African Endeavor
1948
(Risawoleska RI-230a)
- Type: Passenger / general cargo
- Displacement: 7,922 tons
- Dimensions: 491 x 66 x 26 ft.
- Machinery: Steam turbines, single screw = 16.5 knots
- Passengers: 82 (all first class)
- Builder: Bethlehem Steel Co, Sparrows Point, Maryland, 1940
- Service: Built as Delbrasil for Mississippi Shipping Co, New Orleans (Delta Line) service to east coast of South America - Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Montevideo, and Buenos Aires. One of three sisters ordered in 1938, the others being Deltargentino and Delorleans. Three additional sister ships were requisitioned by U.S. Navy during construction and finished as transports. Delbrasil was commissioned as navy transport USS George F. Elliott AP-105 on 23 Sep 1943. Participated in Marianas and Philippine landings 1944-45. Returned to commercial service in 1948, she was sold to Farrell Lines and renamed African Endeavor. Refurbished and passenger accomodation increased to 82 (all first class). Sailed New York - southern Africa from 1949 on fifty-six-day round trips to Capetown, Port Elizabeth, Durban, Maputo, Lourenco Marques, and Beira. Retired to James River reserve fleet in 1960 and scrapped in 1972.
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