14. Manning the Liberty ships called for volunteers
In 1940, with America still not officially at war, there were about 55,000 experienced merchant seamen active in the United States. By the end of the war in 1945 over 215,000 merchant seamen served in America’s fleets. All were volunteers. They joined a service which suffered the highest rate of casualties of any branch of America’s forces. Over 8,000 died at sea during the war, about 1 in every 26 who served. Another 1,100 died later from wounds or injuries sustained in the course of their duties. During the disastrous days of 1942, roughly 33 ships per day were lost to Japanese and German attacks at sea. Yet boys as young as 16 and men up to the age of 50 continued to volunteer for the merchant marine, and the United States Maritime Service opened several training centers across the nation. They provided basic training as well as advanced training courses for merchant seamen.
Liberty ships were typically commanded by a master employed by the ship’s operating line. So were the rest of the officers aboard, the first mate, other mates, the Chief Engineer, and the Chief Steward, known as a purser on British and Canadian ships. The crew were selected from applicants at the local union hall. When a Master crewed his ship, he informed the union of the number of men needed and those so inclined stepped forward to accept the position. At the time the crewmen were not aware of their destination, though the rumor mill which ground in every port of call usually gave them some idea. Crewmen remained in the vessel until it returned to an American port, where they were paid off. The sheer number of ships departing ports across the country ensured that seamen were not out of work long.