SAINTE HELENE (Cinderella stamp)

[aukepalmhof]

Built as the GWINNETT in 1944 by Walter Butler SB of Superior, Wisconsin. She was an Alamosa-class cargo ship.

GRT: 3920; NRT: 2134; DWT: 6400.
Dimensions: 338' 8" x 50' 1" x 21' 2" (feet)
Oil Engine 4SA 5Cy 545 x 735mm. Built by Nordberg Mfg Co of Milwaukee

Gwinnett (AVS-5) was originally designated AK-185 and was launched as AG-92 under U.S. Maritime Commission contract by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., Superior, Wisconsin, 14 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Oliva Dionne, mother of the Dionne quintuplets.

After being taken down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, Louisiana, the ship was outfitted at Port Houston Iron Works, Houston, Texas, and commissioned there 10 April 1945, Lt. H. K. Golwey in command.

Soon after commissioning, Gwinnett was redesigned AVS-5 on 25 May 1945. After shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico she was ordered to the Pacific coast for disposal.

Gwinnett arrived San Francisco, California, 25 January 1946. She decommissioned and was simultaneously redelivered to the U.S. Maritime Commission 11 February 1946.

In 1947 sold to Société Daher de Gérance et d'Armement and renamed SAINTE HELENE. By 1945 the company had lost all its ships and had to start rebuilding their fleet.

Sold 1968 to the Philippines and renamed PRINCE KL

11 October 1968 on a voyage from Davao to Tandjong Mani, grounded off Bancoran Island in the Sulu Sea.
21 November 1968 refloated with severe bottom damage. Repairs proved uneconomic and sold for scrap.
February 1970 arrived Hong Kong for scrapping.

Sources: Lloyd's Register 1965 – 66. Wikipedia.
http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/ ... perior.htm
http://www.shipspotters.nl/viewtopic.ph ... 5&start=25

Peter Crichton