US Navy Auxiliary Ships: Pontiac (AF-20)

USS Pontiac (AF-20) on 16 March 1944.
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Class:        PONTIAC (AF-20)
Design:        Refrig. Cargo, 1937
Displacement (tons):        3,081 light, 5,410 full load
Dimensions (feet):        354.2' oa x 47.0' x 20.4'
Original Armament:        2-3"/50 4-20mm (1942)
Later armaments:        --
Complement:        117 (1944)
Speed (kts):        15.5
Propulsion (HP):        4,300
Machinery:        Burmeister & Wain diesel, 1 screw

Construction:

AF	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
20	PONTIAC	11 May 42	Nakskov SY	--	1937	12 May 42

Disposition:

AF	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
20	PONTIAC	20 May 45	2 Jun 45	20 May 45	MC/D	10 May 48

Class Notes:
FY 1942. A larger Danish reefer taken over for operation by the Maritime Commission (WSA) in 1941. In December 1941 the Navy commenced negotiations with the Maritime Commission (WSA) for the time chartering of this ship, which received a hull number and a Navy name (her mercantile one, retained) on 27 Dec 41. The Navy planned to operate her initially as a civilian-manned "U. S. Naval Store Ship," but WSA soon allocated her to the Navy under bareboat charter. On 14 Feb 42 the Director of the Naval Transportation Service, acting for CNO, directed the bureaus to take her over and provide a Navy crew. Her conversion (begun by the Maritime Commission) lasted from 10 February to 11 May 1942.

PONTIAC sank in 40' of water on the Newfoundland coast after being holed by a loose paravane during a storm and, although refloated on 18 February, was considered not worth repairing because of her long submergence. A Navy memo dated 13 Apr 45 stated she was a constructive total loss.

Ship Notes:

AF	Name	Notes
20	PONTIAC	Ex merc. PONTIAC, ex Danish AUSTRALIAN REEFER. Converted by the Arthur Tickle Engineering Works, Brooklyn, NY. Sank off McNab Island near Halifax 30 Jan 45, raised 18 Feb 45. To buyer 17 May 48, scrapped by 13 Sep 48.