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The majority of Liberty ships Lend-Leased to the Soviet Union during WWII  were never returned to the U.S. Maritime Administration, nor was any compensation ever paid. One of these was the Baku.

The History of the SS Baku

The Baku was originally constructed as the SS David Douglas, a type EC2-S-C1 Liberty-class freighter. Built at the Oregon Shipbuilding Company’s shipyards in Portland, Oregon, she was produced for the account of the U.S. Shipping Administration.

Construction: Her keel was laid on June 24, 1943, and she was launched just over two weeks later on July 14, 1943.
Transfer: Upon her completion and delivery to the U.S. administration on July 22, 1943, she was immediately transferred to the Soviet Union under the terms of the Lend-Lease Agreement and renamed the Baku.

Post-War Service and Fate

Following the end of hostilities, and in breach of the Lend-Lease Agreement, the Soviet Union failed to return the Baku to the U.S. government. No financial compensation was offered for the retention of the vessel.

Instead of being decommissioned or returned, the ship was assigned to the Far Eastern Shipping Co. (FESCO), based in Vladivostok. She remained in active operation for the Soviet fleet for decades, eventually being scrapped at Vladivostok in November 1977. By the time of her disposal, the vessel had achieved a remarkably long lifespan of 34¼ years.


This article forms part of our Ships and Shipping collection


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    Last modified: Sunday, 08 March 2026