View source for SS Guiding Star

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image               = 
| Ship caption             = 
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header              = 
| Ship name                =*''Nightingale'' (1939–41)
*''Empire Egret'' (1941–42)
*''Nightingale'' (1942)
*''Santa Isabel'' (1942–46)
*''Guiding Star'' (1946–73)
| Ship owner               =*Grace Lines Inc (1939-41)
*Ministry of War Transport (1941–42)
*United States Maritime Commission (1942)
*[[Grace Lines]] (1942–46)
*United States Maritime Commission (1946–73)
| Ship operator            =*Grace Lines Inc (1939-41)
*Ministry of War Transport (1941–42)
*United States Maritime Commission (1942)
*Grace Lines Inc (1942–46)
*United States Maritime Commission (1946–73)
| Ship registry            =*{{flagicon|United States}} Norfolk, VA, United States (1939–41)
*{{flagicon|United Kingdom|civil}} London, United Kingdom (1941-42)
*{{flagicon|United States}} Baltimore, MD (1942–46)
*{{flagicon|United States}} United States (1946–73)
| Ship route               = 
| Ship ordered             = 
| Ship builder             = Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co
| Ship original cost       = 
| Ship yard number         = 373
| Ship way number          = 
| Ship laid down           = 
| Ship launched            = 
| Ship completed           = October 1943
| Ship commissioned        = 
| Ship decommissioned      = 
| Ship christened          = 
| Ship acquired            = 
| Ship maiden voyage       = 
| Ship in service          = 
| Ship out of service      = 
| Ship identification      =*USMC Hull Number 26
*United States [[Official Number]] 230064 (1939-41, 1942-73)
*United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 168168 (1941-42)
*Code Letters WCDH (1939-42)
*{{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Hotel}}
*Code Letters GNRN (1941-42)
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|November}}
*Code Letters WCRH (1942-46)
*{{ICS|Whiskey}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|Romeo}}{{ICS|Hotel}}
| Ship fate                = Scrapped
| Ship notes               = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header              = 
| Header caption           = 
| Ship class               =*Type C2 cargo ship (1939-43)
*Troopship (1943-73)
| Ship tonnage             =*{{GRT|7,169}} (1939-41)
*{{GRT|7248|link=off}} (1941-73)
*{{NRT|4,328}} (1939-41)
*{{NRT|4,233|link=off}} (1941-73)
*8,656 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]] (1939-43)
| Ship displacement        = 
| Ship length              = {{convert|439|ft|0|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam                = {{convert|63|ft|2|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship height              = <!--{{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{convert|xx.xx|m|ftin|abbr=on}}-->
| Ship draught             = <!--{{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2|abbr=on}}{{convert|xx.xx|m|ftin|abbr=on}}-->
| Ship depth               = {{convert|27|ft|5|in|m|2|abbr=on}}
| Ship decks               = 
| Ship deck clearance      = 
| Ship ramps               = 
| Ship ice class           = 
| Ship range               = 
| Ship power               = 1,100 nhp
| Ship propulsion          = Two steam turbines, double reduction geared driving a single screw propeller
| Ship speed               = {{convert|17|kn|km/h}}
| Ship capacity            = 
| Ship crew                = 
| Ship notes               = 
| Ship armament            = 
}}
|}

'''''Guiding Star''''' was a {{GRT|7,248}} [[troopship]] that was built in 1939 as the [[Type C2 ship|Type C2 cargo ship]] '''''Nightingale''''' by [[Huntington Ingalls Industries|Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co]], [[Newport News, Virginia]], United States for Grace Lines Inc, [[New York City|New York]]. In 1941, she was transferred to the [[Ministry of War Transport]] (MoWT) and renamed '''''Empire Egret'''''. In 1942, she was transferred to the [[United States Maritime Commission]] (USMC) and renamed ''Nightingale''. She was returned to Grace Lines later that year and renamed '''''Santa Isabel'''''. In 1943, she was converted to a troopship. She was transferred to the USMC in 1946 and renamed ''Guiding Star'', serving until she was scrapped in 1973.

==Description==
The ship was built in 1939 by [[Huntington Ingalls Industries|Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co]], [[Newport News, Virginia]].<ref name=Ships>{{cite book |last1= Mitchell |first1=W.H. |last2=Sawyer |first2=L.A. |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |page=not cited |publisher= Lloyd's of London Press Ltd |location= London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |isbn=1-85044-275-4}}</ref> She was yard number 373,<ref name=SBH>{{cite web |url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/c2cargoships.htm |title=C2 Cargo Ships |publisher=Shipbuilding History |accessdate=8 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810004336/http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/c2cargoships.htm |archivedate=10 August 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and USMC Hull number 26.<ref name=C2>{{cite web |url=http://drawings.usmaritimecommission.de/drawings_c2.htm |title=The C2 Cargo Ship and his Subdesigns |publisher=United States Maritime Commission |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref>

The ship was {{convert|439|ft|0|in|m|2}} long, with a beam of {{convert|63|ft|2|in|m|2}}. She had a depth of {{convert|27|ft|5|in|m|2}} <!--and a draught of {{convert|xx|ft|x|in|m|2}}-->. She was assessed at {{GRT|7,169}}, {{NRT|4,328}},<ref name=Nightingale40>{{cite web |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a0673.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> 8,656 [[deadweight tonnage|DWT]].<ref name=SBH/>

The ship was propelled by two [[steam turbine]]s, double reduction geared, driving a single screw propeller<!-- of {{convert|x|ft|x|in|m|2}} diameter-->. The turbines were made by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. They were rated at 1,100 [[nominal horsepower|nhp]].<ref name=Nightingale40/><!-- Driving the propeller at xx [[revolutions per minute|rpm]]--> They could propel her at {{convert|17|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=C2/><!-- Steam was supplied by xx [[boiler]]s. Her range was {{convert|xxxx|nmi|km}}<ref name=xxxx/>-->

==History==
''Nightingale'' was launched in 1939 and completed in October that year.<ref name=Ships/> Built for Grace Lines Inc, [[New York City|New York]], her port of registry was [[Norfolk, Virginia]]. The United States [[Official Number]] 230064 and [[code letters]] WCDH were allocated.<ref name=Nightingale40/> She was delivered to Grace Lines Inc on 30 October.<ref name=SBH/>

In 1941, Grace Lines Inc sold ''Nightingale''.<ref name=Grace>{{cite web |url=http://www.islandnet.com/~reh/History.htm |title=GRACE LINE |publisher=John Holthausen |first=J |last=Nilsen |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> She was bought by the MoWT and renamed ''Empire Egret''.<ref name=Ships/> She was placed under the management of [[Royal Mail Line|Royal Mail Lines Ltd]]. Her port of registry was London. The United Kingdom [[Official Number]] 168168 and Code Letters GNRN were allocated. She was now assessed as {{GRT|7248|link=off}}, {{NRT|4,233|link=off}}.<ref name=Egret40>{{cite web |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a1066.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, NAVIRES A VAPEUR ET A MOTEURS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> ''Empire Egret'' departed from New York on 20 April and arrived at [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Nova Scotia]], Canada four days later. She departed on 25 April,<ref name=Port>{{cite web |url=http://convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?search.php?vessel=EMPIRE%20EGRET~armain |title=EMPIRE EGRET |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> joining Convoy SA 1, which formed at sea on 30 April and arrived at the [[River Clyde|Clyde]] on 3 May.<ref name=SA1>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=SA.1!~miscmain |title=Convoy SA.1 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref>

''Empire Egret'' was a member of Convoy WS 9A, which departed from [[Oversay]], [[Renfrewshire]] on 3 June and arrived at [[Freetown]], [[Sierra Leone]] on 18 June.<ref name=WS9A>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ports/index.html?home.php~armain |title=Convoy WS.9A |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> She sailed two days later for [[Durban]], South Africa, arriving on 4 July and departing five days later for [[Aden]], where she arrived on 21 July. ''Empire Egret'' departed the next day for [[Suez]], Egypt, arriving on 25 July. She then sailed to [[Port Said]], from where she departed on 29 July for [[Alexandria]], arriving later that day and departing on 5 August for Port Said, where she arrived the next day. She then sailed to [[Port Sudan]], Sudan, from where she sailed on 11 August for [[Lourenço Marques, Mozambique]], arriving on 24 August. She departed on 1 September for [[Beira, Mozambique|Beira]], arriving two days later and departing on 8 September for [[Cape Town]], South Africa, where she arrived on 12 September. ''Empire Egret'' departed from Cape Town on 13 September for [[Trinidad]], where she arrived on 29 September, departing the next day for [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. She arrived at Philadelphia on 6 October, departing five days later for New York, where she arrived on 12 October. She departed on 22 October for the [[Hampton Roads]], [[Virginia]], arriving the next day and the sailing to [[Norfolk, Virginia]], from where she departed in a convoy bound for [[Liverpool]], [[Lancashire]], United Kingdom, arriving on 5 November.<ref name=Port/>

''Empire Egret'' departed from Liverpool on 20 November bound for [[Newport, Wales|Newport]], [[Monmouthshire (historic)|Monmouthshire]], arriving two days later. She then sailed to the Clyde, from where she departed on 6 December to join Convoy WS 14,<ref name=Port/> which departed from Oversay on 9 December and arrived at Freetown on 21 December.<ref name=WS14>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.14!~miscmain |title=Convoy WS.14 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> She departed on 25 December for Cape Town, arriving on 2 January 1942 and departing a week later to join Convoy WS 14A,<ref name=Port/> which formed at sea on 19 January and dispersed off Aden on 22 January.<ref name=WS14A>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=WS.14A!~miscmain |title=Convoy WS.14A |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> ''Empire Egret'' arrived at Aden that day, sailing four days later for Suez, where she arrived on 30 January. She then sailed to Port Said, from where she departed on 31 January for Alexandria, arriving the next day. She departed on 19 February for Port Said, arriving the next day and then sailing to Suez, from where she departed on 22 February for [[Mombasa]], Kenya, arriving on 2 March.<ref name=Port/> ''Empire Egret'' was a member of Convoy KR 1, which departed from [[Kilindini Harbour]] on 10 March and arrived at [[Colombo]], [[Ceylon]] on 20 March. She was carrying a cargo of artillery and vehicles, accompanied by 26 troops.<ref name=KR1>{{cite web |url=http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/misc/index.html?yy.php?convoy=KR.1!~miscmain |title=Convoy KR.1 |publisher=Convoyweb |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> She departed from Colombo on 27 March bound for [[Bombay]], [[British India|India]], arriving on 3 April. She departed on 15 April for Mombasa, arriving on 21 April and sailing five days later for Beira, where she arrived on 29 April. ''Empire Egret'' departed from Beira on 2 May for Cape Town, arriving four days later and departing on 9 May for Trinidad, where she arrived on 24 May. She departed on 6 June for Baltimore, arriving on 12 June.<ref name=Port/>

''Empire Egret'' was then transferred to the [[United States Maritime Commission]] and renamed ''Nightingale''. She was transferred to Grace Lines Inc later that year and renamed ''Santa Isabel''.<ref name=Ships/> The Code Letters WCRH were allocated and her port of registry was [[Baltimore, Maryland]].<ref name=Isabela43>{{cite web |url=https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/43/43b0855.pdf |title=LLOYD'S REGISTER, STEAMERS & MOTORSHIPS |publisher=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref>

Between 7 October 1943 and 20 January 1944 the ship was converted to a [[War Shipping Administration]] [[troopship]] by Brewer Dockyard Co, New York.<ref name=Ships/><ref name=Charles>{{cite book |last=Charles |first=Roland W. |title=Troopships of World War II |year=1947 |location=Washington |publisher=The Army Transportation Association  |isbn= |lccn=47004779  |page=248 |url=https://history.army.mil/documents/WWII/wwii_Troopships.pdf |accessdate=}}</ref> On 30 April, ''Santa Isabel'' departed from [[Port Hueneme, California]] for [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] with 1,750 troops on board. She arrived on 17 May.<ref name=Troop44>{{cite web |url=http://ww2troopships.com/crossings/1944.htm |title=1944 Troop Ship Crossings |publisher=WW2 Troopships |accessdate=8 August 2011}}</ref> The ship continued in the Pacific including [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] until departing Los Angeles 13 February 1946 for European ports. The ship returned to New York 26 March and in April 1946 was placed in the reserve fleet in the [[James River]].<ref name=Charles/>

In 1946, ''Santa Isabel'' was transferred to the USMC and renamed ''Guiding Star''. She served until June 1973, when she was scrapped at [[Brownsville, Texas]].<ref name=Ships/>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

{{Type C2 ships}}
{{Empire ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Guiding Star}}
[[Category:1939 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Newport News, Virginia]]
[[Category:Type C2 ships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United States]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Empire ships]]
[[Category:Ministry of War Transport ships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of the United States]]