Daniel K. Ludwig owned and operated Welding Shipyards, Inc., in Norfolk, Virginia. The yard operated from about 1938 to 1950. During the time, the yard renovated or converted several old ships into oil tankers, and built 19 new oil tankers, including some of the largest built at that time. At least 13 were built to support the United States effort in WWII. In 1950, operations were moved to Japan, where Ludwig had leased the former Imperial Japanese Naval Shipyard in Kure under agreement with the post-war U.S. administration of Japan.
| Ship | Hull# | Built | GRT | DWT | Length | Beam | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia(I) | 8 | 1941 | 11,000 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | First ship completely built by Welding Shipyards, Inc. of Norfolk VA. Tanker, 8,500 SHP. Sunk by U507 in Gulf of Mexico May 1942. |
| Bulkoil(I) | 10 | 1942 | 8,071 | 13,080 | 456’6″ | 59’2″ | Smaller tanker. Renamed Munger T. Ball 1947, Transwestern 1958. Scrapped in Burght, Belgium in 1961. |
| Virginia(II) | 11 | 1942 | 10,944 | 18,730 | 515’11” | 70′ | Same as original Virginia. Tanker, 9,430 SHP. Renamed Amoco Maryland in 1955, renamed Virginia in 1966, again renamed Point Sal 1966. Scrapped April 1967 in Kure, Japan. |
| Pan Massachusetts | 12 | 1943 | 11,015 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | Essentially same as Virginia. Rebuilt 1954 after collision with Phoenix in 1953. Renamed Commonwealth 1953, Calgary 1964, Defiant Spirit 1965, Cerberus 1966. Scrapped Hong Kong May 1966. |
| Pan Pennsylvania | 13 | 1943 | 11,016 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | First of these Ludwig ships classed by U.S. Maritime Commission as T3-S-BF1. Sunk by U550 off New Jersey April 1944. |
| Bulklube | 14 | 1943 | 11,017 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | Pan Pennsylvania Class. Renamed Star Point 1962, Freeport 1963. Scrapped in Hamburg September 1963. |
| Bulkfuel | 15 | 1943 | 11,016 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | Pan Pennsylvania Class. Renamed Amoco Texas 1955, Bulkfuel 1961. Scrapped in Hirao October 1964. |
| Bulkcrude | 16 | 1944 | 11,016 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | Pan Pennsylvania Class. Renamed Blue Point 1962. Scrapped in Hamburg September 1963 |
| Bulkero | 17 | 1944 | 11,016 | 18,900 | 515’11” | 70′ | Pan Pennsylvania Class. Renamed Amoco Florida 1957, Black Point 1962. Scrapped in Hong Kong May 1963 |
| Phoenix | 18 | 1944 | 14,179 | 23,900 | 556′ | 80’2″ | USMC T3-S-BZ1 Type. Collided with Pan Massachusetts on 6 June, 1953, total loss. |
| Nashbulk | 19 | 1945 | 14,378 | 23,814 | 556′ | 80’2″ | Phoenix Class. Renamed Peranza 1973, broken up Taiwan 1975. |
| Amtank | 20 | 1945 | 14,151 | 23,789 | 556′ | 80’2″ | Phoenix Class. Renamed Mount Hope 1972, renamed Guayanilla, Marine Hope, Guaya various dates. Renamed John J. Farber 1978. Scrapped Hualien June 1979. |
| Hampton Roads | 21 | 1945 | 14,136 | 23,699 | 556′ | 80’3″ | Phoenix Class, although completed after USMC stopped designating hulls. Renamed Pine 1972. Scrapped in Spain, 1975. |
| Ulysses | 22 | 1947 | 14,642 | 28,025 | 597’6″ | 80’2″ | Larger and slightly different design from others before it. Renamed Phaedon 1964. Scrapped Taiwan 1966. |
| Danginn | 23 | 1950 | 722 | 191’5″ | 30’9″ | Yacht built for owner, Daniel K. Ludwig. Completed in 1950. Renamed Argo, Henriette II, Henriette, Chrysalis. Refitted 2006. Still sailing as Hasabi II. | |
| Bulkpetrol | 24 | 1948 | 15,591 | 30,011 | 629’8″ | 84’2″ | Largest tanker built when launched. Renamed Vega 1966, Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Vega, and then back to Vega, 1967. August 1971 aft section joined to forward section of Mobile Energy. New measurements 740’11” X 104′, 26,181 GRT, 52,837 DWT. Name changed to Energy 1974. Broken up Netherlands 1975. |
| Bulkoil(II) | 25 | 1949 | 15,586 | 30,006 | 629’8″ | 84’2″ | Bulkpetrol Class. Same name as a smaller tanker built by Welding Shipyards (hull #10) in 1942. Renamed Altair 1966, Pegasos 1967, Keo 1968. Broke in two in Atlantic storm about 120 miles south of Nantucket on 5 November 1969, no survivors. Bow section sank on 8 November, 38-32N, 066-38W. Stern section never found. |
| Bulkoceanic | 26 | 1949 | 15,586 | 30,016 | 629’8″ | 84’2″ | Bulkpetrol Class. Engine made 1937 by Norfolk Navy Yard, installed in 1949. Renamed Pacocean 1968. Broke in two in storm off Taiwan on 25 November 1969. Fore section sank on 25 November, aft section sank 26 November. 45 of 48 crewmen rescued. |
| Bulkstar | 27 | 1949 | 15,586 | 30,013 | 629’8″ | 84’2″ | Bulkpetrol Class. Engine made 1937 by Norfolk Navy Yard, installed 1949. Renamed Amphialos 1963. Broke in two in storm off Cape Cod on 1 March 1964. Bow sank immediately, stern sank while under tow on 5 March 1964. |
| Bulktrader | 28 | 1950 | 15,586 | 30,004 | 629’8″ | 84’2″ | Bulkpetrol Class. Last ship built by Welding Shipyard. Engine made 1937 by Norfolk Navy Yard, installed 1950. Renamed Golden Drake. Reported explosion onboard 28 January 1972. Crew rescued by Venezuelan vessel. Coast Guard extinguished fires on 30 January. Attempt to tow vessel abandoned on 4 February after the bow had become awash. Vessel sank 1 March 1972 at 31-02N, 038-34W. |
Since Ludwig was planning to build much larger ships, he needed a bigger yard. Welding Shipyard was only a small yard with a single building way, which was only large enough to build the 30,000 ton Bulkpetrol class of ships. In 1950, he negotiated a lease on the former Japanese naval shipyard in Kure, Japan. This yard built the largest battleship ever built, Yamato, and was big enough to build the mammoth tankers and ore ships Ludwig had in mind. Ludwig was able to lease this yard for 10 years with an option to renew for another 5 years. It became known as National Bulk Carriers Inc, Kure Shipyards Division. His first ship was built and launched in 1952, S.S. Petrokure.
| Ship | Hull# | Built | GRT | DWT | Length | Beam | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrokure | 29 | 1952 | 21,262 | 38,021 | 673′ | 92’4″ | First ship built by Ludwig in his new shipyard in Japan. Again, largest tanker built when launched. Lead ship in a new class of supertankers. Engine made 1945, fitted 1952. Renamed Gem Pet 1963, Medusa 1967, Allison Conway 1970. Broken up Bilbao November 1976. |
| Petroking | 30 | 1953 | 21,240 | 38,045 | 673′ | 92’4″ | Petrokure class. Renamed Gem Star c.1970. Engine made 1944, fitted 1953. Scrapped 1975. |
| Petroqueen | 31 | 1953 | 21,240 | 38,073 | 673′ | 92’4″ | Petrokure class. Engine made 1944, fitted 1953. Scrapped 1975. |
| Petroemperor | 32 | 1953 | 21,240 | 38,047 | 673′ | 92’4″ | Petrokure class. Engine made 1944, fitted 1953. Renamed Gorgona 1967, Dorcas 1970, Burmah Lapis 1971. Scrapped Kaohsiung 1979. |
| Phoenix | 33 | 1953 | 26,085 | 44,633 | 722′ | 97’4″ | Another largest tanker built. Engine made 1937 by Norfolk Navy Yard, fitted 1953. Scrapped Santander, Spain April, 1978. |
| Sinclair Petrolore | 35 | 1955 | 35,477 | 56,089 | 789′ | 106’5″ | Very large self-unloading oil/ore carrier. Engine made 1936, fitted 1955. Blew up and sank December 1960. |
| Ore Chief | 36 | 1954 | 20,910 | 59,580 | 794′ | 116’5″ | Large twin-screw ore carrier. Sold to Spanish shipbreakers – Desguaces Condal – in 1976 who completed breaking on 25 June of that year. |
| Ore Transport | 37 | 1954 | 20,910 | 59,580 | 794′ | 116’5″ | Ore Chief class twin screw ore carrier. Registered in Liberia, the Ore Transport sailed for Universe Tankships Inc. The vessel was bought by Leitch Transport (division of Upper Lakes Group) and renamed Canadian Transport in 1976. She operated in the St. Lawrence ore trade until 1978. For this 2-year period, the Canadian Transport was the largest ship under Canadian registry. Upon expiration of the contract, Canadian Transport was tied up in Tampa, FL then towed to Spain in September, 1978 for scrapping. She was 794 feet long, 116 feet 5 inches wide, and was capable of carrying in excess of 70,000 tons. |
| Ore Titan | 38 | 1954 | 20,910 | 59,580 | 794′ | 116’5″ | Last of the Ore Chief class twin-screw ore carriers. Broken up Santander, Spain December 1976. |
| Universe Leader | 39 | 1956 | 51,400 | 85,515 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | First ship in a new class of supertankers. First tankers of that size launched. Broken up Kaohsiung August 1977. |
| Universe Commander | 40 | 1957 | 51,398 | 85,618 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Broken up Kaohsiung September 1978. |
| Universe Challenger | 46 | 1957 | 51,321 | 85,596 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Renamed Frisia 1960. Broken up Kaohsiung September 1978. |
| Ore Convey | 47 | 1955 | 16,015 | 30,200 | 655′ | 90’4″ | Smaller single screw ore ship. Fitted with conveyor system for self-unloading. Originally intended to be based at the mouth of the Orinoco to top up vessels which could not take a full cargo downstream. She had a large conveyor belt on board designed for self discharge. Engine made 1942, boilers made 1944, fitted 1955. Sold to Self Unloaders S.A. and renamed Cavala. Sold to Gwo Feng Steel Enterprises Co. Ltd who commenced her demolition at Kaohsiung on 11 May 1983. |
| Ore Prince | 48 | 1956 | 15,652 | 44,675 | 735’6″ | 98’4″ | Lead ship in a new class of larger single screw ore carriers. Engine made 1945, fitted 1956. Broken up Castellon, Spain January 1983. |
| Ore Regent | 49 | 1956 | 15,655 | 44,632 | 735’6″ | 98’4″ | Like Ore Prince. Engine made 1945, fitted 1956. Converted to bulk carrier in 1969 (30,316GRT 48,306DWT). Renamed Sea Navigator 1973. Scrapped Kaohsiung 1979. |
| Ore Monarch | 50 | 1956 | 15,665 | 44,632 | 735’6″ | 98’4″ | Like Ore Prince. Engine made 1945, fitted 1956. Scrapped Kaohsiung September 1979. |
| Duncan Bay | 51 | 1956 | 13,013 | 20,476 | 587′ | 84’3″ | Pulp tanker. Carried liquified “noodle pulp”. Engine made 1944, boilers made 1942, reconditioned and installed August 1956. Renamed Cedros Pacific 1971. Broken up Pusan March 1979. |
| Universe Admiral | 59 | 1957 | 51,320 | 85,564 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Broken up Kaohsiung December 1978. |
| Richard | 60 | 1957 | 19,999 | 32,490 | 669’6″ | 90’5″ | Bauxite ore carrier. Engine made 1936, fitted 1957. Renamed Kathleen 1985. Broken up Kaohsiung November 1986. |
| Petro Sea | 61 | 1956 | 26,035 | 43,927 | 712’3″ | 97’3″ | New class of large tankers. Broken up Kaohsiung December 1977. |
| Petrolene | 62 | 1957 | 26,035 | 43,845 | 712’3″ | 97’4″ | Renamed Commonwealth 1964, renamed Petro Pan 1970. Broken up Kaohsiung September 1978. |
| Harold H Helm | 63 | 1958 | 51,320 | 85,592 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Broken up Kaohsiung May 1978. |
| George Champion | 64 | 1958 | 51,320 | 85,539 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Broken up Kaohsiung November 1978. |
| Universe Defiance | 65 | 1958 | 51,320 | 85,548 | 854’9″ | 125’3″ | Universe Leader class tanker. Suffered explosion and fire (11.55N/17.39W) April 15 1977. Scuttled. |
| Universe Apollo | 66 | 1958 | 72,132 | 104,520 | 949’9″ | 135’5″ | First 100,000 ton tanker launched. Laid up Pireaus, Greece 1977. Scrapped Kaohsiung May 1979. |
| Ore Meridian | 67 | 1959 | 18,123 | 50,724 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Another class of large single screw ore carriers. Broken up Inchon June 1982. |
| Ore Meteor | 68 | 1959 | 18,123 | 50,717 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Split July 1981. |
| Edward L Steiniger | 69 | 1958 | 26,216 | 43,805 | 712’3″ | 97’4″ | Like Petro Sea (hull #61). Broken up Kaohsiung March 1976. |
| Universe Daphne | 70 | 1960 | 72,268 | 107,520 | 949’9″ | 135’5″ | Sister to Universe Apollo (hull #66). Broken up Kaohsiung November 1978. |
| Ore Mercury | 78 | 1959 | 18,123 | 51,474 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Kaohsiung November 1979. |
| Ore Neptune | 79 | 1960 | 18,249 | 50,369 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Split June 1981. |
| Ore Jupiter | 80 | 1959 | 18,120 | 50,784 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Pusan September 1982. |
| Ore Saturn | 82 | 1960 | 18,249 | 50,003 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Masan October 1982. |
| Ore Venus | 83 | 1961 | 16,630 | 50,721 | 751′ | 102’4″ | Broken up Pusan August 1982. |
| J Louis | 84 | 1961 | 20,253 | 36,312 | 669’6″ | 90’5″ | Bulk carrier. Similar to Richard (hull #60) design. Renamed Louis 1985. Broken up Kaohsiung February 1986. |
| Stanvac Malacca | 85 | 1958 | 4,895 | 7,282 | 387’6″ | 55’8″ | Small motor tanker. Renamed Neptune 1963. Broken up Kaohsiung May 1985. |
| Zulia | 87 | 1959 | 15,273 | 13,075 | 548’6″ | 95’2″ | Large twin screw suction dredge. Steam turbine engines made 1945, fitted 1959. Broken up Kaohsiung February 1984. |
| Icoa | 95 | 1961 | 18,797 | 10,444 | 531’6″ | 95’2″ | Twin screw motor suction dredge. Controllable pitch propellers. Powered by two 9-cylinder Nordberg diesels, 10,500 BHP. Broken up Alang December 2001. |
| Universe Defender | 96 | 1962 | 34,696 | 57,644 | 793’6″ | 106’3″ | Oil/ore carrier. Engine made 1943, boilers made 1941, fitted 1962. Broken up Valencia June 1981. |
| Ulysses | 97 | 1963 | 34,696 | 57,829 | 793’6″ | 106’3″ | Last ship built in Kure by National Bulk Carriers. Engine made 1943, fitted 1963. Broken up Kaohsiung April 1982. |
| Payardi | 101 | 1961 | 108 | – | 77’8″ | 23’4″ | Diesel tug. Engine made 1961, rebuilt and installed. 8-cylinder diesel, 632 BHP. |
| Las Minas | 102 | 1961 | 108 | – | 77’8″ | 23’4″ | Diesel tug. Engine made 1961, rebuilt and installed. 8-cylinder diesel, 632 BHP. |
| Argyll | 104 | 1962 | 39,665 | 53,000 | 736’6″ | 106’2″ | Self unloading bulk carrier. Engine made 1944, boilers made 1941, fitted 1962. Broken up Kaohsiung December 1984. |
Victory Ships and Tankers: The History of the “Victory” type cargo ships and of the Tankers built in the United States of America during World War II, by Leonard Arthur Sawyer and W. H. Mitchell. Published by Cornell Maritime Press, Cambridge MD.
The Invisible Billionaire: Daniel Ludwig, by Jerry Shields. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA, 1986.
Merchant Ships: A Pictorial Study, by John H. LaDage. Published by Cornell Maritime Press, Cambridge, MD, 1955.
Auke Visser’s Famous T – Tankers Pages
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Janes Merchant Ships
The Tanker Register
Merchant Ships World Built
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The National Archives and Records Administration