Posted by Bruce Bradshaw on October 12, 2009, 9:40 pm
My father's name is Floyd Austin Bradshaw and served in the Merchant Marines in 1944 and 1945. He was in the pacific and served on the mission purisima and the capital reef. He tells me stories often of his travels to the south pacific. He is now 81 years old and still remembers all the little details I love hearing his stories and would like to see if any of his fellow ship mates are still around. Also if anyone has any photo's of these two ships. Thank You, Bruce Bradshaw
My uncle -Jerman Gilliland - was 2nd Mate (MissionPurisima) from Oct. '44 thru Mar '45 and was under corrective action upon entering the canal zone (mar '45 from traveling west to east). He absolutely hated the captain and since he (my uncle) had already retired from MM service in 1938 -- he pushed the envelope (he was recalled to MM service 1943 for WWII)and was released from service Mar '45. If you have any info please contact me dh2@windstream.net. I got him an DD214 discharge as a veteran (veterans benefits)several years ago, but, he had already passed-over years prior to that. thanks.
Re: SS Mission Purisima and SS Capital Reef
Posted by Ron Carlson on October 13, 2009, 10:51 am, in reply to "SS Mission Purisima and SS Capital Reef " Message modified by board administrator October 13, 2009, 10:27 pm
Bruce,
I can't help you with names of your father's ship mates but here is information about his two ships and links to photographs.
Both MISSION PURISIMA and CAPITOL REEF (note spelling) were class T-2 tankers.
MISSION PURISIMA was built by Marinship Corporation, Sausalito, California, in June-November 1943. See http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergency/wwtwo/marinship.htm and scroll to hull number 25. She operated as a civilian tanker from 1943-1946, delivering fuel to U.S. forces. She became a fleet oiler for the U.S. Navy, designated T-AO-118, from 1947-1955 and again 1956-1957. She was placed in the reserve fleet ("mothballed") until being converted to a floating storage facility in 1976.
CAPITOL REEF was built in 60 days in October-December 1944 by the Kaiser Company, Inc., Swan Island Shipyard, Portland, Oregon. See http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergency/wwtwo/kswanisland.htm and scroll to hull number 113. Also see http://www.mariners-l.co.uk/T2C.html and scroll down. She operated for the U.S. government in the Pacific 1944-1946, sold to a private shipping firm in 1947 or 1948, re-sold in 1955 and 1960 and scrapped in 1961 in Dalmuir, Scotland.
My Dad was a Gunner on the Capital Reef. I just got a hold of his service records and have not gotten to go through them yet. If I find any goo information I will pass it on though.