S. S. Ancon
The caption on the backside of this photograph informs us that this ship named the S. S. Ancon and that this image is during “the war.” Could you please help us confirm this information and learn more about this ship?
What body of water is the S.S. Ancon seen in here? What area of the world did this ship serve in? What time period was it employed for?
Have you or anyone you know served on the S.S. Ancon? What was your, or their, position in the military? When did you, or they, serve?
If you know anything about this photograph, please share your knowledge and stories in the comments section!
9 Comments
John Schmidt ( BHS 50 )
The SS Ancon was one of the most significant ships of the Invasion of Europe on D- Day 6 June 1044. She lay off the coast and played a major role in the invasion forces.
John Schmidt ( BHS 50 )
Further information on the SS Ancon. “quoted from Steven Ambrose “D-Day”
“at 0856 the “Omaha Command “Vessel “Ancon” another quote “On the Command ship :Ancon” General Gerow had his command post.
Just wanted to be sure we all know how much “our Panama Canal ship , S.S. Ancon was a major player in D-Day
Waldo B. Gilley (retired Mech. Supv. at Pedro Miguel Locks)
One of the ships was a troop transport in invasion of N Africa. Another as news broadcasting of Japan surrender.
Lance Terrell
As depicted in this photo, this is the USS Ancon (AGC-4), one of sixteen Amphibious Force Flagships in the US Navy during WW2. She served as a command and communications ship during the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Salerno and Okinawa. During the Salerno battle, an Italian submarine surrendered to her, and a photo exists showing the sub tied up alongside the Ancon. During the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay on 2 Sep 1945, the Ancon was the communications ship that broadcast the surrender worldwide. At that time, the Ancon was anchored just off the starboard bow of the USS Missouri. The other two Panama Liners, the Cristobal and Panama, served their time as troop transports for the duration.
Reginald M. Hayden Jr.
I was Third Officer on the Ancon in 1960-61 and also on her sister ship SS Cristobal. I made one of the last trips on the Ancon before it became the SS State of Maine. I was on the Cristobals last trip out of New York when it went to New Orleans as the only Panama Line ship left. In July 1961 my parents were aboard on the trip to New Orleans. When Captain Nielsen learned my parents were passengers he told me to have dinner in the passenger dining room every night with them and he stood part of my watch. He was a true gentleman and a fine seaman. On 12/23/60 we searched for survivors of the Keystone Tanker Pine Ridge which broke in two off Cape Hatteras. Captain Nielsen exhibited extraordinary seamanship skills in the mountainous seas during the search!!
J J Wall
I understand that she was a Communications ship during WWII, earning many battle ribbons, as stated above by L. Terrill & I also heard that she was the ship that broadcast the Japanese surrender to the World, as part of the fleet that sailed into Tokyo Bay to accept the surrender on board the USS Missouri. I also understand that she was the second “Ancon”, named after the original one that made the first Canal transit. Of the three Panama Line ships,(Panama, Cristobal, & Ancon) I believe she was the newest one built.
Robert Dillon
I believe the first transit was the Cristobal, but the first official transit, the second transit, was the Ancon.
Robert Dillon
“Almost two weeks before the “official” crossing on the 15th, the Cristobal sailed from its namesake port city to Balboa on the Pacific coast, completing the journey in 12 hours. The sailing (not announced to the press) was a test run planned by Chief Engineer George Goethals to prove that the transit could easily be made—but without the pressure of knowing that the eyes of the world were on him.”
“It wasn’t exactly a stealth passage: 200 guests made the trip and the ship’s progress was logged meticulously for the Canal Record, a newspaper dedicated to the new route. Even so, it was obscured in history by the official first trip, a journey undertaken with confidence thanks to the success of the Cristobal crossing.”
FROM: https://www.gct.com/community/the-inside-scoop/the-buzz/ss-cristobal
Karen Ann Kalmeyer
My father served aboard the USS Ancon during WW II from 44 to 45, Seaman 1st class.
We have this photo.