Monday, February 12, 1945, was a day to remember. On that winter day in Jacksonville, Florida, the SS Thomas L Haley was launched by the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company.
The name on this ship was in honor of Chief Engineer Thomas L. Haley, a merchant seaman, who was killed on the Liberty Ship SS Julia Ward Howe on January 27, 1943, when she was struck by a torpedo from a German submarine.
On February 24, 1945, the SS Thomas L Haley was turned over to the Royal Greek Government with prominent local Greek community members in attendance. After the blessing of the ship, the shipyard band played the Star-Spangled Banner and the Greek national anthem during the “changing of the colors.” Sharing in this colorful program were the Greek Navy men, who were assigned to man the guns aboard the vessel.
James C. Merrill, president of the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company, directed the ceremony. Speakers were S. Koundouriotis, acting Greek consul, Washington, D.C.; G. C. Gabriel, principal machinery inspector for the U. S. Maritime Commission; Kenneth A. Merrill, St. Johns Vice President; D. D. Stathatos, chairman of the United Greek Ship Owners Corporation; D. J. O’Mahoney, general manager of the yard; J. H. Turner, Labor-Management Committee coordinator and John P. Valassakis, an interpreter. Eugenia Erwin, wife of prominent Jacksonville physician Stanley Erwin, sponsored the cargo carrier, and christened the SS Thomas L Haley.
This was the second ship to be turned over to Greece for operation under the Lend-Lease program. The SS James H Court, name changed to Nicki, was placed under Greek colors on January 31, 1945. The SS Thomas L Haley’s name was changed to Spetsae, the name of an island off the mainland of Greece.
The delivery of these ships to the Greek government were under an agreement which offered only the use of the vessel to that nation. The ownership remained with the United States and the ships were to be returned to the American Government at the close of the hostilities.
After this launching of the Spetsae, the St. Johns River Shipbuilding yard was cleared of liberty ships. The contract for 82 Liberty Ships had been completed.
Jacksonville contributed greatly to this war effort. Merrill-Stevens, with the training and experience of its workers, was instrumental in the construction of these liberty ships. The St. Johns River provided the pathway for the journey these ships were about to take.
Nancy Gandy | Merrill House Museum Coordinator