SS Iberville

SS Iberville may refer to one of three Type C2-S-E1 ships built by Gulf Shipbuilding for the United States Maritime Commission:

USS Sumter (APA-52)

USS Sumter (APA-52) was a Sumter-class attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

APA-52 was the second US Navy vessel named Sumter. The ship was laid down on 3 April 1943 as Iberville by Gulf Shipbuilding of Chickasaw, Alabama, for the Waterman Steamship Company; launched on 4 October 1942; sponsored by Mrs. J. F. McRae; and acquired by the Navy on 30 April 1943 as AP-97. She was converted into an attack transport (APA-52) by the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore, Maryland, and commissioned on 1 September 1943, Capt. A. D. Blackledge in command.

World War II

Sumter sailed to Virginia and completed fitting out at the Norfolk Navy Yard. She then loaded a complement of 31 landing craft and a Beach Party unit before sailing to the West Coast where she became the flagship of Transport Division (TransDiv) 26. She spent most of December 1943 conducting landing exercises off San Clemente, California, with elements of the 25th Regimental Combat Team, 4th Marine Division.

USS Hyades (AF-28)

USS Hyades (AF-28) was the lead ship of her class of stores ships acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. Her task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet and to remote stations and staging areas.

Hyades, ex.-SS Iberville, was launched under Maritime Commission contract by Gulf Shipbuilding Co., Chickasaw, Alabama, 12 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. L. R. Sanford; and commissioned at Bethlehem Steel, Baltimore, Maryland, after conversion, 1 August 1944; Comdr. M. C. Wheyland in command.

World War II service

Hyades got underway 11 September 1944 for Trinidad and the Panama Canal, escorted by destroyer Warrington (DD-383).

Rescuing survivors in a hurricane

In the Caribbean the ships encountered a severe hurricane. By 13 September Warrington was foundering. The heavy weather had separated the two ships. When the destroyer went down, Hyades proceeded to her last known position to pick up survivors. She rescued 61 before proceeding to Panama, where she arrived 19 September.