title: SS Joseph V. Connolly
text: # SS Joseph V. Connolly
  
  SS Joseph V. Connolly was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after Joseph V. Connolly.
  
  ## Construction
  
  Joseph V. Connolly was laid down on 25 May 1945, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 3143, by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida; she was launched on 9 July 1945.
  
  ## History
  
  She was allocated to South Atlantic Staemship Lines, Inc., on 8 August 1945.
  
  In March 1947 Connolly was specially converted for the transportation of United States' war dead at the Hoboken Shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Company. On 26 October 1947 she arrived at New York carrying the first 6,248 war dead from Europe.
  
  On 12 January 1948, while transporting 6,445 empty metal coffins from New York to Antwerp, she caught fire and was abandoned 900 mi (1,400 km) east of New York. All 46 crewmen onboard were rescued. She was taken in tow on 24 January, but broke loose and sank on 29 January.
  
  Wreck location: 40°47′N 52°48′W﻿ / ﻿40.783°N 52.800°W﻿ / 40.783; -52.800
  
  