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USS ''Western Front'' (ID-1787) was a steel-hulled cargo ship which saw service as an auxiliary with the United States Navy in World War I. Initially named ''Martha Washington'', she was laid down for mercantile service as ''Nikkosan Maru'', but following America's entry into the war, was requisitioned by the United States Shipping Board and commissioned into the U.S. Navy as the supply ship USS ''Indiana''. This name was also quickly dropped however, in favour of USS ''Western Front''. ''Western Front'' completed several supply missions to France during the war. After decommissioning, she was placed into merchant service as SS ''Western Front''. Less than two years later, the ship was lost in a maritime accident off Bishop Rock, United Kingdom. ==Construction and design== ''Western Front'' was initially given the name ''Martha Washington'' by the builder, the Skinner & Eddy Corporation of Seattle, Washington, but was eventually laid down, on 25 May 1917 at the company's Plant No. 1,〔''Pacific Ports Annual'', pp. 64-65.〕 as ''Nikkosan Maru''〔〔(General Cargo Ships Built in Pacific Coast Shipyards ), ''shipbuildinghistory.com''.〕 for the Japanese company Mitsui.〔McKellar, (Requisitioned Steel Ships, Part II ).〕〔("American Steamer Western Front in Flames in European Waters—Take Off Crew" ), ''Spokane Daily Chronicle'', 11 July 1921.〕 On 3 August 1917, in an emergency wartime measure, the United States Shipping Board requisitioned all vessels of over 2,500 deadweight tons currently under construction in the United States, and ''Nikkosan Maru'' thus passed into the ownership of the U.S. government.〔Hurley, p. 39.〕 The ship was launched on 15 September and completed 20 October, having spent a total of 150 days (122 working days) under construction. After completion, the vessel was renamed ''Indiana''.〔〔 ''Indiana'' had a design deadweight tonnage of 8,800,〔 and a gross register tonnage of 5,742 tons.〔 The ship had an overall length of 423 feet 9 inches, a beam of 54 feet and a draft of 24 feet 2 inches.〔 She was powered by a Curtis geared turbine〔Silverstone, p. 167.〕 driving a single screw propeller, delivering a service speed of about 11.5 knots.〔 These specifications are identical to those of the later USSB Design 1013 standard, a design originating from the Skinner & Eddy Corporation itself, and it is likely that ''Indiana'' was similar if not identical to the 1013s later produced by the company. However, ''Indiana'' was never formally designated a Design 1013. For wartime service, the ship was fitted with one 4"/50 caliber and one 6-pounder gun.〔〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「USS Western Front (ID-1787)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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