USS Edward Rutledge

USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52/APA-24) was an Edward Rutledge-class troop transport (AP), later re-designated as an attack transport (APA). She was acquired by the U.S. Navy for use in World War II, and was assigned the task of transporting troops to and from battle areas. Operating in dangerous Mediterranean waters on 12 November 1942, she was sunk after being struck by a German submarine’s torpedo at Fedala Bay, Morocco.

History
United States
Ordered	as SS Exeter
Laid down	1931
Launched	4 April 1931
Acquired	7 January 1942
Commissioned	USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52), 18 April 1942
Stricken	7 December 1942
Fate	Sunk, 12 November 1942
General characteristics
Displacement	14,330 t
Length	475 ft (145 m)
Beam	62 ft (19 m)
Draught	26 ft (7.9 m)
Propulsion	steam turbine
Speed	16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement	unknown
Armament	one single 5 in (127 mm)/38 dual-purpose gun mount; four single 3 in (76 mm) dual-purpose gun mounts; eight single 20 mm guns AA gun mounts

Construction history

Edward Rutledge (AP-52) was built in 1931 by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey, for the American Export Lines as the SS Exeter; one of American Export Lines "4 Aces" - sister ships, SS Excalibur, SS Exeter, SS Excambion and SS Exochorda — she provided regular service between New York and Europe; transferred to the Navy from the Maritime Commission 7 January 1942; converted by Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida; and commissioned 18 April 1942.

North Africa operations

Edward Rutledge sailed from Tampa, Florida, in convoy 13 May 1942 to Norfolk, Virginia. She operated in Chesapeake Bay training soldiers for the invasion of North Africa. Departing Hampton Roads 24 October, she landed troops at Fedhala, French Morocco, on 8 November, and lay off the beach unloading her cargo with two lifeboats, the only boats remaining after the Naval Battle of Casablanca.

Sinking

On 12 November she was torpedoed by U-130 commanded by Ernst Kals, who slipped past the escort screen to sink three transports. Edward Rutledge's crew attempted to beach her but all power had been lost; she settled rapidly by the stern and sank with the loss of 15 men.

Military honors and awards

Edward Rutledge received one battle star for World War II service:

North African occupation (Algeria-Morocco landings, 8 November to 11 November 1942).

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Edward Rutledge at NavSource Naval History

33.798°N 7.410°W / 33.798; -7.410