SS Morgantown Victory Builder's Plate

Access and use

Location of collection:
West Virginia and Regional History Center
West Virginia & Regional History Center
West Virginia University
P.O. Box 6069
1549 University Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26506
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Lori Hostuttler
Phone: (304) 293-3536
Restrictions:

No special access restriction applies.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], SS Morgantown Victory Builder's Plate, A&M 4627, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
0.29 Linear Feet 1 flat storage box, 3.5 in.
Creator:
United States. Maritime Commission
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], SS Morgantown Victory Builder's Plate, A&M 4627, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Builder's plate retained from the SS Morgantown Victory, a United States military vessel built under the War Shipping Administration during World War II and named in honor of West Virginia University (called Morgantown instead because it was shorter and easier to say). The plate denotes the ship's name, builders' organization (Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Inc.), location (Baltimore, Maryland), and date of completion (February 1945).

Biographical / historical:

The War Shipping Administration (WSA) and U.S. Maritime Commission oversaw the production of thousands of "Victory Ships" to be used in World War II military operations. Some WSA victory ships were named in honor of U.S. colleges and universities, and Morgantown Victory was named to honor West Virginia University. Morgantown Victory served in WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Builder's plates serve as a record of a ship's production, typically listing the shipbuilders' name, building location, and completion date. This plate was removed from the Morgantown Victory to be retained as an artifact of the WSA effort.

Acquisition information:
Gift from U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 2022 September 1
Physical location:
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard