[Lou L]

It was a dry cargo and ammunition ship, not a combat vessel.

While this is true, surely this ship has provisions to carry .50 caliber machine gun mounts -- and they should have some small arms aboard.

[The Iguana]

They no doubt do have arms aboard - but probably have standing orders to evade rather than engage.

I'm curious why it had no combat escort.

[NavyCanDo]

When I was in the Navy in the 70s and early 80s the dry cargo, ammunition ships that pulled along side, were owned by the Navy BUT the crews were civilian. I believe it is still that way.