These  sixty 'Ocean' class vessels were built to the original 'Empire Liberty' design which was in essence the first 'North Sands' ship.  Thirty of the vessels were built on the West Coast at Richmond, California and thirty on the East coast at South Portland, Maine.  All of these 'Ocean' vessels were paid for and owned by the British Government.  When the U.S.A. joined the war, no further ships were ordered directly by the British Government from the U.S.A. but were dealt with under the Lease-Lend Act.
The 'Ocean' vessels differed from the Canadian 'Forts' and 'Parks' in that they were of a welded construction.  Welding saved weight due to the elimination of plate overlaps and rivets.  Another advantage was minimal surface friction, bringing economies in fuel consumption.  However, a significant disadvantage was that a number of these welded ships developed major fractures.
The plans for the main engines originated from a design by the British company of North Eastern Marine Engineering Company Limited.  The main engine contract was awarded to the General Machinery Corporation of Ohio but not all of the sixty sets went to the 'Ocean' ships as some were interchanged with the US Maritime Commission's Canadian- built 'Fort' ships. The same engine was used in the 'Liberty' ships.

The measurements of the 'Ocean' type ships was registered at 441.5' x 57'. Gross tonnage was 7,174 and deadweight was 10,500 tons.  Speed was 11 knots.