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Posted by Mike Allard
on May 20, 2009, 7:47 pm
208.148.199.222
As many of you may know, I have been trying to get confirmation that the SS ROBERT J COLLIER was launched with a 20mm gun in place of the 3" bow gun. Well, I now have the evidence. The COLLIER, Hull #1003, was launched June 13, 1943.
Here is a photo of the bow of the sister ship SS PIERRE L'ENFANT, Hull #1001, taken July 12, 1943. She was launched June 11, two days before the COLLIER. One can clearly see the forward 20mm gun.
Here is a shot of the SS JAMES R RANDALL, Hull #979, taken June 21, 1943. She was launched May 2. Same 20mm gun forward.
It must be that the shipyard, Bethlehem-Fairfield, was short of the 3" guns.
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