SS Frederick Bartholdi SS Frederick Bartholdi SS "Frederick Bartholdi" was a Liberty ship built in the United States during World War II. She was named after Frederick Bartholdi, French sculptor who is best known for designing "Liberty Enlightening the World", commonly known as the Statue of Liberty. "Frederick Bartholdi" was laid down on 29 August 1943, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1503, by J.A. Jones Construction, Brunswick, Georgia; sponsored by Mrs. O.H. Hall, and launched on 9 November 1943. She was allocated to the West India Steamship Company, on 11 November 1943. On 24 December 1943, she ran aground off
Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi memorial of Jean Rapp, a Napoleonic General. In 1855 and 1856 Bartholdi traveled in Yemen and Egypt with travel companions such as Jean-Léon Gérôme and other "orientalist" painters. The trip sparked Bartholdi's interest in colossal sculpture. In 1869, Bartholdi returned to Egypt to propose a new lighthouse to be built at the entrance of the Suez Canal, which was newly completed. The lighthouse, which was to be called "Egypt Carrying the Light to Asia" and shaped as a massive draped figure holding a torch, was not commissioned. Both the khedive and Lessups declined the proposed statue from Bartholdi, citing the