The “Am-Mer-Mar” was an American Liberty ship of the type EC2-S-C1. The Liberty ships type EC2 were designed during the 2nd World War in response to the threat of Allied commercial navigation between the United States and allied nations in Europe by German submarines. It became clear that the war in Europe was just to win, when the replenishment deliveries were maintained from North America. This was only possible if cargo ships could be built faster than they could be sunk by German submarines. Therefore, the United States Maritime Commission designed the Emergency Construction 2 (EC2) a unit freighter, which was built in large numbers through standardized and modular design of the US shipbuilding industry in a very short construction time and cost. Such a ship was created in the middle in just 70 days of construction and cost less than US $ 2 million. The draft EC2 was later nicknamed Liberty ship, as it contributed significantly to the victory against Germany and thus to the liberation of Europe. 2710 copies of this type were completed during the war. Many of them also drove after the end of WW2.

So the “On-Mer-Mar”, whose unusual name was an abbreviation of American Merchant Marine. It was commissioned by the United States WarShipping Administration (WSA), headquartered in Washington DC built under the EMC number 2808th The keel was laid on August 3, 1944 at the Delta Shipbuilding Company in New Orleans with the hull number 134. The electrically welded hull was already on 14 September 1944 from the pile and was delivered after a total construction period of 83 days on 25 October 1944th During the war, which was operated “on-Mer-Mar” from the United States Army Transportation Service. Your discrimination signal was KSQX. On December 27, 1946, she was under the command of Captain William Cox from her homeport New Orleans to Larvik go. She had 9100 tons of soybeans loaded. Due to a faulty navigation of inexperienced 3. helmsman, who had only a 90-day training in wartime, the ship ran at 22:00 clock at Oddskjærene aground and was stuck. An attempt to return freizubekommen the ship through full speed again was unsuccessful. After all, an emergency call has been discontinued and requested immediate assistance. The lying in Lillesand salvage vessel “Ula” was alarmed and immediately ran out with westerly course. From Skjernoy from the lifeboat “Anita Paulsson” made together with three fishing boats on the way and arrived at around 1:15 clock at the crash site. They took on the 38-man crew, of which no one was hurt. The wreck of the “An-Mer-Mar” remained for a while are high on the reef despite strong waves and rough seas. In the next few days, it was possible to recover even 900 tons of soybeans from the charge and bring to Mandal to safety. On January 1, however, raged a terrible storm Southwest. He tore the wreck from the reef, and drove it away. It turned around 180 degrees and drove in Oddsundet south of Sandøy against country. The wreck sank initially ahead with the bow, while the stern and the aft mast still stuck out of the water.

The wreck of the “An-Mer-Mar” was finally sold to the salvage company Stavanger Skipsopphuggings Co. Brothers Anda. They broke the stern section almost completely. The central nave and the bow section remained largely intact, however, as they were for another deep salvage work. Nevertheless, the wreck is officially terminated as complete. The still quite impressive remains lie at a depth 12 to 25 m on a light sandy soil. The nave has experienced strong destructions, but still offers plenty of opportunities to browse. The most impressive part is the bug which has retained its shape despite the partially weggerosteten bulwark and gives an idea of ​​the size of the former vessel. In the right light, the bow offers a spectacular photo opportunity.