SS West Kasson

West Kasson was a cargo ship built in 1919 by the Long Beach Shipbuilding Company of Long Beach, California. She was one of many ships built by the company for the United States Shipping Board.
Design and Construction.
The West ships were cargo ships of similar size and design built by several shipyards on the West Coast of the United States for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) for emergency use during World War I. Most were given names that began with the word West. "West Kasson" was launched at the shipyard of Long Beach Shipbuilding Company in Long Beach, California on 15 March 1919 (yard number 130, USSB hull number 2075). As built, the ship was long (between perpendiculars) and abeam, a mean draft of . "West Kasson" was assessed at 5,937 GRT, and 8,570 DWT. The vessel had a steel hull, and a single 359 nhp triple-expansion steam engine that drove a single screw propeller, and moved the ship at up to .
Operational history.
"West Kasson" was launched on March 15, 1919 and delivered to the United States Shipping Board on June 30, 1919. Initially, she was operated by Pacific Mail Steamship Company, who inaugurated a round-the-world service to promote American shipping.
On March 12, 1920 she departed San Francisco for the round-the-world trip to the Orient, Far East, India, Europe, proceeding to New York City, Baltimore and through Panama Canal back to California. She returned to San Francisco at the end of August, covering more than 28,000 miles.
In June 1921 she entered a drydock in Portland for repairs preparing the ship for another long trip. Her second round-the world trip started on July 2, 1921 when she left Portland for Japan with a full load of timber. The trip took her to Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Colombo, Rotterdam, London and back to the US East Coast. However, on her way back "West Kasson" lost a propeller in December 1921 and was forced to spend 59 days in Bermuda, before proceeding to New Orleans. After the trip she was assigned to Mississippi Shipping Corporation.
In 1922-1926 "West Kasson" operated from the southern ports of New Orleans, Charleston and Galveston on local and international routes. She mostly carried cotton on her transatlantic travels to Le Havre and Antwerp, and coffee on her trips from Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro and Santos. In March 1925 she suffered badly from a fire while in Antwerp.
In August 1926, "West Kasson" was sold by the United States Shipping Board to W. R. Grace and Company and renamed "Cuzco". The ship operated mostly between the US West Coast ports and a number of South American ports. Her engine was refitted to be able to use oil fuel.
"Cuzco" was acquired by Carmona Steamship Corporation in 1940 and her home port was moved to Panama City. For example, on July 20–21, 1940 "Carmona" has crossed the Panama Canal with a cargo of salt from New Orleans to Tokoyama. The ship continued operating between various South American ports and the ports on the East Coast of the US.
Sinking.
SS "Carmona" (Master Charles Beke) was en route from Buenos Aires to the US with a cargo of 7,138 tons of Linseed in bulk. The ship was sailing alone and unarmed. At 11:27 local time on July 18, 1942 in position , southeast of Trinidad, German submarine (Georg Lassen) launched four torpedoes and hit "Carmona" on the starboard side. The first torpedo struck the engine room, and killed four crew members. The second hit at #2 hatch about 10 minutes later, and the other two struck shortly after. The ship turned on her side and sunk at 12:00 noon. The Master ordered to abandon ship and the survivors were picked up by a United States Navy Patrol Boat and taken to Port of Spain. There were 31 survivors.