USS West Apaum (ID-3221)

USS "West Apaum" (ID-3221) was a cargo ship in the United States Navy during World War I. She had been built as SS "West Apaum" for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) as part of the "West" boats, a series of steel-hulled cargo ships built on the West Coast of the United States.

"West Apaum" sailed on three voyages for the U.S. Navy, two after the Armistice, before she was decommissioned in July 1919. Though little is available regarding "West Apaum"'s civilian career, it is known that she was sailing on a New York – Rotterdam route in early 1927. By early 1929, "West Apaum" had been laid up by the USSB, which abandoned her in 1933. The cargo ship was scrapped in the second quarter of that same year.

Design and construction

The "West" ships were cargo ships of similar size and design built by several shipyards on the West Coast of the United States for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) for emergency use during World War I. All were given names that began with the word "West", like "West Apaum",Crowell and Wilson, pp. 358–59.] one of some 24 "West" ships built by Skinner & Eddy of Seattle, Washington.Skinner & Eddy was an emergency shipyard that only operated from 1916 until about 1920.]

"West Apaum" (Skinner & Eddy No. 23, USSB No. 88) was laid down on 19 March 1918, launched on 23 May, and delivered to the United States Navy upon completion on 19 June. "West Apaum" was built in a total of 78 working days, 92 calendar days,Hurley, pp. 92–93.] and was tied with three other ships for tenth place on a list of the ten fastest constructed ocean-going vessels compiled in 1920.The other three ships tied for tenth-fastest were .cite news | title = West Alsek to get coal pulverizers | work = The New York Times | date = 21 February 1929 | page = 55 ] No further information on "West Apaum"'s career is available, but it is known that she was abandoned by the USSB in 1933, and scrapped in the second quarter of that year.

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