View source for SS Corvus (1919)

{{Short description|American steam cargo ship}}
{{other ships|SS Corvus}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Soviet steamer Karaganda Between March 1961 and 1963.jpg
| Ship caption = Sister ship ''Karaganda'' (ex-''Circinus''). Photo dated between 18 March 1961 and 1 October 1963.<br/>
<br/>
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=[[United States]]
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|1918}}
|Ship name=*''Corvus'' (1919–1930)
*''Flomar'' (1930–1945)
*''Uzbekistan'' (1945)
|Ship namesake=[[Corvus (constellation)|Corvus]]
|Ship owner =*[[Green Star Line]] (1919–1923)
*Planet Steamship Co. (1923 – Dec 1929)
*Calmar Steamship Corp. (Dec 1929 – 10 Jan 1945)<ref group=note>From 20 December 1941 through 10 January 1945 Calmar operated the ship as the WSA agent.</ref>
*[[War Shipping Administration]] (10 Jan 1945 – 5 July 1946)
|Ship operator=* Green Star Line (1919–1923)
*[[Isthmian Steamship Company]] (1923–1929)
*[[War Shipping Administration]] (20 December 1941 – 10 Jan 1945)<ref group=note>WSA controlled operation of all oceanic U.S. merchant ships under wartime regulations. The owning companies often continued to operate the vessels as agents for WSA.</ref>
*[[Far East Shipping Company|Far East Shipping Co.]] (10 Jan 1945 – 11 Aug 1945)
*[[War Shipping Administration]] (11 Aug 1945 – 5 July 1946)
|Ship registry = 
|Ship route = 
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder =[[Columbia River Shipbuilding Company]], [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]]
|Ship homeport=*[[New York City|New York]]
* [[Vladivostok]] (1945)
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number=33
|Ship way number=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched=6 November 1919
|Ship sponsor=Mrs. M. E. Thorne
|Ship completed=21 November 1919
|Ship christened=''Frances Smith''
|Ship commissioned=26 November 1919
|Ship maiden voyage=26 November 1919
|Ship identification= *US Official Number 219269
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] LTSQ (1919–1933)
*{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Tango}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Quebec}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] KOPL (1934–1945)
*{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Oscar}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Lima}}
*[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]] UURO (1945)
*{{ICS|Uniform}}{{ICS|Uniform}}{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Oscar}}
|Ship refit = 
|Ship fate = Scrapped, August 1946
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class=[[Design 1013 ship|Design 1013]] [[Cargo ship]]
|Ship type=
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|5749}} (1919–1930)
*{{GRT|5551}} (1930–1945)
*{{NRT|3550}} (1919–1930)
*{{NRT|3422}} (1930–1945)
*{{DWT|8640}}
|Ship length={{convert|410.0|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|54.2|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth={{convert|27.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= 
|Ship power=582 [[Nhp]], 2,800 [[ihp]]
|Ship propulsion=[[Llewellyn Iron Works]] 3-cylinder [[triple expansion engine|triple expansion]]
|Ship capacity =
|Ship speed={{convert|11+1/2|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}}
|Ship complement=60 (1945)
|Ship crew= 
|Ship armament=*'''In Soviet service (1945)'''<ref name=br/>
*1 x [[102 mm 60 caliber Pattern 1911|{{convert|102|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} naval gun]]
*1 x [[76.2 mm anti-aircraft gun Model 1935 (34-K)|{{convert|76.2|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} anti-aircraft gun]]
*8 x [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm anti-aircraft gun]]
|Ship notes = 
}}
|}

'''''Corvus''''' was a steam cargo ship built in 1919 by [[Columbia River Shipbuilding Company]] of [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] for the [[United States Shipping Board]] as part of the wartime shipbuilding program of the [[Emergency Fleet Corporation]] (EFC) to restore the nation's Merchant Marine. The freighter was operated on international and domestic routes through 1944. Early in 1945 she was transferred to [[Soviet Union]] as part of [[lend-lease]] program and renamed '''''Uzbekistan'''''. After several months of operation, the freighter was rammed by another vessel on 31 May 1945 and was beached to avoid sinking. She was subsequently raised and towed to Portland where she was scrapped in 1946.

==Design and construction==
After the United States entered into [[World War I]], a large shipbuilding program was undertaken to restore and enhance shipping capabilities both of the United States and their Allies. As part of this program, EFC placed orders with nation's shipyards for a large number of vessels of standard designs. Design 1013 cargo ship was a standard cargo freighter of approximately 8,800 tons [[Deadweight tonnage|deadweight]] designed by Skinner & Eddy Corp. and adopted by USSB.

''West Hastan'' was part of the order for 14 vessels placed by USSB with Columbia River Shipbuilding Co. on 28 May 1918.<ref name=ussb>{{cite web |title=EFC Contracts Sorted by Shipbuilder and EFC Hull Number |url=http://www.shipscribe.com/shiprefs/efc/Builders.html |last=Roberts |first=Stephen S. |work = Shipscribe.com |access-date=12 August 2020}}</ref> Soon after the end of hostilities, USSB started suspension and cancellation of contracts for ships ordered at war time prices. In April 1919 USSB cancelled or suspended construction of a large number of vessels being built at various shipyards around the country.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=26 April 1919 |page=1 |title=2 Million Tons Ship Work Ends. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57195677/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=12 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> In July 1919 some of the contracts were briefly reinstated, including the one for ''West Hastan'', however, it was permanently cancelled on 21 August 1919.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |date=31 July 1919 |page=14 |title=Orders Ships At Portland. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57141031/the-spokesman-review/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref name=ussb/> Despite the cancellation, the Columbia River Shipbuilding Co. decided to finish two cancelled freighters, future ''Corvus'' and ''Circinus'', and try to sell them privately. The vessel was laid down at the shipbuilder's South Portland yard and launched on 6 November 1919 (yard number 33), with Mrs. M. E. Thorne, aunt of Mrs. Smith, being the sponsor.<ref name=miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=2219269|shipname=Corvus|access-date=11 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Oregon Daily Journal]] |date=6 November 1919 |page=18 |title=Steamer Launched Today. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57130359/the-oregon-daily-journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> As the ship slipped into the water, she was named ''Frances Smith'' in honor of the wife of Alfred F. Smith, owner of the Columbia River Shipbuilding Co. Shortly thereafter, the vessel was bought together with three more freighters of approximately the same size by the newly formed Green Star Steamship Co. and immediately renamed ''Corvus'', after one of the [[constellations]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=16 November 1919 |page=15 |title=Shipping News: Portland. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57127557/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

The ship was shelter-deck type, had two main decks and had five main holds which allowed for the carriage of a variety of goods and merchandise. The vessel also possessed all the modern machinery for quick loading and unloading of cargo from five large hatches, including ten winches and a large number of derricks. She was also equipped with wireless apparatus, had [[Submarine signals|submarine signal system]] installed and had electric lights installed along the decks.

As built, the ship was {{convert|410.0|ft|m}} long ([[length between perpendiculars|between perpendiculars]]) and {{convert|54.2|ft|m}} [[beam (nautical)|abeam]], a depth of {{convert|27.5|ft|m}}.<ref name=lloyds/><ref name=uslist>{{cite book |year=1919–1920 |title=Merchant Vessels of the United States |location=Washington, DC |publisher=United States Printing Office}}</ref> ''Corvus'' was originally assessed at {{GRT|5749}} and {{NRT|3550}} and had [[Deadweight tonnage|deadweight]] of approximately 8,600.<ref name=uslist/> The vessel had a steel hull with double bottom throughout with exception of her machine compartment, and a single 2,800 [[ihp]] [[triple expansion steam engine]], with cylinders of {{convert|24+1/2|in|cm|adj=on}}, {{convert|41+1/2|in|cm|adj=on}} and {{convert|72|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter with a {{convert|48|in|cm|adj=on}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]], that drove a single screw propeller and moved the ship at up to {{convert|11+1/2|kn|mph km/h}}.<ref name=uslist/><ref name=lloyds>{{cite book |year=1920–1921 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamships and Motorships |location=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]]}}</ref> The steam for the engine was supplied by three single-ended Scotch marine boilers fitted for both coal and oil fuel.

The sea trials were held in the [[Columbia River]] on 21 November 1919 with the ship performing satisfactorily. Following their successful completion, ''Corvus'' was handed over to her owners next day.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Oregon Daily Journal]] |date=22 November 1919 |page=16 |title=Steamer Corvus Is Turned Over To New Owners. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57138552/the-oregon-daily-journal/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

==Operational history==
Following delivery to the Green Star Steamship Co., the ship departed from the shipbuilder's yard on 26 November 1919 and after a short stop at the oil dock departed on her first trip in the morning of November 27 bound for [[Arica]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Oregon Daily Journal]] |date=26 November 1919 |page=10 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57130652/the-oregon-daily-journal/ |title=Corvus Goes to Oil Dock. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Oregon Daily Journal]] |date=27 November 1919 |page=17 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57130741/the-oregon-daily-journal/ |title=Vessel On Trial Trip. |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> The vessel reached [[Antofagasta]] on December 21 loaded a cargo of [[nitrates]] and from there proceeded to Europe via the [[Panama Canal]].<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=23 December 1919 |page=20 |title=Shipping News.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=12 January 1920 |page=9 |title=Shipping News.}}</ref> The ship eventually returned to the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]] on 1 April 1920, successfully concluding her maiden voyage.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[New York Tribune]] |date=2 April 1920 |page=21 |title=Shipping News.}}</ref>

''Corvus'' continued [[Tramp trade|tramp trading]] between the East Coast and ports of United Kingdom and Europe. She chiefly transported coal on her eastward journeys. For example, she carried about 7,000 tons of coal to Gibraltar and England in February and June 1921.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Black Diamond |volume=66 |number=7 |page=193 |date=12 February 1921 |title=Activities in the Export and Bunker Trades.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Black Diamond |volume=66 |number=25 |page=686 |date=18 June 1921 |title=Activities in the Export and Bunker Trades.}}</ref> In June 1921 ''Corvus'', as she was leaving Baltimore on her way to England, came across Matson liner SS ''Buckeye State'' with fire raging in her [[fire room]]. Hoses were run from the freighter to the liner, and the fire was quickly subdued.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date=13 June 1921 |page=1 |title=Ship Is Disabled; Eagle Tourists To Return To New York. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57164965/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> A shipping crisis that started in 1921 due to overabundance of tonnage and scarcity of cargo hit Green Star Steamship Co. very hard. After its organization it chose rapid expansion, acquiring close to forty vessels and incurring a large amount of debt. As business dried up, and many ships were forced to be either laid up or sit idle in ports, the company defaulted on its debt obligations, and after a two-year-long struggle to get help from USSB, it was forced into receivership and had to sell its assets. ''Corvus'' remained idle during this period of time, but eventually was sold to Planet Steamship Co. at the end of February 1923 together with several other vessels at the [[U.S. Marshal]] auction held in Baltimore for {{usd}}45,000.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=28 February 1923 |page=22 |title=Police Boat Escorts, Too. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57166796/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=9 March 1923 |page=26 |title=News of the Ships and Shipping Men. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57166540/the-philadelphia-inquirer/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

Following the acquisition, Planet Steamship Co. decided to allocate ''Corvus'' and another freighter, SS ''Santa Cecilia'', to intercoastal  East to West Coast trade. ''Corvus'' was reconditioned in Baltimore and left the port on 25 April 1923 for her first voyage under new flag carrying 7,500 tons cargo of steel and general merchandise to West Coast ports.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=21 March 1923 |page=22 |title=Planet Steamers Coming. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57167015/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=11 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=26 April 1923 |page=17 |title=Sailed.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |volume=XVI |number=41 |page=546 |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels.|date=23 May 1923}}</ref> On her return trip the ship carried 4,600 tons of lumber and general cargo to New York. The vessel remained in this coastal trade through the second half of 1924 at which point she was temporarily switched to South American service. After conducting two trips to Argentina with lumber, ''Corvus'' returned to her usual coast to coast trade route in 1925. She continued serving this route for the next several years, largely carrying steel and steel products and general cargo on her westward journeys being often chartered to [[Isthmian Steamship Company|Isthmian Line]]. On her eastward trips she carried lumber and general cargo from various ports of the [[Pacific Northwest]]. On one of such trips in March 1927 she broke and lost one of her propeller blades after striking a submerged object and had to be towed to San Francisco for repairs.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=31 March 1927 |page=17 |title=Storm Sends Vessel To S. F. for Repairs. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57427742/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> The repairs were done in five days and were accomplished without unloading the ship's cargo of 4,800,000 feet of lumber.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=5 April 1927 |page=17 |title=Corvus Is Repaired. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57427920/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> In September 1928 ''Corvus'' while on a trip from [[Rio de Janeiro]] to Baltimore with a cargo of manganese ore ran out of fuel while in the Caribbean Sea and was drifting helplessly until saved by US Navy [[minesweeper]] {{USS|Grebe||2}} who brought her into [[Trinidad]] for refueling.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=12 September 1928 |page=18 |title=Three Steamers In Trouble. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57428642/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=11 September 1928 |page=9 |title= Naval Mine Sweeper Saves Disabled Ship. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57428677/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

=== Calmar Steamship Corporation ===
In 1927 [[Bethlehem Steel]] founded Calmar Steamship Corp. as a whole subsidiary company to transport steel and steel products from the company's steel mills in Maryland and Pennsylvania to the West Coast customers. Calmar transported exclusively Bethlehem's products westbound but served as a [[common carrier]] carrying lumber and other cargoes on their return voyages eastwards for a variety of shippers.<ref name="DMI">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r_jTIbdFUnYC&q=Calmar+Steamship+Corp&pg=PA90 |last=Blume |first=Kenneth J. |title=Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Maritime Industry. |pages=90–91 |year=2012 |publisher=The Scarecrow Press, Inc. |location=Lanham, Toronto, Plymouth U.K. |isbn=978-0-8108-5634-9}}</ref>

In November 1929 it was reported that Calmar Steamship Corp. placed a bid in the amount of {{usd}}937,500 for five steamers operated by Planet Steamship Corp. with ''Corvus'' being valued at {{usd}}179,843<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=29 November 1929 |page=15 |title=Wants To Buy Five Freighters. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429105/the-boston-globe/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> Approximately two weeks later the sale went through and all five vessels were sold to Calmar increasing the size of their operational intercoastal fleet to eleven vessels.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=13 December 1929 |page=62 |title=Calmar Buys Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429272/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=14 December 1929 |page=18 |title=Local Port News And Ship Activity. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429327/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> Following the sale all five new vessels were renamed according to Calmar Steamship established naming pattern, where the names of the ships consisted of two parts, the prefix corresponding to a state, city or facility operated by Bethlehem Steel, and the second part consisting of word "-mar", an abbreviation for Maryland. Under this naming tradition, ''Corvus'' became ''Flomar'' and was turned to her new owners after reconditioning and repairs were done.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=24 December 1929 |page=18 |title=Rename Ships. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429411/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=27 December 1929 |page=13 |title=Calmar Line Names Five New Steamers. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57429474/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=15 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> ''Flomar'' cleared out of Philadelphia on her first trip for Calmar Steamship carrying 7,700 tons of steel and other cargo on 25 January 1930, passed through the Panama Canal on February 4 and arrived in Los Angeles on February 17.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |date=26 January 1930 |page=22 |title=Cleared Yesterday.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Panama Canal Record |title=Movements of Ocean Vessels. |date=12 February 1930 |page=384 |volume=XXIII |number=28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date=18 February 1930 |page=19 |title=Arrivals and Departures.}}</ref> After unloading approximately 3,400 tons of cargo in California the steamer proceeded further north to unload the rest of her cargo and load lumber for her return trip.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=14 February 1930 |page=13 |title=3 Ships In 3 Days For Swayne, Hoyt. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57500759/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=16 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

''Flomar'' remained in the intercoastal service through the early part of 1941. For example, in March 1934 she delivered a variety of goods to California from the East Coast including canned goods, machinery and even several luxury automobiles.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=2 March 1934 |title=Steel Ship Brings Big General Cargo. |page=5 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57546808/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> In December 1932 she had to fight off a strong gale off [[Cape Meares]] resulting in her deck cargo shifting. The freighter managed to make the port even though she had a list of 22°. After restoring her load, the ship was able to continue her journey.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The World |date=3 January 1933 |page=1 |title=Battered Ship Is Safe In Port. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57546046/the-world/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

In November 1934 during one of her usual trips from Los Angeles to Baltimore ''Flomar'' became disabled after losing her propeller about forty miles away from the Panama Canal. The vessel was towed into port for evaluation and repairs. After examination it was discovered that the vessel broke her tail shaft and was put into drydock for quick repairs. She was able to depart on December 10 and continue on to her destination.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun|The Evening Sun]] |date=27 November 1934 |page=1 |title=Ship Bound Here Loses Its Propeller. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57547672/the-evening-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |date=29 November 1934 |title=Local Port News And Ship Activity. |page=21 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57547990/the-baltimore-sun/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=17 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

On 18 September 1935 ''Flomar'' was proceeding down [[San Joaquin River]] for San Francisco. At the same time [[Quaker Line]] freighter SS ''Peter Kerr'' was moving up the river to [[Stockton, California|Stockton]]. At about 01:30 when about seven miles southwest of Stockton, ''Peter Kerr'' suddenly lost control of her [[rudder]] after hitting a river bank and struck ''Flomar''. The collision left ''Flomar'' with a hole in her No. 1 hold under the waterline and smashed port bow, however, the freighter was able to proceed to [[San Francisco]] under her own power where she was put in Hunter's Point [[drydock]] for repairs. ''Peter Kerr'' suffered damage to her bow and in addition had a couple of holes in her bow above the waterline. She continued on to Stockton to unload 800 tons of cargo there before also sailing for [[Oakland]] where she too was put into Moore's drydock for repairs and evaluation.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=18 September 1935 |page=1 |title=Steamers Flomar, Peter Kerr Collide In North. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596350/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=18 September 1935 |page=1 |title=Two Freighters Collide In Deep River Channel. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596434/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=21 September 1935 |page=30 |title=Crews Safe As Vessels Collide. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596529/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> The cost of repair was estimated to be {{usd}}40,000 for ''Peter Kerr'' and {{usd}}50,000 for ''Flomar''.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=25 September 1935 |page=2 |title=Ship Repairs Cost $90,000. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596616/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> Both owners filed [[Libel (admiralty law)|libel suits]] against each other, with Calmar Steamship asking for {{usd}}125,000 in damages, and Pacific Atlantic Co., owner of ''Peter Kerr'', demanding {{usd}}75,000.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The San Francisco Examiner]] |date=9 October 1935 |page=25 |title=Calmar Files $125,000 Libel Against Peter Kerr. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596671/the-san-francisco-examiner/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] |date=9 October 1935 |page=27 |title=Files Counter Suit. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/57596768/oakland-tribune/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=18 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

In December 1936 ''Flomar'' went aground in New York harbor near [[Sandy Hook, New Jersey|Sandy Hook]] as she was towed by tug ''H.W. Card''. The freighter was refloated within several hours and was able to continue her trip.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Daily Press (Virginia)|Daily Press]] |date=22 December 1936 |page=8 |title=2 Freight Ships Run Aground In New York Harbor. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58427808/daily-press/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Courier-Post]] |date=22 December 1936 |page=24 |title=Freighter Refloated, Another Goes Aground. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58428024/courier-post/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

''Flomar'' remained on the same trade route through June 1940. For example, she brought in a large quantity of steel to [[Tacoma]] in 1939 to be used in bridge construction there and loaded a large cargo of lumber at various ports of the pacific Northwest for her return trip.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[Corvallis Gazette-Times]] |date=21 September 1939 |page=2 |title=Steamer in Port. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58430328/corvallis-gazette-times/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> The freighter returned to East Coast on her last peace-time trip on 11 June 1941 and went into dock for maintenance and repairs. At the same time following the Emergency proclamation issued by President [[Franklin Roosevelt|Roosevelt]] on 27 May 1941, the vessel together with many other ships were chartered by the [[United States Maritime Commission|Maritime Commission]] for Red Sea service, which would allow the vessels under US flag to carry [[matériel]] and supplies for British troops fighting in North Africa. ''Flomar'' loaded her cargo in New York but was delayed for several days due to a strike by seamen demanding increased payments for travel into a combat zone.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Brooklyn Daily Eagle]] |date=3 July 1941 |page=3 |title=Crews' Demand Threatens Ships On Red Sea Route. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58430968/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=31 August 2020}}{{free access}}</ref> After the strike was settled ''Flomar'' sailed from New York on 9 July 1941 arriving in [[Port Sudan]] on August 31 via [[Cape Town]] and [[Aden]]. The freighter returned to [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]] on December 4 after picking up cargo in India and Ceylon.

On 20 December 1941 the ship was delivered to the [[War Shipping Administration]] (WSA) at Baltimore for operation under a [[United States Army Transportation Corps]] agreement by Calmar as the WSA operating agent.<ref name=MARAD>{{cite web |url=https://vesselhistory.marad.dot.gov/ShipHistory/Detail/5904 |title=FLOMAR |author=Maritime Administration |work=Ship History Database Vessel Status Card |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration |accessdate=23 March 2021}}</ref>

''Flomar'' conducted one more voyage to the Red Sea area in 1942 departing Baltimore on 27 December 1941 and arriving at [[Suez]] on 3 March 1942. She again proceeded back via [[Colombo]] and [[Bombay]] reaching Baltimore on July 13.<ref group=note>The Maritime Administration status card shows the ship redelivered 19 July 1942 until returning to WSA operation under a Transportation Corps agreement 25 August 1942.</ref> On her third war-time trip the freighter sailed to Panama Canal as part of convoys NG-304 and GZ-4 and from there entered the Pacific and proceeded to South Africa.<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = NG | convoynumber = 304 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = GZ | convoynumber = 4 | accessdate = 4 September 2020}}</ref> After unloading her cargo at Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in November 1942, the vessel proceeded on to [[Paramaribo]]. From there the ship sailed for New York as part of convoys TAG-30 and GN-30, reaching her destination on New Year's Day 1943.<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = TAG | convoynumber = 30 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = GN | convoynumber = 30 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref>

Following her return, the freighter was made part of convoy UGS-5 and departed Newport News on 7 February 1943 for Morocco as part of support mission for [[Operation Torch]].<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = UGS | convoynumber = 5 | accessdate = 5 September 2020}}</ref> The vessel unloaded her cargo in [[Fedala]] and then returned to United States via Gibraltar and England as part of convoys XK-3 and ON-181.<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = XK | convoynumber = 3 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = ON | convoynumber = 181 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref> During 1943 ''Flomar'' made two trips between United States, Canada and Liverpool carrying general cargo and war supplies as part of convoys SC-135 and HX-253.<ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = SC | convoynumber = 135 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Arnold Hague Convoy Database | convoytype = HX | convoynumber = 253 | accessdate = 11 September 2020}}</ref> After returning to United States in October 1943 the ship was reassigned into coastwise service. She was mostly involved in short range missions plying trade between East Coast of the United States and various Cuban and Puerto-Rican ports, such as [[Guantanamo]], [[Nuevitas]] as well as [[Curaçao]], [[Aruba]] and [[Maracaibo]]. ''Flomar'' remained in this service through the second half of November 1944. She then was transferred to West Coast arriving in [[Astoria, Oregon|Astoria]] on New Year's Day 1945. There she was evaluated, purchased by WSA and transferred as part of lend-lease agreement to the USSR Far East Shipping Company on 10 January 1945.<ref name=MARAD/>

=== Far East Shipping Company ===
Following arrival on the West Coast ''Flomar'' was accepted by the Soviet Purchasing Commission, placed under Soviet registry as ''Uzbekistan'' and was transferred to [[Far East Shipping Company]] on 10 January 1945.<ref name=MARAD/> Subsequently, the vessel was put into dock for maintenance and repairs on January 29 and following their completion sailed to [[Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky|Petropavlovsk]] on February 3. The freighter arrived at Petropavlovsk on February 19 via [[Akutan, Alaska|Akutan]] coaling station where she was defensively armed and prepared for service.<ref name=br>{{cite book |title=Fleet of the USSR: Ships of Lend-Lease |last=Berezhnoi |first=Sergei S. |publisher=Velen' |year=1994 |location=Saint-Petersburg |isbn=5-85817-006-4 |pages=295–296 |language=ru}}</ref>

The ships sailing in the Pacific between the West Coast ports of the United States and Soviet Union usually traveled unescorted with ship information being provided to the US Navy prior to ships' arrival, although Soviet vessels sometimes broke this rule. ''Uzbekistan'' arrived unannounced on 31 May 1945 at [[Dutch Harbor]] from Petropavlovsk for coaling. After filling her bunkers, the freighter sailed out from port. As she was exiting the [[Iliuliuk Bay]] about 23:19, she was struck amidships by incoming steamer SS ''American Star'' on her port side.<ref name=nob>{{cite report |title=War Diary - US Naval Operating Base, Dutch Harbor, Alaska and its satellite stations - compiled for the period 10 September 1941 through 31 December 1945 |pages=252–254}}</ref> The collision produced a large hole at her main deck level but also damaged the ship's hull below waterline around her boiler room resulting in rapid flooding of the vessel's engine room. Despite the flooding, the engines continued working and the captain of ''Uzbekistan'' decided to beach the ship to avoid sinking. The ship ran aground on Ulakta Head at about 23:27. Harbor tug ''Osamekin'' (YTB-191) was dispatched and stood by the stricken vessel assisting the survivors.<ref name=nob/>

An inspection of the vessel took place on June 1 and it was determined that the ship needs stabilization first before any attempt to refloat could be undertaken due to the freighter's position and sustained damage. All preparatory operations were finalized by June 6 and ''Uzbekistan'' was successfully refloated.<ref name=nob/> The freighter was then towed to Dutch Harbor where temporary repairs were done, and the vessel was able to depart for West Coast on June 30.<ref>{{cite report |title=War Diary, Seventeenth Naval District, from 1 June 1945 through 30 June 1945 |page=6}}</ref> ''Uzbekistan'' arrived at Portland on July 10 and was immediately put into dock for evaluation. Due to the condition and age of the vessel, the Soviet Government returned the ship to the United States effective 11 August 1945.<ref name=br/><ref name=MARAD/> The ship remained berthed in Portland with Pacific Atlantic SS Co. and States SS Co. acting as WSA agents until sold to Dulien Steel Products, Inc. for $1,675.00, delivered 5 July 1946 for scrapping in August 1946.<ref name=miramar/><ref name=MARAD/><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=News-Pilot |date=13 March 1946 |page=6 |title=Maritime Notes. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/58825593/news-pilot/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |access-date=7 September 2020}}{{free access}}</ref>

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==Notes==
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{{Design 1013 ships}}
{{May 1945 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Corvus (1919)}}
[[Category:Design 1013 ships]]
[[Category:1919 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships of Far East Shipping Company]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1945]]