US Navy Auxiliary Ships: Otus (AS-20)

USS Otus (AS-20) on 24 August 1942
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Class:        OTUS (AS-20)
Design:        MC C1-B
Displacement (tons):        5,775 light, 9,225 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        417.75' oa x 60.0' e x 20.5' lim.
Original Armament:        1-5"/51 2-3"/50 (1941)
Later armaments:        1-5"/51 2-3"/50 4-20mm (1942);
1-5"/38 4-3"/50 12-20mm (1943); 1-5"/38 4-3"/50 3-40mm 12<14-20mm (1944-45); 1-5"/38 4-3"/50 4-40mm 12-20mm (1945)
Complement:        510 (1944)
Speed (kts.):        14.7
Propulsion (HP):        4,000
Machinery:        De Laval turbine, 1 screw

Construction:

AS	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
20	OTUS	1 Mar 41	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	3 Jun 40	2 Nov 40	19 Mar 41

Disposition:

AS	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
20	OTUS	20 Aug 46	25 Sep 46	21 Aug 46	MC	2 Nov 70

Class Notes:
FY 1941. Acquisition of a ship to serve as a submarine tender for the Asiatic Fleet was directed in November 1940 and in January 1941 the FRED MORRIS, a modern freighter already operating in the area, was selected. This ship was acquired from the Lykes Lines and partially converted at the Cavite Navy Yard, Manila, 1 Mar 41 to 1 Sep 41. She narrowly avoided destruction in the Japanese bombing of Cavite on 10 Dec 41. Her conversion was completed at Mare Is. 24 Aug 42 to 23 Jan 43.

On 13 Apr 45 CINCPAC told CNO that OTUS had been employed as a MTB tender in the 7th Fleet for the past two years and was expected to continue in this duty. CINCPAC therefore recommended that she be reclassified as an AGP. CNO replied on 3 May 45 that she would be designated AGP-21. However on 13 May CINCPAC recommended that this reclassification be reconsidered, because OTUS had been used for the past two months as an ARG and was most satisfactory in this role. CNO replied on 18 May 45 that she would be designated ARG-20 and noted that no conversion would be required prior to the next regular Navy Yard overhaul. CNO promulgated the reclassification on 31 May 45, effective 25 Jun 45.

Ship Notes:

AS	Name	MC#	Notes
20	OTUS	70	Ex merc. FRED MORRIS (completed 27 Dec 40). To ARG-20 25 Jun 45. To NDRF Olympia 21 Aug 46 as OTUS. To buyer 10 Nov 70.