A Liberty ship was a World War II EC2 type cargo ship designed for the emergency ship building program. Over 2,700 of these ships were built. Pre-fabricated sections were made throughout the country and then welded together. Nine thousand tons of cargo could be stowed in the ship’s holds plus military hardware that could be strapped to the deck. Liberty ships were named for prominent, deceased Americans with the initial ships being named after signatories of the Declaration of Independence. Later, ship names could be suggested by any group that raised $2 million in war bonds.

Pierre Samuel du Pont (1870-1954) was the great grandson of E.I. du Pont (1771-1834), founder of E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, and that company played a major role in P.S. du Pont's life. He is most well-known for developing the preeminent botanical gardens, Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.