The workhorse of the combined Allied navies was the mass-produced “Liberty” cargo ship. More of them were made during the war than any other ship in history. Sturdy and reliable, they served in every theater of action.

The Liberty ship design was based on the old British “tramp” steamer, with modifications for wartime use. Each ship measured 441 feet long and could carry nearly 11,000 tons of cargo. Powered by steam engines, they had a maximum speed of 11 knots.

More than 2,700 Liberty ships were produced at nineteen American shipyards from 1941 to 1945. By December 1943, a complete Liberty ship could be built and delivered in twenty-seven days, with fourteen days for fitting out.