USAT Sea Marlin SS " Sea Marlin was launched at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula Mississippi on Victory Fleet Day ; September 27 , 1943 . Its sponsor was Mrs . D . G . Peattie , wife of Ingalls ' Machinery Superintendent . Conversion from a Victory Ship to a 2 , 111 berth transport was completed in New Orleans on January 31 , 1944 . Upon delivery to the War Shipping Administration USAT " Sea Marlin was leased to Grace Line . On February 9 , 1944 " Sea Marlin " sailed from its home port of New Orleans on its maiden voyage , bound for Australia and New Guinea via the Panama Canal , under the command of Merchant Marine Captain George Ekstrom . World War II . " Sea Marlin " served most of the war in the Pacific which included ports - of - call in Australia , Panama , New Guinea , New Zealand , Guam , Saipan , Eniwetok , Leyte Gulf , Tinian plus the Admiralty , Babelthaup , Caroline , Palau , Philippine , New Hebrides , and Mariana Islands . U . S . Pacific ports included Camp Stoneman , Honolulu , San Francisco , San Pedro , Seattle , Portland , and Port Hueneme . While outbound from the states her passengers were destined for the Pacific war zones on return voyages " Sea Marlin " served as a hospital ship returning the wounded stateside . At the Battle of Okinawa the " Sea Marlin " s Naval Armed Guard crew received a Battle Star for the service during the invasion . This action included the Japanese Kamikaze attack on the invasion fleet . Ship ’ s Complement . Typical of Army Transports " Sea Marlin " was crewed by merchant marines , administered by personnel of the US Army Transportation Corps ( Water Division ) and protected by a contingent of the US Naval Armed Guard s . In September 1944 the ship ' s roster included : Captain George Ekstrom went to sea at age 13 in 1898 as a cook . He later became an ordinary seaman , an able seaman , and he worked in various capacities going up the ladder in the hard school until he became master of his own ship . Until World War I Captain Ekstrom put to sea only in sailing ships . Captain Ekstrom was an amateur painter with an interest in nautical themes . Ship ’ s Passengers . Units transported include : Ship ' s Newsletter . The following is a text of a newsletter provided to the passengers of the " Sea Marlin " : U . S . A . T . " SEA MARLIN " THE CAPTAIN AND HIS SHIP Doubtless many of you would like to drop in to see the skipper of the ship , as the master of any vessel is usually of interest to the passengers aboard . However , as we all know , such procedure aboard a troop transport is quite impossible . So we decided that we ’ d tell those of you are interested , a bit about our skipper , Capt . George Ekstrom of the Merchant Marine . He started sailing in the year of 1898 at the age of 13 , starting as a cook . He then became ordinary seaman , later an able seaman , and thereafter he worked in various capacities going up the ladder in the hard school until he became master of his own ship . In his span of years at sea , he has hit just about every port in the world . By the way , up until the last World War he put to sea only in sailing ships / . Then he decided that sailing ships were a past . After the war , he sailed on various types of steam vessels and on January 30 , 1944 he was put in command of this ship , the USAT " SEA MARLIN " , taking the vessel out of the Engalls [ sic ] Ship Building Corporation in Pascagoula , Mississippi . The Captain and his ship sailed from New Orleans , Louisiana , on February 9 , 1944 with troops for Australia and New Guinea , and have been roaming the Pacific ever since . When asked where his home was , the Captain replied , “ The sea is my home otherwise it ’ s any place I hang my hat . ” We asked the Captain what his post war plans were . He said , “ My one desire when all this is all over with , is to drop my anchor and settle down in a little shack by the sea to paint pictures all day and to keep out of mischief . ” EDITOR ’ S NOTE : The Captain , we found out , is a fine artiste . He has on display in his quarters a splendid assortment of oils , depicting the many types of sailing and steam vessels on which he ahs sailed . We think they are super . Keep up the good work , Cap ’ n . Like the Captain , another man we thought you should know something about is your Transport Commander , Major F . B . Willert . A brief study of the Major reveals the following : The Major is now 44 , first saw the light of day in Indian Territory , Oklahoma . He lived most of this life however in Willamette , Oregon . Major Willert attended Oregon State University and after graduation devoted his time to engineering and various occupations in the timber country of the Northwest . Among other occupations , the Major also taught school for ten years . Major Willert entered the army with a Second Lieutenant Reserve Commission in the 736th M . P . Battalion . After service with the MP ’ s he then became Transport Commander of the SS " Perida " and in February 1944 was assigned Transport Commander aboard the " Sea Marlin " . As to post - war ambitions , the Major said that he does not have any definite idea as to what he ’ ll do , however , he is certain that he will not re - enlist . The Major said that , as a whole , the troops aboard are one of the best groups he has had and that he likes their cooperative spirit . In conclusion of our interview , the Major remarked that any credit being given for efficiency should go to the men who serve under him . EDITOR ’ S NOTE : We think that the Major has done a fine job as Transport Commander and we believe that he too has shown the cooperative spirit of which he spoke . Here are some of the men about whom the Major talked in regards to giving credit where credit is due : EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt Col Garrel D . Snyder , CA ADJUTANT Capt Richard C . Borella , CA SHIP ’ S COMPLEMENT Capt K . H . Gruberg , Transport Surgeon 1st Lt Howard C . Day , Transport Chaplain 1st Lt D . E . Wood Commissary Sales Off . T / Sgt Alex Kaplan , Sgt Major Pfc Jackson Hospers , Asst . Sgt Major S / Sgt H . H . Stoyke , Mess Sgt T / Sgt Arthur J . Crandall , Actg . 1st Sgt . SHIP ’ S CREW Captain , George Ekstrom Chief Mate , Winifred L . Price Purser , James W . Price , Jr . Chief Engr , Robert F . Spears Chief Electrician , Jack O . Hayes ARMED GUARD PERSONAL Lt . comdr Dale V . Walfron , USNR Lt ( jg ) H . B . Kakterbeuser , USNR Lt ( jg ) Herbert J . Edwards , USNR GM1c Walter G . Jones USNR MEMOIRS OF A SEA VOYAGE We can remember , with reluctance , our first day aboard the USAT " Sea Marlin " . Like most voyages at the expense of the Army , the beginning was a rocky one . There we stood and patently awaiting like pack mules and patiently awaiting our turn to board the transport . It seemed like an endless wait . As the hours flicked by , and as our pack and duffel bags took on seemingly gigantic proportions , we felt sure that our backs would remain permanently hunched . Night came and finally gave way to dawn , at which time we found ourselves at last staggering up the treacherous gangway . Fighting off fatigue , we made it to the hold were new problems confronted us , that of finding a bunk . After losing ten races , we thought we ’ d be smart by waiting until the track - meet was over . Thanks to this strategy , we found bunk two days later … … . . in the boiler room . Of course , this is slightly exaggerated . Seriously though , once we got settled we found that the " Sea Marlin " was “ all reet . ” [ sic ] Memoirs of this sea voyage , we ’ re glad to say , were mainly pleasant ones . Of course , there were the usual sea sickness at first . We didn ’ t get sea sick , thought I sat in a green deck chair and no one noticed me . But thanks to having quite a few sea trips to our credits , sea sickness didn ’ t last very long with us . After getting underway , we made a few stops . It ’ s nice to remember on those layovers the cool evenings on deck under the starlit skies , the nightly movie on the deck was an added pleasure , and one that was looked forward to every night . We even had some stage show on deck every now and then . Of course , when we were moving there couldn ’ t be any deck activity . However , movies were shown in the holds . We know that it gets quite stuffy when a bunch of men gather in a hold , but this was offset by the fact that many of us preferred the nightly Bingo games instead of the movie . The Bingo games , by the way , became very popular , as a matter of fact there were never enough cards to go around . An added feature to playing Bingo was that the winners didn ’ t have to worry about the cigarette shortage because the prizes kept them amply supplied . Many a pleasant afternoon was spent by book lovers , who would procure from the well equipped library a good novel with which they would curl up on the deck , forgetting their cares . Religion was something that was never lacking , as Transport Chaplain Howard C . Day saw to it that no matter what your religion was , you got plenty of it . Chaplain Day was ably assisted in religious services by passenger Chaplain Vernon A . Kuester . We can ’ t forget the chow that was served . The cooks and ship ’ s complement did a yeomanlike job in the preparation of three meals per day . Three meals a day was in itself an innovation when compared to other not too pleasant voyages . We can recall , reluctantly , on those trips , the vain attempts made at two alleged meals a day . Hence we were quite satisfied with the gastronomical side of the voyage . We surely don ’ t want to forget our good fortune in having females aboard . The nurses and Red Cross workers added color and glamor to what would have been an otherwise colorless trip . Of courses , all was not sugar and cream ; that is to be expected aboard any Army transport . Some of us didn ’ t like G . Q . because we were exponents of the late to bed , late to raise theory . However , we fully realize now , that it was for our own good . Then , there were others of us who didn ’ t appreciate the early morning salt water shower afforded us by the clean - up detail . But after the job was done and the griping was o ’ er , a clean ship made up for everything . Yes , difficulties arose , but thanks to expert guidance , problems were dealt with efficiently enough so as to afford us a safe and sane journey . - By P . H . Fitzpatrick , RM 2 / c - A tough nine weeks on a tough old ship ; Our memories of this will never slip . The baking sun , the wind , the rain , The hours we spent in a gin rummy game . After seasickness vanished , we settled down To the life of a troopship foreign bound . Our duties were few , some had none at all We starred at the stars till tattoo ’ s call . No ship at sea could have more recreation Seeing shows and such were great relaxation . The trip was tough every bit of the way But we complained a little less , each new day . When the war is over and home we go , The folks from the home front will want to know What ship did you go on , and what did you see ? We went on the " Sea Marlin " and saw the sea . Post War Service . On May 2 , 1946 " Sea Marlin " was transferred to the U . S . Maritime Commission and laid up as part of the Reserve Fleet at Lee Hall , VA in the James River . In 1947 Isthmian Steamship Company purchased " Sea Marlin " and changed its name to SS " Steel Director . " The contract to convert " Sea Marlin " from a troopship to freighter was awarded to the J . K Welding Company , Yonkers , NY for a cost of $ 300 , 000 . Isthmian Steamship Company was sold to States Marine Lines on March 6 , 1956 . " Steel Director " remained in service until it was sold for scrap to Taiwan Shipbreakers , Kaohsiung , Republic of China in 1971 . The following is a history of damage , salvage , repair , and refitting to " Steel Director " • During the period of October to December 1950 heavy weather damaged the rudder , boats and fitting . These repairs were made in Houston TX . • 7 / 11 / 50 : On voyage Galveston , TX to Haifa , Israel hit pier at Gulfport , MS with damage to propeller blades and shaft . • 10 - 12 / 50 : Heavy weather damage to rudder , boats and fittings ; repaired at Houston , TX . • 4 / 20 - 4 / 21 / 51 : Heavy weather destroyed accommodation ladder on voyage Calcutta , India to Boston , MA . • 8 / 2 - 8 / 3 / 51 : Heavy weather damaged lifeboats . Repair # 2 lifeboat davit arm , 7 hatch tarps and 4 lifeboat covers ; repairs at Baltimore MD . • 8 / 20 / 52 : On voyage Houston , TX to Calcutta , India hit Congress Street Wharf , New Orleans , LA , damaging 6 pilings . • 2 / 1 / 55 : Hit submerged object damaging propeller . 7 / 12 / 55 : Dry - docked in New York , NY for initial repairs with further work completed in Galveston , TX in October 1955 . • 8 / 9 / 57 : While on voyage from Baltimore and Saigon , South Vietnam to Bangkok , Thailand struck a submerged obstruction . Again on 12 / 1 / 57 during voyage from Baltimore MD and Philippines to Surabaya , Indonesia and Singapore , propeller struck submerged object . All repairs done in Galveston , TX in March 1958 . • 5 / 18 / 58 : Struck submerged object on passage from Mobile , AL to New Orleans , LA . Repairs completed in Baltimore , MD in April 1959 . • 12 / 24 / 59 : At Chittagong , India collided with steamer Pyidawnyunt , with little or no damage and arrived in Calcutta , India on 12 / 27 / 59 . • 10 / 27 / 60 : Grounded in the Houston Ship Channel while en route to Galveston , TX . Repairs deferred until August 1961 . • 1 / 25 / 61 : Suffered rudder damage from grounding in Suez Canal on voyage from Calcutta , India to Houston , TX . Towed to Port Said , Egypt by tug where temporary repairs were done . Towed by salvage ship Svitzer to Palermo , Italy where permanent repairs were made . • 7 / 14 / 61 : Struck the lock wall of Cote Ste . Catherine Lock while transiting the St . Lawrence Seaway en route from Montreal , QB to Kenosha , WS in ballast . Struck lock wall of Lower and Upper Beauharnois Locks while transiting the St . Lawrence Seaway . • Arrived Baltimore , MD 9 / 6 / 61 from New York , NY for deferred repairs to bottom plates damage sustained 10 / 27 / 60 plus damage sustained in St Lawrence Seaway . • 9 / 10 / 63 : generator turbine damaged in consequence of alleged engineer ' s negligence while the vessel was on passage from Madras , India to Calcutta , India . Partial repairs made in New York in December 1963 . • 6 / 7 / 68 : Struck submerged object in Mississippi River while en route from Baton Rouge , LA to Houston , TX and Calcutta , India . Repairs completed in New York , NY July 2 , 1968 . • 3 / 5 - 8 / 69 : Damaged in heavy weather while en route from Porto Grande , Cape Verde Islands . to New York , NY and New Orleans , LA . Partial repair completed August 5 , 1069 in New York , NY . • 1 / 7 / 70 : Grounded with no reported damage . • 6 / 23 / 70 : Collided with barge in Yokohama , Japan on voyage from Saigon , South Vietnam for Seattle , WA . Damage to propeller repaired at Todd Shipyards in Seattle , WA in August . . • 9 / 9 / 70 : Arrived Sattahip , Thailand from Tacoma , WA with refrigeration failure following repairs proceeded to Qui Nhon , South Vietnam . • 5 / 17 / 71 Final voyage of SS " Sea Marlin / Steel Director " from Saigon , South Vietnam arrived at Kaohsiung , Republic of China prior to 6 / 10 / 71 where she was scrapped .