McKeesport celebrates its namesake on 83rd anniversary of ship’s sinking

The SS McKeesport cargo ship was in service for 24 years before being sunk by the Germans in World War II.

April 29 is always a significant day in the City of McKeesport.

Each year on this day, veterans, dignitaries and community residents gather at the Marina at McKees Point and the Palisades to remember the 83rd anniversary of the sinking of the SS McKeesport.

Members of the McKeesport Area High School Choir and the McKeesport Area High School Air Force Junior ROTC. Jeff Helsel / Mon Valley Independent

“This is done every year around 1 p.m. on April 29 because that is the anniversary date, and we like to stay with that date,” Master of Ceremonies Mary Ann Goldie said.

On Wednesday, the ceremony was held indoors due to the weather, but an outdoor flag raising did take place.

The proud, little cargo ship served its country from 1919 to 1943 before falling victim to a torpedo and gunfire that sent the SS McKeesport to its watery grave.

The freighter sunk en route home from England on April 29, 1943, during the World War II Battle of the Atlantic. The SS McKeesport had served more than five million war victims in France and the Low Countries of Western Europe when it was pressed into the effort to aid Britain.

It had 43 Merchant Mariners and 25 Naval Armed Guards on board when it was torpedoed. All but one survived the icy North Atlantic waters. Their ship had a 55-foot beam and 27-foot draft and turbine engines capable of carrying 9,600 tons at a rate of 12 knots per hour.

The SS McKeesport ceremony, which has been held annually since it was started in the early 1980s by Bob Sokal, features military gun salutes and music from local students, which was conducted by the McKeesport Area High School Choir this year.

The presentation of colors was conducted by McKeesport Area High School Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps members Rayonna Gateley, Jason Moore-Gray and Willie Miller.

The ceremony also provided a chance for the city to honor World War II Merchant Marine veterans who hail from the Mon Valley.

The U.S. Merchant Marine is a civilian maritime service that transports cargo and passengers domestically and internationally. There are a wide variety of merchant vessel types, including tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, general cargo vessels, roll-on/roll-off car carriers, cruise ships, tugboats and many others.

During the service, Adam Striffler Galaski of Striffler Funeral Homes and Creations read a poem, “The Merchant Marine” written by Edgar A. Guest during World War II.

The ceremony also featured tributes from local dignitaries and veterans, including McKeesport Mayor Tom Maglicco and former Allegheny County Commissioner Larry Dunn.

“McKeesport, the Mon Valley and the entire community always supports our veterans, always supports America and has always been there to remind people what a great community we have here, and to remind people what a great country we have,” Dunn said. “Over a million veterans have given their lives to support, defend and keep our freedom.”

Maglicco, who was the keynote speaker at the event, served in the military for 10 years as a supply sergeant. He said that while the ceremony is small, it is a touching moment for veterans.

The mayor told stories of his time as a supply sergeant, where he dispatched soldiers into harm’s way, similarly to what the SS McKeesport did. When he served, he said he thought of the soldiers on the ship.

“A German submarine shot a torpedo, and shot this particular boat,” Maglicco said. “Anything can happen at any time for a soldier and you think of those things, but you know the mission and prepare the best you can prepare, and you think outside the box sometimes. You can only envision those guys trying to save themselves.”

History

The SS McKeesport was a steamship built by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., in Kearny, N.J. She was a single screw ship with a top speed of around 11 knots and armed during the World War II 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.

One of her most remembered voyages was when she carried relief supplies including clothing, food, medical supplies and ambulances to help relieve the suffering of the millions of French, Belgian, and Dutch during the chaotic period of 1940 when the Germans were attacking.

The ship was built in part with steel supplied by the National Tube Works in McKeesport and at her launching, members of that company and their families participated in the program.

After transporting supplies to England on one final voyage, the SS McKeesport sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after being torpedoed by a German U-boat around 9:24 a.m. April 29, 1943 – sinking five hours later.

However, the ship’s history extends far beyond its role in World War II with the ship being an old merchant ship at one time as well as a civilian cargo carrier and a Red Cross ship.

“The story was that these guys jumped on this vessel the SS McKeesport,” Maglicco said. “It was a similar drive toward Europe with supplies, and valuable merchandise that had to be dropped off. A lot of these guys were just like me, with families and loved ones and friends.”

Significance

The memorial, which is located along the Great Allegheny Passage trail in front of the Marina at McKees Point, was commissioned via the efforts of Frank Striffler, who worked with area veterans in the 1990s to have the memorial approved and placed. A wreath was laid at the SS McKeesport stone memorial. An American flag, as well as the SS McKeesport flag, were both raised during the ceremony by Sue Striffler Galaski, owner/operator of Striffler Family Funeral Homes, along with Tom Bergan, AMVETS Post 8 commander.

The memorial features a bronze information plaque that tells a brief history of the vessel. “Taps” was played by high school band trumpet player Bowie Koisor.

“On this day, we think about the merchant marines,” Dunn said. “In years past, we would see them in the front row here, and sadly, as time went on, their numbers dwindled. On a day like today, it reminds us of how important they were.”

For Bergan, remembering the SS McKeesport each year is important because many of those who served on the ship never got the recognition they deserved.

“I like seeing them get the recognition because you don’t see a lot of Merchant Marine activities in general anymore,” Bergan said. “It’s hard to get them out in general for anything. I’m still impressed that people still show up to remember, and that’s the key to it. Remember where you come from, and take pride in your city.”