USS JOSEPH HEWES (AP-50)

USS Joseph Hewes was named after Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence

Last updated June 2009

General Specifications

Type	Windsor-class attack transport
Displacement	14,100 tons
Length	450 ft
Beam	61 ft, 6 in
Draft	26 ft, 4 in
Propulsion	Steam Turbine
Speed	15 kt
Armament	one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount; four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts; eight single 20 mm AA gun mounts
Built By	New York Shipbuilding Company

USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50) underway, 1942, location unknown.

Joseph Hewes (AP-50), formerly SS Excalibur (I), was built in 1930 by the New York Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J.; acquired by the Navy 8 January 1942; and commissioned 1 May 1942, Captain Robert McL. Smith in command.

After conversion and fitting out, Joseph Hewes sortied from Hampton Roads 24 October with the Center Attack Group of Admiral Hewitt's Western Naval Task Force en route to French Morocco. She was carrying 80 officers and 1,074 men of the reinforced 3d Division, U.S. Army, plus vehicles and supplies. The transport arrived off Fedhala 8 November, by 0705 landed all troops, and then commenced unloading ammunition and supplies. By 11 November Joseph Hewes had completed unloading and had received 30 casualties from the beach. At 1950 she took a torpedo hit in No. 2 hold from U-173. The transport settled by the bow and began filling rapidly with water. Captain Smith endeavored to pick up anchor or slip chain but, as the entire forecastle was under water, this was not possible. He then attempted to beach the ship by backing engines but her propeller was out of the water, so the order was given to abandon ship. Joseph Hewes went down at 2032, taking Captain Smith and several seamen with her. By his coolness, calmness, and his devotion to duty in placing the safety of the crew and ship before his own, he instilled confidence in every officer and member of the crew. The U-173 paid heavily for her victory, for she was sunk 5 days later off Casablanca by American destroyers.

Joseph Hewes, Patriot

Born: January 23, 1730; Birthplace: Princeton, New Jersey; Education: Graduated Princeton College (Merchant.); Work: Member of the Colonial Assembly of North Carolina, 1766-75. Member of the Committee of Correspondence, member of new Provincial Assembly, 1775; Elected to Continental Congress, 1774-79, Defacto first Secretary of the Navy.; Died: November 10, 1779

Joseph Hewes was born in Princeton, New Jersey and attended Princeton College. He established a shipping business in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1760 and, by the time of the revolution, had amassed a fortune. He was elected to the Provincial Assembly in 1766 and served there until it was dissolved by the royal governor in 1775. He was appointed to the Committee of Correspondence, elected to the Provincial Legislature, and sent along to the Continental Congress in 1775. Hewes was known as a tireless worker in committee and the leading expert on maritime concerns. In 1776 he signed the Declaration of Independence and placed his ships at the service of the Continental Armed Forces. He served the Congress as the Secretary of the Naval Affairs Committee until 1779, when he fell ill. He died at age 50.

USS JOSEPH HEWES (AP-50)

General Specifications

USS Joseph Hewes (AP-50) underway, 1942, location unknown.

Joseph Hewes, Patriot

Sources