The USS Ancon AGC-4

The Ancon in Tokoyo Bay for the surrender ceremonies

Ancon (American Passenger Liner, 1939)

Served as U.S. Army Transport Ancon in 1942, USS Ancon (AP-66, later AGC-4) in 1942-1946, and became the training ship State of Maine in 1962. S.S. Ancon, a 9978 gross ton passenger-cargo ship, was laid down by Bethlehem Steel Co., Fore River, Massachusetts, as the second of three new combination passenger and cargo liners for the Panama Railroad Co. Launched in September 1938, she was delivered to her owner in June 1939. Until the United States entered World War II she performed her intended civilian service, linking New York and Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone. In January 1942 Ancon was taken over by the Army Transport Service and for the next four months carried American troops to reinforce Australia. In August 1942, as part of the buildup for the invasion of North Africa, she was transferred to the Navy and commissioned as USS Ancon (AP-66, later AGC-4). Ancon was returned to the Panama Railroad Co. in February 1946 and returned to commercial employment. Her service to Panama was discontinued in April 1961, and in June 1962 she became the training ship of the Maine Maritime Academy under the name State of Maine. She was turned back to the U.S. Maritime Administration and sold for scrapping in May 1973.

In David MCCullough's classic, "The Path Between the Seas"...The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870 - 1914; the cover shows the steamer Ancon southbound as it clears the cut on August 15, 1914.

The country of Panama is located just 9 degrees above the Equator. It is a lost paradise of enchantment. It is a place dreams and fabulous memories. You can be part of it all...Come to Panama... it is more than a canal.

Escape to Panama... a lost tropical paradise at 9 degrees above the equator… Panama at the cross roads of world commerce in the heart of the universe… Panama more than just a canal… What a place to get away from it all... Just do it... you will be glad you did!!!

Here is the USS Ancon ACG-4 locking through northbound at Miraflores Locks. The Ancon was a frequent visitor to Panama during the war years.

Here you can see the sailors on the USS Missouri BB-63 in Tokyo Bay getting a glimpse of the official surrender of the Imperial Naval Forces of Japan. The USS Ancon ACG-4 was there. She is the center ship a few points off the bow of the Missouri.

The Panama Canal The United States Navy in Panama... E-MAIL ME! Picture credits: Author, Bill Fall, David McCullough book's "The Path Between The Seas," US Navy archives, Panama Canal Archives and, Naval Historical Society.