The Sinking of the SS McKeesport

April 29th marks the anniversary of the sinking of the SS McKeesport by a German U-boat

Like they have for many years, aging veterans and their families come to the shores of the Youghiogheny at a place called the Palisades to remember the proud little cargo ship that served its country well from 1919 to 1943 before falling victim to a torpedo and finally gunshots that sent her to her grave.

The McKeesport was a steamship built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny New Jersey. She was a single screw ship with a top speed of around 11 knots and armed during the World War 2 years with a four-inch cannon and nine 20mm guns. The crew was a mixture of Merchant Marines and Armed Guards and had done good service in the early days of the war bringing relief supplies to Europe when they were desperately needed.