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 AWS Names SS John W. Brown AWS Historical Welded Structure
The SS John W. Brown set steam under her own power for the first time since 1946 in August of 1991. Since then, the ship has carried a total more than 30,000 people on its 40 passenger cruises. (Photograph courtesy of Project Liberty Ship.)
On November 3, 2001, the American Welding Society dedicated the SS John W. Brown, a World War II Liberty ship, as an AWS Historical Welded Structure. A part of the Extraordinary Welding Award Program, the historical designation was bestowed on the Brown in recognition of its strong welded design, which helped it serve its country and secure America's freedom during World War II. The Brown is one of two remaining Liberty ships of the 2700 originally built.
Claudia Bottenfield, AWS District 3 director, presented the commemorative plaque to Captain George Maier, master of the SS John W. Brown. Attending the ceremony were York-Central Pennsylvania First Vice Chairman George Bottenfield, York-Central Pennsylvania Section Chairman Mike Bunnell, and Washington Section Chairman Alan Badeaux.
The SS John W. Brown was launched on Labor Day, September 7, 1942, in Baltimore, Md. She first served as a standard cargo ship and, later, after a conversion in 1943, as a limited-capacity troop transport in the Mediterranean Theater. After the war, she carried cargo and supplies to help rebuild Europe across the North Atlantic.
Posing with the AWS Historical Welded Structure plaque presented in honor of the SS John. W. Brown are, from left, York-Central Pennsylvania First Vice Chairman George Bottenfield, District 3 Director Claudia Bottenfield, Captain George Maier, York-Central Pennsylvania Chairman Mike Bunnell, and Washington Section Chairman Alan Badeaux. (Photograph by Art Wadsworth.)
In December 1946, the Maritime Commission loaned the Brown to the city of New York to serve as a floating high school. Students and instructors cared for the ship, which, except for the removal of her armament and a change to a color scheme more in line with a schoolship than a warship, remained unaltered from her wartime appearance. During the 36 years the Brown served as a high school, the engine room was rigorously maintained in fully operational condition, and the triple expansion steam engine was turned over regularly, right up until the school closed in 1982.
Project Liberty Ship was organized to restore the Brown as one of only three operating World War II museum ships in the United States. Restoration began on August 13, 1988, in Baltimore, Md. On August 24, 1991, she set steam under her own power for the first time since 1946 and completed trials on the Chesapeake Bay. On September 21 and 22, 1991, the Brown held its "Matron Voyage," with about 600 members and guests aboard each day.
More information on the SS John W. Brown can be found at the Project Liberty Web site at www.liberty-ship.com.
Program Information and Nominations
For additional information on the Extraordinary Welding Award Program, or to nominate a historical structure for consideration, please contact Nannette Zapata, Corporate Director of Communications, American Welding Society, 550 NW LeJeune Rd., Miami, FL 33126, (800) 443-9353 ext. 308 or, outside the U.S., (305) 443-9353 ext. 308, e-mail: zapata@ aws.org.
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American Welding Society, 550 NW LeJeune Road, Miami, FL 33126
Phone (800) 443-9353, Intl. (305) 443-9353, Fax (305) 443-7559. Website Advertising
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