US Navy Auxiliary Ships: HMS Assistance (AR-17) Class

HMS Assistance (AR-17) on 3 February 1945
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        HMS ASSISTANCE (AR-17)
Design:        MC EC2-S-C1
Displacement (tons):        5,801 light, 10,920 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        441.5' oa, 416.0' pp x 56.9' e x 22.0' lim.
Original Armament:        1-5"/38 3-3"/50 2-40mmT 12-20mm (1945: all)
Later armaments:        1-5"/38 3-3"/50 2-40mmT 8>4-20mmT (1951-56: AR 19-21)
Complement:        --
Speed (kts.):        12.5
Propulsion (HP):        2,500
Machinery:        Hooven, Owens, Rentschler Co. vertical triple expansion, 1 screw

Construction:

AR	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
17	(ASSISTANCE)	28 Jun 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	17 May 44	20 Jun 44	(No)
18	(DILIGENCE)	20 Jul 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	7 Jun 44	8 Jul 44	(No)
19	XANTHUS	16 Aug 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	27 Jun 44	31 Jul 44	9 May 45
20	LAERTES	28 Sep 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	7 Aug 44	13 Sep 44	24 Mar 45
21	DIONYSUS	25 Oct 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	4 Sep 44	10 Oct 44	28 Apr 45

Disposition:

AR	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
17	(ASSISTANCE)	--	13 Dec 46	20 Jan 45	Trf.	23 Jan 74
18	(DILIGENCE)	--	10 Feb 49	3 Mar 45	Trf.	19 Mar 73
19	XANTHUS	26 Feb 47	1 Sep 62	1 Sep 62	MA	15 Jul 74
20	LAERTES	26 Feb 54	1 Sep 62	1 Sep 62	MA	10 Jul 72
21	DIONYSUS	1 Jul 55	1 Sep 61	1 Sep 62	MA	--

Class Notes:
FY 1944. On 26 Feb 44 CNO directed the acquistion of these ships in response to a British requirement for Heavy Duty Fleet Repair Ships. Initially all five were to have been transferred to Britain under Lend Lease, and the British assigned names to all five, but the last three were reallocated to the USN before completion. Liberty hulls already under construction for allocation to the U.K. were selected for the conversions. The hull alterations and armament were based on the ARG type. In a preliminary planning meeting on 3 February 1944, an effort was made to use the plans of TUTUILA (ARG-4), but it soon became apparent that the characteristics desired by the British differed in so many details that entirely new internal arrangement plans would be needed. AR-19, the only unit not converted at Baltimore, was modified at East Boston, Mass. where she was towed in late August 1944; her commissioning was delayed by the late delivery of a diesel generator auxiliary power switchboard.

Ship Notes:

AR	Name	MCE	Notes
17	(ASSISTANCE)	2649	Delivered 79.9% complete. Converted by Maryland DD, Baltimore, Md. Trf. (Lend-Lease) to Britain. Arrived at Norfolk 30 Jul 46, decommissioned by the U.K. and returned to U.S. custody 15 Aug 46, to MC 7 Feb 47. To buyer 1 Mar 74.
18	(DILIGENCE)	2658	Delivered 79.9% complete. Converted by Maryland DD, Baltimore, Md. Trf. (Lend-Lease) to Britain. Returned to U.S. custody 29 Jan 46 at Subic Bay, stk. 20 Mar 46, reinst. 30 Apr 48, to MC 4 Jan 49. To buyer 21 May 73.
19	XANTHUS	2664	Delivered 79.9% complete. Ex HMS HECLA 6 Dec 44. In service for ferrying under tow ca. 16 Aug to 24 Aug 44. Converted by Bethlehem Simpson Yard, East Boston, Mass. In USN reserve 1947-61 (in service in reserve from 26 Feb 47 as a reserve fleet accommodation ship at Norfolk). To NDRF 11 Jan 61, to buyer 15 Aug 74.
20	LAERTES	2674	Delivered 79.9% complete. Ex HMS DUTIFUL 6 Dec 44, ex HMS RELIANCE. Converted by Maryland DD, Baltimore, Md. In USN reserve 1946-51 (decommissioned 15 Jan 47, recommissioned 19 Dec 51) and 1953-61. To NDRF 22 Aug 61, to buyer 8 Sep 72.
21	DIONYSUS	2681	Delivered 79.9% complete. Ex HMS FAITHFUL 6 Dec 44. Converted by Maryland DD, Baltimore, Md. In USN reserve 1946-51 (decommissioned 31 Jan 47, recommissioned 13 Feb 52) and 1955-60 (decommissioned 1 Jul 55). To NDRF 28 Dec 60. Delivered by MA to North Carolina 31 May 78 for use as a fish reef.