Ship History & Specifications
War Service Dates: January 1941 - August 1942
War Service Type: Heywood Class Transport
Navy Transport (AP-13)

MC# or Hull #:
Former Name: City of Los Angeles
Former Operator:
Built: 1918 Bethlehem Steel Co., Alameda, CA
Engine Type:
Length: 507 feet
Beam: 56 feet
Tonnage: 7,630 GRT
Speed: 16 knots
Armament: One 5", 43", 8.50cal.
Crew: 350 crewmen
Troop Capacity: 1,278 troops
Disposition: Sunk 8 August 1942

More Information

Quick Info About This Ship
Ship Type: Heywood Class Transport
Navy Transport (AP-13)

War Service Dates: January 1941 - August 1942
Built: 1918 Bethlehem Steel Co., Alameda, CA
Troop Capacity: 1,278
Disposition: Sunk 8 August 1942
Notes:
General -

Originally constructed as City of Los Angeles in 1918.

1940 -

Acquired by the Navy on 30 October.

1941 -

Commissioned on 10 January as George F. Elliott. Sailed for Norfolk on 16 January and for the next year carried units of the 1st Marine Brigade to the Caribbean for training exercises and operated out of Norfolk.

1942 -

Departed New York on 19 February with over 1,100 men bound for Europe. After joining a convoy off Halifax, Nova Scotia, she reached Belfast, Ireland, 3 March to debark her passengers and subsequently returned to New York 25 March. After embarking 1,229 fighting men, the ship got underway 9 April with a convoy bound for Tongatabu, arriving 1 month later and debarking her troops. George F. Elliott sailed 19 May and arrived San Francisco 5 June for repairs. Soon ready for sea, she embarked 1,300 men of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, and stood out under the Golden Gate 22 June in convoy, reaching Wellington, New Zealand, 11 July where combat gear and stores were loaded. As part of Task Force 62 she departed 22 July for the 1st Marine Division's amphibious assault on Guadalcanal. After conducting landing maneuvers in the Fiji Islands, she proceeded to Guadalcanal. Closing Lunga Point on D-day, 7 August, George F. Elliott sent her boats away at 0733 and simultaneously began discharging cargo. Despite enemy air attacks she continued to work far into the night, ceasing unloading only when the beach head became too congested. The next day, 8 August, she got underway at 1056 to avoid an imminent air attack and at 1159 opened fire on Japanese twin-engined bombers coming in very low and fast over Florida Island. Her anti-aircraft guns made repeated hits on a plane approaching the starboard beam only 30 feet off the water; suddenly it swerved and crashed into the ship amidships, spreading raging flames and rupturing the water mains. In spite of the crew's valiant efforts, the fires continued out of control. As salvage was impossible the gutted ship was sunk the same day.

George F. Elliott was struck from the Navy List 2 October 1942.

These specifications and ship histories are adapted from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (US Naval Historical Center) and from various other sources. These summaries may not reflect the most recent information concerning the ships' status or operations. If you find an error or discrepancy, please email me at troopships@pier90.org or fill out our online crossing submission form.