The odds are very long that anyone reading this message board would have information on SS CAPE SPEAR. Then again, you never know...
You may have better luck by contacting the National Archives. The Archives has custody of a wide range of records relating to World War II-era merchant ships on which Armed Guard units served. Available records include but are not limited to:
* Action Reports (World War II)
* Armed Guard Logbooks and Reports (World War II)
* Casualty Reports (World War II – late 1950s)
* Deck Logs (1941 – 1967)
* Movement Report Cards
* Muster Rolls/Personnel Diaries (World War II – 1970)
* Records of Individual Convoys
* War Diaries (World War II)
Of these records, the Armed Guard reports and the ship movement report cards are probably of greatest interest to you.
To learn more about the scope of these materials and to request records, write to the following address:
Modern Military Records Unit (NWCTM)
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
In your letter, include the ship's name, the date/time period of interest; your full name, address, and telephone number; and as much other detail as possible about the information you would like to obtain. Due to the volume of requests received and the time needed to identify all appropriate records, Archives staff requests that you limit your request to five items per each letter. Allow approximately 10 – 12 weeks from the initial inquiry to a response from the Archives staff.
A charge will be imposed for reproduction/mailing of the records, however do not send any cash/check/charge card information with your initial inquiry. Archives staff will review your request and mail to you an estimate of the cost and payment information. Follow the directions contained in that letter to order the desired records.
Good luck.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard website www.armed-guard.com
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