Dichmann, Wright & Pugh, Inc.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Maritime shipping |
| Founded | 1925 in Norfolk, Virginia, United States |
| Founder | Vilh Dichmann, Bland Saunders Wright, Frank C. Pugh, Clint B. Sellers, Alan Smith |
| Headquarters | Norfolk , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Bland Saunders Wright (president until 1944), Alan Smith (president after 1944), John M. Levick (assistant secretary and treasurer) |
| Products | Merchant shipping services, World War II maritime support |
Dichmann, Wright & Pugh, Inc. was a maritime shipping enterprise established in Norfolk, Virginia in 1925 by Vilh Dichmann, Bland Saunders Wright, Frank C. Pugh, Clint B. Sellers, and Alan Smith. The Philadelphia branch was managed by Pugh, while Sellers directed the New York City operations. Saunders Wright held the position of company president until his passing in 1944; subsequently, Alan Smith assumed the presidency and John M. Levick took on the roles of assistant secretary and treasurer. The firm contributed to the World War II efforts through its maritime services.
World War II
Throughout the duration of World War II, Dichmann, Wright & Pugh, Inc. operated merchant vessels under contracts with the United States Shipping Board and participated in charter agreements with both the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration. The company was responsible for Liberty and Victory class ships crewed by its personnel, with United States Navy Armed Guards assigned to handle deck artillery and communications equipment.
Ships
Vessels owned:
- USS Bullock (AK-165), acquired in 1947
- Ships operated during World War II:**
- Liberty Ships:**
- SS Matthew Lyon
- Barbara Frietchie
- Paul Dunbar
- Rushville Victory (used as a troop transport)
- Lloyd S. Carlson
- Luther S. Kelly
- George Sharswood
- Sidney Wright
- Matthew Lyon
- David Wilmot (utilized for post-war duties in 1946)
- William H. Kendrick (post-war service in 1947)
- William H. Wilmer
- Thomas Say (engaged in post-war operations in 1947)
- Niels Poulson (struck a mine near Gorgona, Italy in 1946; towed to Leghorn but declared a total loss)
- Ezra Meech
- Arlie Clark
- Henry M. Robert
- Frederick H. Baetjer
- SS John McKinley
- James Moore (troop transport)
- Victory Ship operated:**
- SS Rushville Victory
- C1 Cargo Ships:**
- MS Sea Witch
- USS Antrim (AK-159)