During World War II, any person or group who raised two million dollars by selling war bonds could propose the name for a ship. There were five Liberty Ships named for Indian Chiefs.
The SS Chief Ouray, hull number 513, was the first of the five entered into production. Its keel was laid down for assembly at the Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard #1, in Richmond, California on November 27, 1942. It was built in “way #1″ of the seven ways (assembly slots). The completed ship was christened and launched on December 28, 1942. It was delivered to the Navy on January 12, 1943.
Three days after the Chief Ouray’s keel was laid down, assembly of the Chief Washakie, hull number 613, began at the Oregon Shipbuilding Company in Portland, Oregon. The Washakie was launched December 24, 1942, four days before the Chief Ouray, thus becoming the first Liberty Ship christened in honor of an Indian chief.
The five chiefs honored with namesake Liberty Ships included Charlot of the Flathead, Joseph of the Nez Perce, Ouray of the Ute, Osceoloa of the Seminole, and Washakie of the Shoshone.
Complete List of Liberty Ships
SS Chief Ouray, Part 2
Story in a Blanket
Internet searches may deliver unexpected surprises. A recent search turned up a Navaho child’s shoulder blanket made of wool Bayetta. It was not what I expected but it turned out to be just what I wanted–once I discovered the story behind this lovely musem piece.
According to the museum description, Chief Manuelito of the Navajo (pictured above) presented the blanket to Chief Ouray of the Utes. The occasion or reason for the gift was not explained.
In 1879, Ourary presented the blanket to his friend and former Ute Indian Agent, Charles Adams, after Adams intervened on behalf of the Utes in the Meeker Massacre affair.
The blanket now resides in the Woolaroc Museum near Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
The portrait of Manuelito is from the collection of the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
