Title: To Karachi and back on the William A. Graham
Description: This is a not-for-profit book published for the purpose of historic preservation. All copies are being donated to libraries, museums, and other organizations dedicated to maritime history. The book preserves the diaries and letters of Everett Stanton Ransom, a nautical engineer who served throughout World War II on "Liberty"-type cargo ships, which were used to carry food, equipment and personnel to support the Allies around the globe. The book chronicles the maiden voyage of the Liberty ship SS William A. Graham, using Ransom's writings from 1942-43 as compiled and edited by his great-grandson, Charles L. Anderson. With its crew of 41 merchant mariners, thirteen Navy regulars, six Chinese aviators and three ministers, the Graham sailed unprotected through waters patrolled by a "wolfpack" of German U-boats operating near Capetown, South Africa in October 1942. Thirty merchant ships were sunk or damaged near Capetown during the period, but the Graham escaped detection due in part to the tireless work of her radio operator. The ship delivered her cargo safely to Karachi in November 1942, then loaded raw materials in Calcutta for the return trip to the United States. The Graham encountered a submarine in the home stretch of her 35,000-mile journey, between Jacksonville and Savannah, but made it safely to New York harbor in February 1943. Ransom went on to serve on several more Liberty ships during the war and after. The Graham was mothballed in 1952, then sold for scrap in 1972. In addition to Ransom's diaries and letters, the book includes official voyage reports filed by the U.S. Navy, a crew list, route maps, photographs and other illustrations.
Subjects: American Naval operations, Biography, History, Liberty ships, Marine engineers, Merchant marine, William A. Graham (Ship), World War, 1939-1945
Places: United States, Wilmington, North Carolina
People: Everett Stanton Ransom (1879-1972)
Time periods: 20th century