Clarification of Question by
richard2-ga
on
26 Jun 2003 23:38 PDT
During World War II, the Cavalcade was flying under the Panamanian
flag and was owned by the Maersk Shipping Lines of Denmark. They are
still very much in business. The name "Cavalcade" was the name given
afterthe ship was taken over for the war period by the U.S.
Government. However, it continued to be operated by the Maersk lines
which provided the Captain and crew. It's name before the war was, I
believe, the "Anna Maersk."
The U.S. Government took control of this ship, along with hundreds of
other merchant ships, and put guns on her. A Navy gun crew was put on
each vessel to handle the guns in case of submarine attacks. A Navy
officer, called the Armed Guard Commander, was in charge of the naval
gun crew. That was my job.
We sailed from Philadelphia in October 1942 to West African ports. I
am trying to find any information I can to sharpen my memory of the
vessel and its ports of call on this trip . Thank you and good luck!
