 10.050
Displacement: 21.250 tons
Machinery: Triple Expansion Engines, 3 Boilers, Twin Screw
Horsepower/Speed: 3,000/10.5 knots
Fate: War Loss, 1943
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H.H. ROGERS was the second tanker delivered to Standard Oil in 1916, and her career closely paralleled that of her sister-ship CHARLES PRATT. The contracts for both ships were signed on the same day, but H.H. ROGERS' keel was laid about three weeks after that of her sister. Mrs. William E. Benjamin, daughter of Mr. Rogers, was selected as sponsor and christened the ship on April 27,1916.
After completion and delivery on May 25, H.H. Rogers sailed with Standard Oil Co. fleet routinely for almost 27 years. Her tonnage was also reduced in 1923 and after 1927 she called Wilmington, DL, her home port.
When war came to Europe, she was transferred to neutral Panamanian registry but was heavily involved in wartime supply. From 1939 to 1943 she made 32 voyages and carried over 3.2 million barrels of cargo. Her trips were mostly on her usual routes, but she also made several trips to Europe, often carrying war supplies.
Februar 1943 found her in convoy with 40 other ships en route from Belfast to the United States, In heavv weather and 600 miles west of Irish coast, she was struck on her port side by a torpedo on February 21. Her fireroom and engine room flooded and she sank quickly, but miraculously none of her crew was lost.
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