THE BRITISH VICTORIES

The Victory type was the US answer to the need for fast cargo ships to help win World War II. When conceived, the programme to build the plodding Liberty types was in full swing, and there was considerable disagreement in US defence circles as to whether this programme should be disrupted to build the more sophisticated Victory ship.

In the end, two arguments won the day: firstly, that fast transports were vital in wartime, and secondly that the Victories would serve US lines well post-war. But, unlike the Liberties, which sailed in large numbers under the British and later other flags, only relatively few Victories went on to serve with the fleets of former Allies

The Victory type had more or less the same dimensions as the Liberty, but looked rather different. It had greatly enhanced cargo gear, and an enlarged ‘midships house. Rather than having a flush deck, it had a lengthy forecastle to improve seaworthiness. Less apparent were that hull lines were finer to improve speed to 15 knots. After much debate about machinery, steam turbines were specified although a double-compound reciprocating