US Navy Auxiliary Ships: Cygnus (AF-23)

The future USS Cygnus (AF-23) on 7 August 1942.
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Class:        CYGNUS (AF-23)
Design:        Refrig. Cargo, 1924
Displacement (tons):        4,233 light, 7,171 full load
Dimensions (feet):        336.25' oa, 325.0' wl x 48.0' e x 23.75' full
Original Armament:        1-4"/50 1-3"/50 6-20mm (1942)
Later armaments:        2-3"/50 6-20mm (1945)
Complement:        102 (1944)
Speed (kts):        11.7
Propulsion (HP):        2,500
Machinery:        Cammell-Laird vertical triple expansion, 1 screw

Construction:

AF	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
23	CYGNUS	11 Aug 42	Cammell Laird	--	1925	11 Aug 42

Disposition:

AF	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
23	CYGNUS	15 Jul 46	31 Jul 46	18 Jul 46	RTO	--

Class Notes:
FY 1942. One of a class of three United Fruit freighters ordered in 1922, said to be the first ocean-going ships with diesel-electric propulsion. Because of troubles with her two sisters, LA PERLA (the future CYGNUS) was delivered with triple expansion engines. One sister, LA MAREA (renamed DARIEN when she was reengined and lengthened in 1929), served in World War II as a civilian-manned WSA supply ship, the other, LA PLAYA, remained in merchant service. On 9 Jul 42 CNO directed the acquisition of "three AKs with approximately 100,000 cubic feed of refrigerator space and 26,000 cubic feed of general cargo space" which were required for urgent use in the South Pacific Area by 1 Oct 42. The Auxiliary Vessels Board endorsed this action on 21 Jul 42, and the ships became AF 23-25. CYGNUS began conversion on 6 Aug 42, a few days before her official acquisition.

Ship Notes:

AF	Name	Notes
23	CYGNUS	Ex merc. LA PERLA. Converted by Bethlehem Steel, Alameda, Cal. Merc. LA PERLA 1946. Out of service 1970 as FRIGO ASIA.