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Z-ET1-S-C3 LibertyTankers built by Delta Shipbuilding, New Orleans, LA.
Leif Ericson
ET1-S-C3

Armadillo Class Mobile Station Tanker:
Laid down, 11 October 1943, as SS Leif Ericson, a Maritime Commission type (Z-ET1-S-C3) hull, under
Maritime Commission contract (MCE Hull 1930) at Delta Shipbuilding Corp., New Orleans, LA.
Launched, 24 November 1943
Accepted by the US Navy 29 December 1943
Commissioned USS Porcupine (IX-126), 30 December 1943, LT. Daniel M. Paul USN in command
Final Disposition, lost to enemy action, 30 December 1944 at Mangarin Bay, Leyte, P.I.
Struck from the Naval Register, 19 January 1945.

Specifications:
Displacement 3,665 t.(lt)
Length 441' 6"
Beam 56' 11"
Draft 28' 4"
Speed 11 kts.
Complement 79
Armament
one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
eight single 20mm AA gun mounts
Propulsion
two 220 PSI boilers
one triple-expansion reciprocating engine
single 4 blade, 18' 6" propeller, 2,500shp

LEIF ERICSON, US, 1T
7,218 GRT for U. S. War Shipping Administration, New Orleans, 422.8 x 57.0
Tanker built by Delta Shipbuilding Co., Inc., New Orleans,  (12/43),  #91,  244754
12/1943 - PORCUPINE  (IX-126)   U. S. Navy - station tanker
Struck by a Japanese "Val" bomber in a suicide attack 30 Dec 1944, while anchored in Mangarin Bay, Mindoro,
voyage Hollandia - Mangarin Bay, avgas, caught fire and burned out, total loss
( See photo below )
The Miramar Ship Index for "LEIF ERICSON"
IDNo:
2244754
Year:
1943
Name:
LEIF ERICSON
Keel:
11.10.1943
Type:
Tanker
Launch Date:
24.11.1943
Flag:
USA
Date of completion:
30.12.1943

Tons:
7218
Link:
-
DWT:
10674
Yard No:
91
Length overall:
134.6
Ship Design:
Z-ET1-S-C3
LPP:
126.8
Country of build:
USA
Beam:
17.3
Builder:
Delta SB Co.
Material of build:
Location of yard:
New Orleans
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
1T-11

Subsequent History:
1943 PORCUPINE

Disposal Data:
Struck by a Japanese "Val" bomber in a suicide attack 30 Dec 1944 at anchor in Mangarin Bay,
Mindoro on 30.12.1944 (7 dead ) [ Voyage Hollandia-Mindoro, with avgas ]

History:
ON
LR/IMO
ID
Year
Name
Tons
Change
Registered Owner
244754
2244754
1943
LEIF ERICSON
7218
U.S. Govt.
IX-126
2244754
1943
PORCUPINE
7218
1943
U.S. Navy

 
"Porcupine", ex. "Leif Ericson" at anchor, on October 17th, 1944.
( Copyright reserved )
 
"Porcupine", ex. "Leif Ericson", filled with aviation fuel, is struck by a kamikaze plane about 1549, 30 December 1944, off White Beach,
Mangarin Bay, Leyte, PI. Porcupine was attacked by five Japanese Vals. The successful attacker dropped a bomb on Porcupine, then
crashed into the ship, killing seven of her crew and wounding eight others. Attempts to stop the resulting fire from reaching the
aviation fuel failed. Porcupine burned to the water line.
( Photo thanks to Joe Radigan )