The SS West Saginaw was a cargo vessel built in 1919 by the Northwest Steel Company in Portland, Oregon, with yard number 35. She measured approximately 409 feet 8 inches (124.87 meters) in length, with a beam of 54 feet 2 inches (16.51 meters), a depth of 27 feet 7 inches (8.41 meters), and a draught of 30 feet 2 inches (9.19 meters). Her gross register tonnage was 6,187 GRT, with a net register tonnage of 3,827 NRT, and a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 8,800. Propelled by two steam turbines of 605 nhp, manufactured by Mid West Engineering Co., she was geared for double reduction and drove a single screw propeller, enabling her to reach speeds of up to 11 knots. Initially built for the United States Shipping Board (USSB), she was launched in October 1919 and registered in Portland, Oregon, with the Official Number 218964 and Code Letters LTBN. Throughout her service, she operated primarily as a cargo ship, carrying goods such as coal, fertilizer, steel, and sugar. Notable early incidents include striking a submerged object off Nantucket in 1925, requiring beaching and subsequent refloating, and a collision with the South Goodwin Lightship in 1930, which caused minor damage to the lightship but left her undamaged. In 1936, she transferred to the United States Maritime Commission. During World War II, she was transferred to the British Ministry of War Transport and renamed Empire Cougar. Under this name, she served various convoy routes between the UK, North America, Africa, and the Caribbean, often carrying steel, phosphates, coal, sugar, and general cargo. She participated in numerous convoys, frequently dispersing or joining at strategic points such as Liverpool, Halifax, Freetown, and Guantanamo Bay. Her wartime service included navigating dense fog, engine repairs, and operating under wartime convoy protocols. Post-war, she was sold to the Aurora Shipping Co Ltd, London, and underwent several name changes, including Grancape and Cougar, before being sold to Italian interests as Favola in 1951. She continued service until she was scrapped at La Spezia, Italy, in March 1960. The SS West Saginaw's long operational history exemplifies the vital role of cargo ships in wartime logistics and international trade during the first half of the 20th century.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.