U.S.S. Alfred

On April 11, 1945, the U.S.S. Alfred Victory joined the Merchant Marine as part of the U.S. Navy’s fleet. University president J. Nelson Norwood spoke at the launch and said in part: “Alfred University feels highly honored in having a Victory ship named for it. It is proud to have its name connected with the war effort in this direct way… The University appreciates the thought, whoever conceived it, of naming a series of Victory craft for our institutions of higher learning. The services rendered by our colleges and universities in this tragic global conflict have been vast. Possibly this honor has come to them in part in recognition of this patriotic contribution. Also like many other institutions of various kinds many of our colleges have suffered heavily from the war’s effort.” In 1984, the ship was retired from service and was scrapped four years later.
Interestingly, this was the second ship to be named the U.S.S. Alfred – the first was during the American Revolution.  Originally owned by the British Royal Navy and named the “Black Prince,” it was seized and then used by the Continental Navy which re-named it the U.S.S. Alfred in 1775.