US Navy Auxiliary Ships: Dorothea L. Dix (AP-67) Class

USS Dorothea L. Dix (AP-67) circa late 1942
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Class:        DOROTHEA L. DIX (AP-67)
Design:        MC C3-E
Displacement (tons):        5,933 light, 12,580 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        473.0' oa, 450.0' pp x 66.0' e x 24.0' lim.
Original Armament:        1-4"/50 4-20mm (1942)
Later armaments:        1-4"/50 8-20mm (1942);
4-3"/50 2-40mmT 12-20mm (1943)
Complement:        --
Speed (kts.):        17.5
Propulsion (HP):        8,000
Machinery:        Bethlehem turbine, 1 screw

Construction:

AP	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
67	DOROTHEA L. DIX	13 Sep 42	Bethlehem Steel, Quincy	11 Nov 39	22 Jun 40	17 Sep 42

Disposition:

AP	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
67	DOROTHEA L. DIX	24 Apr 46	8 May 46	24 Apr 46	RTO	--

Class Notes:
FY 1943. This ship was used by the British in 1941-42 under the name EMPIRE WIDGEON. Her 4"/50 gun was installed in May 1942 following her return by the British. On 1 Aug 42 CominCh directed that arrangements be made immediately for the partial conversion and the manning by Navy crews of ten vessels, which he specified by name and which became AP 42-43 and 66-73, that were scheduled for use in connection with "prospective movements overseas of U. S. troops." (the North Africa landings). EXEMPLAR was one of seven ships on the list that were owned or chartered by WSA. On 3 Aug 42 the Auxiliary Vessels Board directed acquisition of these ships from WSA and that, when acquired, they be Navy manned and converted to modified combat loaded transports. Specifically, it recommended that provision be made for carrying the maximum number of landing boats and tank lighters, including adequate fuel stowage for them, along with the accomplishment of such other conversion features as may be applicable on a not-to-delay basis. The Board noted that the program was an urgent one--the conversions were to be completed within 30 days of the arrival of the ships at the conversion yards or as soon thereafter as possible. Her conversion instructions called for stowage for 16 landing boats and 4 tank lighters. She had two Welin davits and carried most of her boats on deck.

EXEMPLAR, which became USS DOROTHEA L. DIX (AP-67), was one of four WSA ships (AP-67 and 69-71) whose conversion was to be accomplished by and paid for by the Army. Navy personnel were to have full access to the ships while undergoing conversion, but the Board recommended that, to avoid legal complications, they not be acquired and commissioned in the Navy until the major conversion features were complete. The Army took custody of the ship from the MC on 14 Aug 42.

Ship Notes:

AP	Name	MC#	Notes
67	DOROTHEA L. DIX	102	Ex merc. EXEMPLAR (to UK as EMPIRE WIDGEON 19 Apr 41, returned 17 Apr 42). Converted for Army by Bethlehem Steel, Hoboken, N.J. 17 Aug 42-23 Sep 42. Merc. EXEMPLAR 1946. Scrapped 1968.