US Navy Auxiliary Ships: Chourre (ARV-1) Class

USS Chourre (ARV-1) on 11 August 1945
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        CHOURRE (ARV-1)
Design:        MC EC2-S-C1
Displacement (tons):        6,225 light, 10,950 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        441.5' oa, 416.0' pp x 56.9' e x 22.0' lim.
Original Armament:        1-5"/38 1-40mmQ 2-40mmT 14-20mm (1945: both)
Later armaments:        1-5"/38 1-40mmQ 4-40mmT 6-20mmT 8>6-20mmS (1945-47: ARV-2); 1-5"/38 1-40mmQ 2-40mmT 10-20mmT (1952-55: ARV-1)
Complement:        --
Speed (kts.):        12.5
Propulsion (HP):        2,500
Machinery:        Vertical triple expansion, 1 screw

Construction:

ARV	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
1	CHOURRE	31 May 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	20 Apr 44	22 May 44	7 Dec 44
2	WEBSTER	26 Aug 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	1 Jul 44	5 Aug 44	17 Mar 45

Disposition:

ARV	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
1	CHOURRE	13 Sep 55	1 Sep 62	1 Sep 62	MA	5 Feb 71
2	WEBSTER	28 Jun 46	1 Sep 62	1 Sep 62	MA	--

Class Notes:
FY 1944. On 12 Dec 36 CNO informed SecNav that the auxiliary building program included certain types of ships for which no approved characteristics existed and asked that the General Board be directed to recommend characteristics. The types were Aircraft Repair Ships (ARV), Stores Issue Ships (AK, later AKI), and Special Survey Ships (AG). SecNav referred the matter to the General Board the same day. On 8 Feb 37 the General Board noted that the recommendations it had received for the ARV differed significantly concerning the purpose of the vessel: the Bureau of Aeronautics wanted it to be a repair ship for battleship and cruiser planes only (patrol and carrier planes being supported by tenders or ashore) while others wanted varying amounts of support for patrol planes (VP) as well. On 24 Feb 37 CNO informed SecNav that the need for recommendations on stores issue ships and aircraft repair ships was not urgent since ships of these types were not included in the proposed auxiliary building program (which may have been updated in the interim), and on the same date CNO approved suspension of work on characteristics for new construction ships of these types. As part of the Navy's mobilization planning the Bureau of Construction and Repair on 13 Jun 38 circulated to other Bureaus preliminary plans for the conversion of the EFC Design 1133 freighter GOLDEN HIND (ID-4490A), a sister to MEIGS (AK-34, q.v.), to an Airplane Repair Ship (XARV) for all types of aircraft in the event of national emergency, but by mid-August work on this project had also been suspended.

On 11 Jun 43, as part of a major review of auxiliary ship requirements, the Auxiliary Vessels Board stated that, with the great numbers of ships of all types in the various and extended operating areas, it considered that additional repair ships were essential at the earliest practicable date, and that in planning an auxiliary vessel conversion program for 1944 and 1945 the conversion of LSTs and EC2 ships to repair ships was the most expeditious and economical method of meeting maintenance needs. It noted that these converted ships could relieve to a great extent the installation of shore-based repair facilities in the forward operating areas. As part of this effort, it directed that a program of 12 EC2 ship conversions to internal combustion engine repair ships, six in 1944 and six in 1945, similar to those already being converted, be undertaken. The twelve ships were designated ARG 4-15.

On 25 Aug 43 CominCh ordered that the last two of these, ARG 14-15, be converted instead to aircraft repair ships. The ships were to be equipped to overhaul aircraft engines and perform structural repairs on airframes. They were reclassified ARV 1-2 in February 1944 and given new names in March. On 7 Mar 44 ComAirPac made specific recommendations regarding shop facilities and personnel accommodations for these ships. Later requirements for aircraft repair ships were met by conversions of LSTs to ARVE 3-4 and ARVA 5-6, q.v.

Ship Notes:

ARV	Name	MCE	Notes
1	CHOURRE	2637	Ex USS DUMARAN 30 Mar 44, ex ARG-14 22 Feb 44. Delivered 79.9% complete. Converted by Bethlehem Steel, Key Highway, Baltimore, Md. In USN reserve 1946-52 (decommissioned 13 Sep 46, recommissioned 21 Feb 52) and 1955-60. To NDRF 31 Oct 60, to buyer 16 Mar 71.
2	WEBSTER	2666	Ex USS MASBATE 30 Mar 44, ex ARG-15 22 Feb 44. Delivered 79.9% complete. Converted by Bethlehem Steel, Key Highway, Baltimore, Md. In USN reserve 1946-61. To NDRF 13 Sep 61. To Virginia for use as fish reef 25 Mar 74, delivered by MA 16 May 74, sunk 28 Aug 74.