USS Crater (AK-70) Class

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USS Crater (AK-70) on 2 November 1942.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        CRATER (AK-70)
Design:        MC EC2-S-C1 ("Liberty Ship")
Displacement (tons):        4,023 light, 14,550 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        441.5' oa, 416.0' wl x 56.9' e x 28.3' lim
Original Armament:        1-5"/38 1-3"/50 8-20mm (1942-44: standard)
Later armaments:        1-5"/38, 4-40mmS, 12-20mm (1944, troopers and Seventh Fleet cargo ships)
1-5"/38 1-3"/50 2-40mmS 6-20mmS (1945: standard)
For numerous non-standard variations see the class notes.
Complement:        133 (1944)
Speed (kts.):        12.5
Propulsion (HP):        2,500
Machinery:        Vertical triple expansion, 1 screw

Construction:

AK	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
70	CRATER	22 Oct 42	Permanente Metals #2	28 Aug 42	8 Oct 42	31 Oct 42
71	ADHARA	6 Nov 42	Permanente Metals #2	16 Sep 42	27 Oct 42	16 Nov 42
72	ALUDRA	14 Dec 42	Permanente Metals #2	28 Oct 42	7 Dec 42	26 Dec 42
73	ARIDED	12 Nov 42	Permanente Metals #1	20 Sep 42	28 Oct 42	23 Nov 42
74	CARINA	20 Nov 42	Permanente Metals #1	30 Sep 42	6 Nov 42	1 Dec 42
75	CASSIOPEIA	27 Nov 42	Permanente Metals #1	13 Oct 42	15 Nov 42	8 Dec 42
76	CELENO	19 Dec 42	Permanente Metals #2	3 Nov 42	12 Dec 42	2 Jan 43
77	CETUS	4 Jan 43	Permanente Metals #2	21 Nov 42	26 Dec 42	17 Jan 43
78	DEIMOS	13 Jan 43	Permanente Metals #1	27 Nov 42	28 Dec 42	23 Jan 43
79	DRACO	31 Jan 43	Permanente Metals #2	15 Dec 42	19 Jan 43	16 Feb 43
90	ALBIREO	9 Mar 43	Permanente Metals #1	17 Jan 43	25 Feb 43	29 Mar 43
91	COR CAROLI	31 Mar 43	Permanente Metals #2	20 Feb 43	19 Mar 43	16 Apr 43
92	ERIDANUS	22 Apr 43	Permanente Metals #2	12 Mar 43	9 Apr 43	8 May 43
93	ETAMIN	8 May 43	Permanente Metals #2	28 Mar 43	25 Apr 43	25 May 43
94	MINTAKA	26 Mar 43	California SB	9 Feb 43	10 Mar 43	10 May 43
95	MURZIM	8 Apr 43	California SB	10 Jul 42	17 Aug 42	14 May 43
96	STEROPE	27 Mar 43	Oregon SB	9 Dec 41	22 Feb 42	14 May 43
97	SERPENS	19 Apr 43	California SB	10 Mar 43	5 Apr 43	28 May 43
99	BOOTES	29 May 43	California SB	24 Apr 43	16 May 43	15 Jul 43
100	LYNX	30 May 43	California SB	26 Apr 43	18 May 43	26 Jul 43
101	LYRA	10 Jun 43	Permanente Metals #1	25 Apr 43	24 May 43	22 Jul 43
102	TRIANGULUM	19 Jun 43	California SB	14 May 43	6 Jun 43	30 Jul 43
103	SCULPTOR	22 Jun 43	California SB	18 May 43	10 Jun 43	10 Aug 43
104	GANYMEDE	23 Jun 43	Permanente Metals #2	16 May 43	8 Jun 43	31 Jul 43
105	NAOS	15 Jul 43	California SB	8 Jun 43	30 Jun 43	17 Aug 43
106	CAELUM	10 Aug 43	California SB	30 Jun 43	25 Jul 43	22 Oct 43
107	HYPERION	10 Jul 43	Permanente Metals #1	28 May 43	24 Jun 43	25 Aug 43
108	ROTANIN	6 Sep 43	California SB	25 Jul 43	18 Aug 43	23 Nov 43
109	ALLIOTH	3 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #2	30 Jul 43	20 Aug 43	25 Oct 43
110	ALKES	5 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #2	10 Jun 43	29 Jun 43	29 Oct 43
111	GIANSAR	5 Oct 43	Oregon SB	27 Dec 42	19 Jan 43	29 Oct 43
112	GRUMIUM	5 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #2	12 Nov 42	20 Dec 42	20 Oct 43
113	RUTILICUS	9 Oct 43	California SB	2 Apr 43	26 Apr 43	30 Oct 43
114	ALKAID	19 Nov 43	St. John's River SB	13 Sep 43	8 Nov 43	27 Mar 44
115	CRUX	27 Nov 43	St. John's River SB	27 Sep 43	16 Nov 43	17 Mar 44
116	ALDERAMIN	25 Nov 43	Todd Houston SB	5 Oct 43	13 Nov 43	3 Apr 44
117	ZAURAK	27 Nov 43	Todd Houston SB	7 Oct 43	18 Nov 43	17 Mar 44
118	SHAULA	4 Dec 43	St. John's River SB	4 Oct 43	23 Nov 43	5 May 44
119	MATAR	10 Dec 43	St. John's River SB	16 Oct 43	30 Nov 43	17 May 44
121	SABIK	29 Dec 43	Todd Houston SB	8 Nov 43	17 Dec 43	19 Apr 44
123	MENKAR	17 Jan 44	St. John's River SB	17 Nov 43	31 Dec 43	2 Jun 44
124	AZIMECH	7 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #2	21 Jul 43	11 Aug 43	29 Oct 43
125	LESUTH	9 Oct 43	California SB	24 Mar 43	17 Apr 43	1 Nov 43
126	MEGREZ	7 Oct 43	California SB	31 Mar 43	23 Apr 43	26 Oct 43
127	ALNITAH	8 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #2	10 Dec 42	14 Jan 43	27 Nov 43
128	LEONIS	10 Oct 43	Permanente Metals #1	21 Nov 42	22 Dec 42	25 Oct 43
129	PHOBOS	12 Jun 44	Todd Houston SB	25 Sep 43	6 Nov 43	12 Jun 44
130	ARKAB	21 Feb 44	Delta SB	4 Dec 43	22 Jan 44	15 May 44
131	MELUCTA	31 Mar 44	St. John's River SB	21 Jan 44	20 Mar 44	22 Jul 44
132	PROPUS	10 Apr 44	St. John's River SB	31 Jan 44	29 Mar 44	22 Jun 44
133	SEGINUS	12 Apr 44	Delta SB	10 Jan 44	4 Mar 44	14 Jun 44
134	SYRMA	20 Mar 44	Delta SB	10 Jan 44	19 Feb 44	3 Aug 44
135	VENUS	6 Nov 43	Permanente Metals #2	5 Jul 42	21 Aug 42	26 Sep 44
136	ARA	3 Dec 43	California SB	17 Jul 41	14 Jan 42	4 Jan 44
137	ASCELLA	30 Nov 43	California SB	7 Jan 43	4 Feb 43	7 Jan 44
138	CHELEB	3 Dec 43	Permanente Metals #1	29 Dec 42	29 Jan 43	1 Jan 44
139	PAVO	29 Nov 43	Todd Houston SB	8 Mar 43	23 Apr 43	14 Jan 44
140	SITULA	2 Dec 43	Oregon SB	9 Jan 43	7 Feb 43	14 Jan 44
141	AK 141-155	--	--	--	--	--
225	ALLEGAN	7 Aug 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	21 Dec 43	21 Jan 44	24 Sep 44
226	APPANOOSE	10 Aug 44	Bethlehem-Fairfield SYs	20 Jun 44	27 Jul 44	26 Sep 44

Disposition:

AK	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
70	CRATER	24 Jun 46	23 Jun 47	26 Jun 47	MC/R	26 Aug 74
71	ADHARA	7 Dec 45	3 Jan 46	11 Dec 45	MC/R	26 Oct 71
72	ALUDRA	--	9 Jun 44	23 Jun 43	Lost	--
73	ARIDED	12 Jan 46	29 Sep 47	2 Oct 47	MC/R	7 Aug 62
74	CARINA	17 Oct 45	1 Nov 45	17 Oct 45	MC/D	11 Feb 52
75	CASSIOPEIA	21 Nov 45	5 Dec 45	21 Nov 45	MC/R	--
76	CELENO	1 Mar 46	20 Mar 46	1 Mar 46	MC/R	14 Mar 61
77	CETUS	20 Nov 45	5 Dec 45	21 Nov 45	MC/R	26 Oct 71
78	DEIMOS	--	9 Jun 44	23 Jun 43	Lost	--
79	DRACO	28 Nov 45	19 Dec 45	28 Nov 45	MC/D	7 Aug 47
90	ALBIREO	5 Jul 46	31 Jul 46	17 Jul 46	MC/D	18 Aug 47
91	COR CAROLI	30 Nov 45	19 Dec 45	2 Dec 45	MC/R	26 May 78
92	ERIDANUS	8 May 46	21 May 46	15 May 46	MC/D	14 Feb 47
93	ETAMIN	9 Jul 46	31 Jul 46	9 Jul 46	MC/D	2 Feb 48
94	MINTAKA	12 Feb 46	26 Feb 46	12 Feb 46	MC/R	6 Mar 68
95	MURZIM	7 Jun 46	23 Jun 47	5 Aug 47	MC/R	19 Mar 73
96	STEROPE	16 May 46	5 Dec 47	19 Nov 47	MC/R	11 Sep 63
97	SERPENS	--	10 Mar 45	29 Jan 45	Lost	--
99	BOOTES	22 Apr 46	1 Aug 47	11 Sep 47	MC/R	19 Mar 73
100	LYNX	1 Nov 45	16 Nov 45	1 Nov 45	MC/R	3 Oct 72
101	LYRA	3 May 46	21 May 46	8 May 46	MC/D	14 Feb 47
102	TRIANGULUM	16 Apr 46	17 Jul 47	2 Jul 47	MC/R	19 Mar 73
103	SCULPTOR	26 Feb 46	12 Mar 46	8 Mar 46	MC/D	18 Feb 47
104	GANYMEDE	15 Apr 46	1 Aug 47	1 Oct 47	MC/R	19 Mar 73
105	NAOS	6 Dec 45	3 Jan 46	6 Dec 45	MC/R	30 Jun 69
106	CAELUM	30 Jul 46	15 Aug 46	31 Jul 46	MC/R	19 Oct 61
107	HYPERION	16 Nov 45	28 Nov 45	17 Nov 45	MC/R	31 Jul 61
108	ROTANIN	5 Apr 46	17 Apr 46	5 Apr 46	MC/R	29 Apr 66
109	ALLIOTH	17 May 46	22 May 47	13 May 47	MC/R	27 Aug 64
110	ALKES	20 Feb 46	12 Mar 46	27 Feb 46	MC/R	26 Oct 71
111	GIANSAR	28 Nov 45	19 Dec 45	28 Nov 45	MC/R	31 Jul 61
112	GRUMIUM	20 Dec 45	8 Jan 46	27 Dec 45	MC/R	17 Apr 70
113	RUTILICUS	17 Dec 45	8 Jan 46	18 Dec 45	MC/R	26 Oct 71
114	ALKAID	11 Mar 46	28 Mar 46	11 Mar 46	MC/R	31 Mar 64
115	CRUX	31 Jan 46	25 Feb 46	31 Jan 46	MC/R	30 Nov 61
116	ALDERAMIN	10 Apr 46	1 May 46	10 Apr 46	MC/R	--
117	ZAURAK	12 Mar 46	28 Mar 46	12 Mar 46	MC/R	14 May 63
118	SHAULA	24 Jun 46	19 Jul 46	25 Jun 46	MC/D	24 Jul 47
119	MATAR	15 Mar 46	31 Oct 47	8 Oct 47	MC/R	13 Apr 71
121	SABIK	19 Mar 46	17 Apr 46	19 Mar 46	MC/R	19 Oct 61
123	MENKAR	15 Apr 46	1 May 46	15 Apr 46	MC/R	8 May 62
124	AZIMECH	11 Dec 45	3 Jan 46	14 Dec 45	MC/R	12 Sep 72
125	LESUTH	16 Aug 46	17 Jul 47	29 May 47	MC/R	31 Jul 64
126	MEGREZ	29 May 46	1 Aug 47	18 Sep 47	MC/R	13 Jun 74
127	ALNITAH	11 Mar 46	28 Mar 46	11 Mar 46	MC/R	3 Mar 61
128	LEONIS	5 Dec 45	19 Dec 45	9 Dec 45	MC/R	2 Nov 67
129	PHOBOS	22 Mar 46	17 Apr 46	17 Jan 47	MC/R	10 Feb 70
130	ARKAB	2 Jan 46	21 Jan 46	2 Jan 46	MC/R	21 Sep 71
131	MELUCTA	13 Dec 45	3 Jan 46	18 Dec 45	MC/R	24 Mar 70
132	PROPUS	20 Nov 45	5 Dec 45	21 Nov 45	MC/D	17 Mar 47
133	SEGINUS	13 Nov 45	28 Nov 45	13 Nov 45	MC/D	28 Feb 47
134	SYRMA	8 Jan 46	21 Jan 46	11 Jan 46	MC/D	7 Jan 48
135	VENUS	18 Apr 46	19 Feb 48	27 Feb 48	MC/R	18 Apr 61
136	ARA	26 Nov 45	5 Dec 45	26 Nov 45	MC/R	26 Oct 71
137	ASCELLA	13 Aug 46	22 May 47	28 May 47	MC/R	7 Jul 64
138	CHELEB	25 Jul 46	22 May 47	23 May 47	MC/R	27 Mar 78
139	PAVO	30 Nov 45	19 Dec 45	1 Dec 45	MC/R	26 Oct 71
140	SITULA	23 Apr 46	22 Jan 48	30 Dec 47	MC/R	14 Mar 61
141	AK 141-155	--	--	29 Feb 44	Canc.	--
225	ALLEGAN	15 Nov 45	28 Nov 45	18 Nov 45	MC/D	14 Nov 47
226	APPANOOSE	26 Nov 45	5 Dec 45	27 Nov 45	MC/D	14 Nov 47

Class Notes:
FY 1943 (AK 70-79, 90-97, 99-108), 1944 (others). Limiting displacement and draft were listed in 1945 as 12,350 tons at 24.5' for the ships then on the list fitted to carry troops: AK-76, 94, 105, 108, 114-119, 121, 123, 127, 129, along with the four converted to troopers by WSA and initially classified as AP 162-65 (q.v., later AK 221-224). AK-77 was listed as 14,250 tons at 27.75' while the others were listed as shown in the table. Crew size in 1944 ranged from 133 to 207, with 255 for AK 136-40. For one other Liberty ship that was briefly assigned an AK hull number see THOMAS JEFFERSON (AK-57). This class was selected in ten groups plus one group cancelled before ship selection.

AK 70-79: On 3 Oct 42 Cominch directed the Auxiliary Vessels Board to consider a dispatch of 2 Oct 42 from Commander, South Pacific Force urgently requesting that 10 Liberty (EC2) type ships be acquired, given a minimum conversion, and manned by Navy crews for use in the logistic support of forces in his area. The ships of the Cargo Command then providing this service were to be reassigned to offensive operations elsewhere and replacements were needed. On 10 Oct 42 the Board recommended that ten EC2 type hulls then building in the San Francisco area be acquired at the average rate of one every ten days to fulfill this requirement. In late November two LCM(3) tank lighters and four LCV landing boats were added to the standard fit of these and later ships of this type. These ships were to be assigned to ComSoPacFor. Two more LCM(3) were later added to the boat allowance in some ships.

AK 90-97: On 9 Jan 43 the Commandant, 12th Naval District (San Francisco area) urged that eight more ships of this type be acquired to meet the expanding need for additional cargo vessels. SecNav asked the Maritime Commission for the eight ships on 27 Feb 43. On 1 Mar 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended the acquisition of the ships beginning on 15 Mar 43 at a rate of one every ten days. The ships were to receive the same minimal conversion to accommodate Navy crews given the first ten ships but were to be given an additional 30-ton cargo boom and towing engines when available. The towing engines were for use in towing the large sectional drydock ABSD-1 due to lack of tugs and their unsuitability for heavy weather towing. Each AK was to tow one of the eight dock sections in May and June 1943. These ships were to be assigned to the Naval Transportation Service, primarily for the transportation of military cargo from the West Coast.

AK 99-108: On 19 Feb 43 ComSoPacFor urged that another ten EC2 type ships be acquired to provide for expected increases in transshipping requirements to advance bases as more advanced positions were seized. SecNav asked the Maritime Commission for the ten ships on 9 Mar 43. On 10 Mar 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended acquisition of the ships beginning around 1 Jun 43 at a rate of one every ten days and that they be converted along the lines of the first ten ships but with a 30-ton cargo boom. These ships were also to be assigned to the Naval Transportation Service

AK 114-123: On 7 Sep 43 Com-12 pointed out that additional specially equipped cargo carriers were necessary to support activities in the Pacific area and recommended the acquisition of ten more EC2 type ships for this purpose. On 20 Sep 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board agreed that the acquisition of additional ships of this type was essential to meet the demands for additional cargo vessels and for towing facilities in the Pacific area. It recommended that the ships be acquired beginning on 15 Oct 43 at a rate of two per month and that they be given a basic conversion similar to that of their predecessors plus extra heavy lift booms and a towing engine. On the same day CNO asked WSA for the ships, stating that the first 28 ships were proving to be invaluable cargo carriers for the Navy as their landing boats and special stevedoring gangs enabled them to discharge at advance bases in combat areas without transshipment. In addition about half of them were fitted with towing engines, alleviating to some extent the current critical shortage of seagoing tugs. He concluded that it was essential that the EC2 conversion program be made a continuous one. On 14 Mar 44 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended that two of these ships, AK-120 and AK-122, be converted instead to combined barracks-stores-distilling ships (AG) and they are listed here as part of the BASILAN (AG-68) class.

AK 109-113: On 16 Sep 43 CinCPac requested that 10 EC2 type freighters be converted and fitted with an additional heavy boom aft, cargo delivery boats, and accommodations for 56 Construction Battalion (SEABEE) personnel, to be ready at San Francisco by 1 Nov 43. He expressed a preference that the ships be Navy manned, although civilian manning of five of the ships would be acceptable. On 30 Sep 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended that five ships that were immediately available (i.e. in civilian service) be acquired from WSA and be manned by Navy crews, including boatmen and stevedore gangs. Towing engines were not to be fitted. It also recommended that the remaining five be taken under allocation with their civilian crews from a group of EC2 freighters that had been converted to carry 12 officers and 200 troop passengers. The WSA representative at this meeting stated that the ships would be allocated to the Navy, provided with heavy lift booms aft, fresh water storage, and stowage for two LCM(3)'s and four LCV's. In addition to the 10 cargo ships, CinCPac's request also included five Liberty ships to transport about 1,000 men each; it was decided that WSA would allocate and man five ships that it had already converted for this purpose.

AK 124-28: On 22 Sep 43 CinCPac recommended that all ten of the cargo vessels that he had requested on 16 Sep 43 [AVB-76] be Navy manned, and on 4 Oct 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended that the five ships it had previously recommended be civilian manned (all of which by this time had been selected by name) be manned by Navy crews including boatmen and stevedore gangs. They were to receive the same conversion as AK 109-113.

AK 129-34: During October 1943 CinCPac requested that 11 EC2s be acquired as early as practicable for use by Commander, Third Fleet as Navy-manned AK's with facilities for transporting about 1,000 troops on short hauls in order to relieve regular transports then being retained in the area for that purpose. On 30 Oct 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended, in view of the large number of conversions recently requested, that in addition to the ten EC2 hulls it had recommended on 20 Sep 43 [AVB-75] only six more be acquired. Of these sixteen vessels, which would be taken at a rate of about four per month beginning 10 Nov 43, the first eleven (AK 114-123 and 129) were to be converted to AK's without towing engines but with facilities for transporting about 1,000 troops on short hauls, while the remaining five (AK 130-134) were to be converted to standard Navy cargo ships with towing engines. The ship selected for conversion to AK-129 differed from the others in that she was already being converted to a WSA troopship; CNO noted that the WSA conversion differed materially from the Navy conversion and decided that WSA should continue the work under its present contract, modifying her only as practicable to agree with the Navy conversion then being given AK-117 and AK-121 at the same yard.

AK 135: On 11 Oct 43 Commander Seventh Fleet requested authority to acquire the damaged Liberty ship WILLIAM WILLIAMS and effect repairs in the Australian area. Subsequent investigation disclosed that only structural damage in the two after holds had been suffered, with no basic machinery derangement. The War Shipping Administration agreed on 20 Oct 43 and on 22 Oct 43 CNO authorized Com7thFleet to take over the ship. On 23 Nov 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended approving this arrangement.

AK 136-40: During November 1943 WSA agreed to supply five C-type cargo vessels for use as troop transports in place of five (AK 120-123 and 129) of the 11 Liberty ships to be provided to Com3rdFleet to carry troops. (These C2's became AP 166-170, q.v., but the Liberties were still fitted to carry troops.) On 15 Nov 43 CinCPac reaffirmed previous requests for ten cargo ships to be Navy-manned, with five being converted to AP's and five to AK's, while stipulating that their acquisition should not interfere with the current conversions of AK 114-123 and 129. WSA offered to supply five more C-type vessels for the AP's (see AP 171-175), and on 23 Nov 43 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended that five more Liberty ships be acquired for conversion to cargo ships. They were to be converted similarly to AK 109-113 but with towing engines.

AK 141-55: On 15 Nov 43 the War Department asked the Navy to provide crews for 15 EC2 cargo ships for use in Service Force, Southwest Pacific in combat and forward areas. Conversion was to be kept to a minimum and landing craft would not be required. These were in addition to AK-93, 99, 102, and 104 which were temporarily assigned to this use and AK-135 which was to be permanently assigned to Com7thFleet upon completion of repairs. These 15 ships would release 15 WSA vessels allocated to the Army that were then retained in that area. On 23 Nov 43 the Board noted that this requirement could not be met for some time because of the conversion work then underway and planned but recommended that the 15 ships be acquired as conversion facilities became available. CNO asked WSA for the ships on 2 Dec 43, noting that conversion facilities could be made available at the Bethlehem Key Highway plant at Baltimore for six ships in January and February 1944 and recommending that ships under construction at the nearby Bethlehem Fairfield yard be allocated. On 24 Dec 43 he asked that two ships building at the J.A. Jones yard at Panama City, Florida, be allocated for conversion at the Key West Naval Station. BuShips began preparing for these conversions, but WSA objected to them and BuShips was advised on 9 Feb 44 that the entire program had been deferred pending an updated request from the theater commander and a ruling by JCS. On 20 Feb 44 the Supreme Commander in the Southwest Pacific radioed that his requirement for Navy manned vessels had been met for the present by the assignment of the five Navy-manned Liberty ships and the prospective assignment of 25 Navy-manned C1-M-AV1 type vessels of the new AK-156 class, and he therefore withdrew his request of 15 November for the 15 EC2's. CNO cancelled his request to WSA on 28 Feb 44 and advised BuShips on 29 Feb 44 that the conversions would be cancelled by the Auxiliary Vessels Board at its next meeting. The Board duly took this action on 14 Mar 44.

AK 225-26: On 12 Jul 44 CinCPOA informed CNO of an urgent need for two AK's with facilities for accommodating Construction Battalion personnel (2 officers and 35 enlisted men) to assemble the pontoon docks to be carried by these vessels. CinCPOA had no AK's that could be made available for this conversion, and all suitable Naval Transportation Service AK's not assigned to the operational control of the operating forces were equipped with towing engines and were needed for projected towing operations in the Pacific. On 19 Jul 44 the Board recommended that two EC2 type ships, preferably under construction, be acquired and converted to AK's with additional facilities to provide for pontoon assembly detachments. The ships would need to be ready by 1 Oct 43. WSA offered two ships already in service that had suffered damage; the Navy accepted VAN LEAR BLACK but rejected ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL and obtained the assignment of a new hull instead. The conversion was to be similar to that of AK 130-134 except that the LCM(3) tank landing craft and the towing engine were to be omitted. AK-225 and AK-226 loaded their first cargoes of pontoons and pontoon gear at Davisville, Rhode Island, in October 1944 shortly after entering service. In November 1944 the Fleet Maintenance Office of Commander Service Force Pacific Fleet noted that the material necessary for the installation on outrigger platforms for pontoon assembly had been furnished to AK-225 and AK-226 and authorized both vessels to proceed with the fabrication and installation of the necessary parts. The ships were then to be operated as pontoon assembly ships, assembling the materials carried as cargo into pontoon strings on board the ship. These pontoon strings would then be launched and pinned together to form completed structures, including barges, drydocks, causeways, bridge strings, pier strings, and tugs (with propulsion units). The outrigger platforms would provide additional space for the final assembly of the pontoon strings, permitting the existing deck area to be used for sub-assembly work. The ships were instructed to consult reports from USS VEGA (AK-17) for further technical guidance and to report any innovations or improvements in production methods back to ComServPac so they could be shared with the other pontoon assembly ships, which were VEGA and CARINA, AK-74. In addition, BuShips authorized the conversion of CASSIOPEIA (AK-75) and CETUS (AK-77) to pontoon assembly ships on 11 Jun 45, but the war ended before the alterations to AK-75 and probably AK-77 was completed.

Troop transport modifications: In September 1943 AK-76, 94, 105, 106, and 108 were designated to be fitted to carry 1,000 troops for short distances, while retaining much of their cargo capacity and their AK classification. The first three were already serving as cargo ships and were to be modified at San Francisco while the other two were to be fitted during their initial Navy conversions. In October 1943 the newly-selected AK 114-123 and 129, were added to this list, all to be modified during conversion. On 13 Oct 43 CNO swapped the assignments of AK-106 and AK-127, with AK-127 getting the transport conversion and AK-106 completing conversion as a cargo ship. AK-120 and 122 were given the troop accommodations but were reclassified AG 70-71 (q.v.). The final list of short-haul troop transport freighters was AK-76, 94, 105, 108, 114-119, 121, 123, 127, and 129. The ships had enough refrigerated stowage for only 15 days while carrying troops, but AK-105 and probably others stretched this to 67 days by placing five Army field-type reefers on deck at number three hatch. By November 1943 it was realized that the EC2 was particularly vulnerable to attack due to its slow speed and low subdivision, and BuShips estimated that except when very lightly loaded one torpedo hit was likely to result in immediate sinking with no time for abandoning ship. For this reason WSA filled later requirements for improvised transports by providing C-type cargo ships.

Fleet issue ship modifications: In March 1944 AK-111 received a part load of dry provisions and ship's store stock, which was experimentally loaded in a manner to permit rapid discharge to the fleet. The experiment was a success, and in early June 1944 the ship took on a full load of cargo in this configuration. In July 1944 ComServPac stated that he intended to continuously employ AK-111, 124, 137, and 138 as fleet dry provisions and ships store issue ships, and he was authorized to make the necessary alterations. AK-113 and the trooper AK-118 joined this group before September 1944; AK-106, 119 (a trooper), 125, and 128 were added in that month; and AK-110 was modified at San Pedro in October. The trooper AK-129 was given the necessary modifications in late January 1945 and in addition was to use her existing cargo reefer spaces to capacity for fleet issue. AK-126 also operated for her entire career as a fleet issue ship, and AK-139 had become a fleet issue ship by the end of the war. In a variation on this theme, AK-112 was reassigned from ServPac to ComAirPac by CinCPOA as an Aviation Stores Issue Ship on 1 Jun 44 and was reclassified IX-174 by CNO effective 20 Jun 44. AK-109 followed, being assigned to duty under ComAirPac as an Aviation Stores Issue Ship by CinCPOA on 8 Dec 44 and reclassified IX-204 by CNO effective 31 Dec 44. When the AVS (q.v.) designation was established the two ships were reclassified AVS 3-4 effective 25 May 45.

Armaments: The cargo ships of the AK-70 class were assigned three standard authorized armaments. The first, 1-5"/38 or 1-5"/51 aft, 1-3"/50 forward, and 8-20mm, was assigned in late 1942. This armament with the preferred 5"/38 was fitted as the original armament in AK-72, 74-79, 90-97, 101, 102, 104-08, 127, 130-34, 136-40, and 225-26; while AK-73, 99, 100, 103, 110, 111, 124, and 126 received the variant with the older 5"/51. The 5"/51 option was dropped at the end of 1944. The following AK's, initially fitted with other armaments, were later upgraded to this standard armament with a 5"/38: AK-70, 71, 100, 103, 110, 111, 113, 124, and 128. In response to a 1 Nov 44 suggestion from AK-137, CNO on 24 Feb 45 changed this standard armament to substitute 2 single 40mm (Army model) guns for the two 20mm at the after corners of the bridge deck, giving an armament of 1-5"/38, 1-3"/50, 2-40mm singles, and 6-20mm singles. By this time all of the ships of the class were in service, and the enhanced armament was fitted as an upgrade to AK-70, 75, 77, 92, 100, 103, 106, 113, 130-32, 134, 136-38, and 140. AK-137 got the 2-40mm but retained all eight 20mm guns. The single 20mm guns in this class were replaced on paper by 6 twins in late 1945 but none of the ships appears to have been fitted with them.

In response to a 9 Dec 43 suggestion from AK-117, OpNav on 24.12.43 stated that the ships modified to carry 1,000 troops (AK 76, 94, 105, 108, 114-23, 127, 129) were to have an enhanced armament of 1-5"/38, 4-40mmS, 12-20mm, although 4-3"/50 were to be fitted temporarily if the 40mm were not available. The 3"/50 option was cancelled on 18 Jan 44 after only AK-94 received it. This armament was also authorized for the four ships serving in the Seventh Fleet (AK-93, 99, 102, and 104). It was actually fitted to AK 114-119, 121, 123, and 129 during conversion and to AK-102, 104, 108, 135, and possibly 99 as an upgrade, although AK-108 had only 8-20mm. Two of the 40mm replaced the single 3"/50 on the bow while the other two replaced 2-20mm at the after corners of the bridge deck.

In practice, the ships of this class had other armaments besides these three standard fits. These non-standard armaments were as follows:

-- 1-5"/50 1-3"/50 8-20mm (late 1942: AK-70). This ship later got two more 20mm, and in April 1945 replaced her ancient 5"/50 with a 5"/38, giving 1-5"/38 1-3"/50 10-20mm. CRATER (AK-70) appears to have been one of only three Navy ships to carry a 5"/50 gun during World War II, the others being THURSTON (AP-77) and CALAMARES (AF-18).

-- 1-5"/51 9-20mm (late 1942: AK-71). This ship was completed with a ninth 20mm on the bow instead of the usual 3"/50. She was upgraded to the standard 5"/38 armament in July-August 1943.

-- 1-4"/50 1-3"/50 9-20mm (late 1943: AK-113, 124, 125, 128). The 4"/50 on the first three was provided by the Navy, while AK-128 retained her merchant armament. AK-124 and AK-128 got the standard 5"/38 armament in March-April 1944. AK-113 and 125 later lost the ninth 20mm while AK-128 and possibly AK-124 never had it.

-- 2-3"/50 8-20mm (late 1943: AK-109, 112). As merchant ships AK-109 had this armament while AK-112 had 1-4"/50 and 9-20mm. These ships got the standard class armament when they converted to aviation stores ships (IX, later AVS) in 1944.

-- 1-5"/38 4-3"/50 12-20mm (early 1944: AK-94 refitted). 40mm guns were not available for AK-94 when she was modified to a trooper and she was the only ship to receive the alternative armament of 3" guns in the 40mm gun positions. This temporary armament was never upgraded.

-- 1-3"/50 8-20mm (1944: IX-173, ex AK-93). She lost her 5"/38 to AK-135, below.

-- 1-3"/50 4-40mmS, 12-20mm (1944: AK-135). This ship was acquired in damaged condition and was repaired and armed as an additional Seventh Fleet AK during the second half of 1944. In mid-1944 she replaced her 3"/50 with the 5"/38 from AK-93, giving her the standard 4-40mm armament

-- 1-4"/50 1-3"/50 2-40mmS 6-20mmS (1945: AK-125). This ship was upgraded to the final standard cargo ship armament above except that her 4" gun was not replaced by a 5"/38.

Ship Notes:

AK	Name	MC	Notes
70	CRATER	420	Ex merc. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON (completed 19 Oct 42). Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Laid up at Pearl Harbor June 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as merc. JOHN JAMES AUDUBON. To buyer 7 Oct 74.
71	ADHARA	425	Ex merc. G.H. CORLISS. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. To NDRF 1945 as merc. G.H. CORLISS. To buyer 23 Nov 71.
72	ALUDRA	437	Ex merc. ROBERT T. LINCOLN. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Torpedoed by Japanese submarine RO-103 off San Cristobol Is. with AK-78.
73	ARIDED	500	Ex merc. NOAH H. SWAYNE. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Laid up at Pearl Harbor June 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but deleted from the Crossroads list 28 Feb 46 and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as ARIDED. To buyer 22 Aug 62, scrapped by 7 Mar 63.
74	CARINA	502	Ex merc. DAVID DAVIS. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Badly damaged by Japanese suicide boat off Okinawa 31 May 45 and repairs not completed. To buyer 7 Apr 52, scrapped by 20 Mar 53.
75	CASSIOPEIA	504	Ex merc. MELVILLE W. FULLER. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. To NDRF 1945 as merc. MELVILLE W. FULLER. Returned to USN 27 Jun 61 and sunk as target off Norfolk, Va., by CUTLASS (SS-478).
76	CELENO	439	Ex merc. REDFIELD PROCTOR. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Modified to transport troops ca. September-December 1943 while completing battle damage repairs. To NDRF 1946 as merc. REDFIELD PROCTOR. To buyer 6 Jun 61, scrapped by 4 Aug 61.
77	CETUS	445	Ex merc. GEORGE B.CORTELYOU. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. To NDRF 1945 as merc. GEORGE B.CORTELYOU. To buyer 6 Jan 72.
78	DEIMOS	513	Ex merc. CHIEF OURAY. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Torpedoed by Japanese submarine RO-103 off San Cristobol Is. with AK-72.
79	DRACO	453	Ex merc. JOHN M. PALMER. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Merc. JOHN M. PALMER (MC) 1945, PRESIDENT KRUGER (South Africa) 1947. Scrapped 1967 as PRESIDENT PRETORIUS.
90	ALBIREO	525	Ex merc. JOHN G. NICOLAY. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Merc. JOHN G. NICOLAY (MC) 1946, PRESIDENT STEYN (South Africa) 1947. Scrapped 1967 as OCEAN SAILOR.
91	COR CAROLI	476	Ex merc. BETSY ROSS. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. To NDRF 1945 as merc. BETSY ROSS. Delivered to the State of South Carolina 26 May 78 for use as an artificial fish reef.
92	ERIDANUS	1099	Ex merc. LUTHER BURBANK. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Merc. LUTHER BURBANK (MC) 1946, PANAGIOTIS (Greek) 1947. Scrapped 1972 as SILLA.
93	ETAMIN	1106	Ex merc. ISAAC BABBITT. Converted by Matson Co., San Francisco. Torpedoed by Japanese aircraft 27 Apr 44 while discharging cargo at Aitape, New Guinea, and not repaired, to IX- 173 as stationary dry storage ship effective 15 Jun 44. Decommissioned at Carins, Australia, 26 Jun 44, placed in service 12 Aug 44. Issued stores at Milne Bay, Hollandia, San Pedro Bay (Philippines), and Manila, being towed between these locations. Out of service and laid up by MC at Subic Bay, Philippines, 9 Jul 46. To buyer (Asia Development Corp.) 3 Mar 48, either scrapped in the Far East or sunk 1951 off Taiwan.
94	MINTAKA	725	Ex merc. ANSEL BRIGGS. Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. Modified to transport troops at Portland, Ore., between late November 1943 and 9 Jan 44. To NDRF 1946 as merc. ANSEL BRIGGS. To buyer 18 Mar 68, scrapped by 20 Nov 68.
95	MURZIM	633	Ex merc. BRIGHAM YOUNG (completed 5 Sep 42). Converted by Los Angeles SB & DD, San Pedro. Laid up at Pearl Harbor June 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as MURZIM. To buyer 27 Jul 73.
96	STEROPE	183	Ex merc. JAMES WILSON (completed 11 Apr 42). Converted by Los Angeles SB & DD, San Pedro. Laid up at Pearl Harbor May 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as STEROPE. To buyer 26 Sep 63, scrapped by 16 Dec 64.
97	SERPENS	739	Ex merc. BENJAMIN N. CARDOZO. Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. Three holds converted Dec 44 to carry ammunition. Blew up 29 Jan 45 off Lunga Beach, Guadalcanal, while loading depth charges.
99	BOOTES	1656	Ex merc. THOMAS OLIVER LARKIN. Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. Served as ammunition issuing ship for Seventh Fleet after May 1944. Laid up at Pearl Harbor April 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as BOOTES. To buyer 22 May 73.
100	LYNX	1657	(This was the second ship designated AK-100, see AK-63 class.) Ex merc. JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA. Converted by Naval Drydocks, Terminal Is. (Long Beach). To NDRF 1945 as merc. JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA. To buyer 10 Nov 72.
101	LYRA	1555	(This was the second ship designated AK-101, see AK-63 class.) Ex merc. CYRUS HAMLIN. Converted by General Engineering & DD Co, Alameda. Merc. CYRUS HAMLIN (MC) 1946, VIRGINIA (Greek) 1947, scrapped 1967 as AMADEO.
102	TRIANGULUM	1669	Ex merc. EUGENE B. DASKAM. Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. Laid up at Pearl Harbor April 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as TRIANGULUM. To buyer 27 Jan 73.
103	SCULPTOR	1671	Ex merc. D.W. HARRINGTON. Converted by Naval Drydocks, Terminal Is. (Long Beach). Merc. D.W. HARRINGTON (MC) 1946, DIMOSTHENIS PANTALEON (Greek) 1947. Scrapped 1969.
104	GANYMEDE	1571	Ex merc. JAMES W. NYE. Converted by General Engineering & DD Co, Alameda. To NDRF 1947 as GANYMEDE. To buyer 16 Apr 73.
105	NAOS	1684	Ex merc. WILLIAM R. NELSON. Converted by Los Angeles SB & DD, San Pedro. Modified to transport troops in November 1943 by General Engineering & DD Co., Alameda. To NDRF 1945 as merc. WILLIAM R. NELSON. To buyer 18 Feb 70.
106	CAELUM	1860	Ex merc. WYATT EARP. Converted by Los Angeles SB & DD, San Pedro. Modified as fleet issue ship ca. September 1944. To NDRF 1946 as merc. WYATT EARP. To buyer 26 Oct 61, scrapped by 2 Jan 62.
107	HYPERION	1563	Ex merc. CHRISTOPHER C. ANDREWS. In service with ferry crew 12 Jul 43. Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. To NDRF 1945 as merc. CHRISTOPHER C. ANDREWS. To buyer 11 Aug 61, scrapped by 24 Apr 63.
108	ROTANIN	1872	Ex merc. WILLIAM KELLY. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Naval Drydocks, Terminal Is. (Long Beach). To NDRF 1946 as merc. WILLIAM KELLY. To buyer 5 May 66, scrapped by 30 Aug 66.
109	ALLIOTH	1730	Ex merc. JAMES ROWAN (completed 31 Aug 43). Converted by Poole, McGonigle, Portland. To IX-204 31 Dec 44 as aviation stores issue ship, converted 27 Dec 44 to 17 Feb 45 at the AmShip Corp. Shipyard, Alameda, Calif, by Ellison, Kind and Lunde. To AVS-4 25 May 45. Laid up at Pearl Harbor May 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but deleted from the Crossroads list 9 Mar 46 and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as ALLIOTH. To buyer 13 Oct 64, scrapped by 28 May 65.
110	ALKES	1584	Ex merc. INCREASE A. LAPHAM (completed 16 Jul 43). Converted by Hurley Marine Works, Oakland. Modified as fleet issue ship in October 1944 at San Pedro, Calif. To NDRF 1946 as merc. INCREASE A. LAPHAM. To buyer 26 Jan 72.
111	GIANSAR	625	Ex merc. THOMAS EWING (completed 31 Jan 43). Converted by United Engineering, San Francisco. Modified as fleet issue ship mid-1944. To NDRF 1945 as merc. THOMAS EWING. To buyer 8 Aug 61, scrapped by 24 Apr 63.
112	GRUMIUM	443	Ex merc. WILLIAM G. McADOO (completed 30 Dec 42). Converted by Todd Seattle DD, Seattle. To IX-174 20 Jun 44 as aviation stores issue ship, probably converted in the San Francisco area in September 1944. To AVS-3 25 May 45. To NDRF 1945 as merc. WILLIAM G. McADOO. To buyer 18 May 70, scrapped by 27 Oct 70.
113	RUTILICUS	1643	Ex merc. ANDREW ROWAN (completed 8 May 43). Converted by the Destroyer Base, San Diego. Modified as fleet issue ship at the Amship Corp. Shipyard, Alameda, Calif., 12 Sep 44 to 13 Oct 44. To NDRF 1945 as merc. ANDREW ROWAN. To buyer 23 Nov 71.
114	ALKAID	1211	Ex merc. WILLIAM G. SUMNER. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville. To NDRF 1946 as merc. WILLIAM G. SUMNER. To buyer 20 Apr 64, scrapped by 23 Dec 65.
115	CRUX	1212	Ex merc. PETER STUYVESANT. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Merrill Stevens DD & Repair, Jacksonville. To NDRF 1946 as merc. PETER STUYVESANT. To buyer 19 Dec 61, scrapped by 13 Aug 62.
116	ALDERAMIN	1963	Ex merc. J. S. CULLINAN. Ferry commission 25-29 Nov 43. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Alabama DD & SB Co., Mobile. To NDRF 1946 as merc. J. S. CULLINAN. Returned to USN 17 Feb 65 and sunk as target.
117	ZAURAK	1964	Ex merc. HUGH YOUNG. Ferry commission 27 Nov-2 Dec 43. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Todd-Johnson SY, New Orleans. To NDRF 1946 as merc. HUGH YOUNG. To buyer 19 Jun 63, scrapped by 14 Aug 63.
118	SHAULA	1213	Ex merc. JAMES SCREVEN. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville. Further modified as fleet issue ship ca. September 1944. Merc. JAMES SCREVEN (MC) 1946, OLIMPIA 1947 (purchased by Italian Government), scrapped 1968.
119	MATAR	1214	Ex merc. NAPOLEON B. BROWARD. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Merrill Stevens DD & Repair Co., Jacksonville. Further modified as fleet issue ship ca. September 1944. Laid up at Pearl Harbor March 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as MATAR. To buyer 21 May 71.
121	SABIK	2423	Ex merc. WILLIAM BECKNELL. Ferry commission 29 Dec 43 to 4 Jan 44. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Todd- Johnson SY, New Orleans. To NDRF 1946 as merc. WILLIAM BECKNELL. To buyer 30 Oct 61, scrapped by 28 Feb 62.
123	MENKAR	1218	Ex merc. JOHN WHITE. Ferry commission 18-22 Jan 44. Converted and fitted to transport troops by Dade Drydock Co., Miami. From 4 Oct 44 to 3 Mar 46 this Coast Guard manned ship acted as cargo transport for the many LORAN navigation stations the Coast Guard built in the Southwest and Western Pacific. To NDRF 1946 as merc. JOHN WHITE. To buyer 22 May 62, scrapped by 15 May 64.
124	AZIMECH	1725	Ex merc. MARY PATTEN (completed 22 Aug 43). Converted by Moore DD Co., Oakland. Modified as fleet issue ship 8 Mar-9 Apr 44 during repairs by Bethlehem Steel Corp. at Terminal Is., Calif. To NDRF 1945 as merc. MARY PATTEN. To buyer 8 Dec 72.
125	LESUTH	1638	Ex merc. WILLIAM M. GWIN (completed 29Apr 43). Converted by United Engineering, Alameda. Modified as fleet issue ship ca. September 1944. Laid up at Pearl Harbor August 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as LESUTH. To buyer 20 Aug 64, scrapped by 13 Jan 66.
126	MEGREZ	1642	Ex merc. GENERAL VALLEJO (completed 6 May 43). Converted by Bethlehem, San Francisco. Laid up at Pearl Harbor May 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as MEGREZ. To buyer 21 Jun 74.
127	ALNITAH	451	Ex merc. JOHN A. LOGAN (completed 27 Jan 43). Converted and fitted to transport troops by Los Angeles SB, San Pedro. To MC and to War Department at Yokohama, Japan, 11 Mar 46, for service in SCAJAP as the hospital ship JOHN A. LOGAN (VH-001). Towed home and to NDRF 26 Sep 47 as ALNITAH. To buyer 12 Apr 61, scrapped by 18 Sep 61.
128	LEONIS	512	Ex merc. KEY PITTMAN (completed 31 Dec 42). Converted by Poole, McGonigle, Portland. Modified as fleet issue ship in December 1944. To NDRF 1945 as merc. KEY PITTMAN. To buyer 21 Nov 67, scrapped by 17 Sep 68.
129	PHOBOS	1961	Ex merc. JOSEPH H. KIBBEY (completed 17 Nov 43.) After one voyage began conversion to WSA troopship at Todd-Johnson DD, New Orleans, this conversion completed for the Navy. Entered service as fleet issue ship and further modified as such in February 1945. Decommissioned 22 Mar 46 at San Francisco and initially reported delivered to WSA on the same date, but the transfer did not actually occur until 17 Jan 47. To NDRF 1947 as merc. JOSEPH H. KIBBEY. To buyer 26 May 70, scrapped by 2 Oct 70.
130	ARKAB	2449	Ex merc. WARREN STONE. Ferry commission 21-25 Feb 44. Converted by Waterman SS Co., Mobile. To NDRF 1946 as merc. WARREN STONE. To buyer 8 Oct 71.
131	MELUCTA	2470	Ex merc. THOMAS A. McGINLEY. Converted by Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville. To NDRF 1945 as merc. THOMAS A. McGINLEY. To buyer 20 Jul 70, scrapped by 21 Sep 70.
132	PROPUS	2471	Ex merc. FREDERICK TRESCA. Converted by Merrill-Stevens DD & Repair Co., Jacksonville. Merc. FREDERICK TRESCA (MC) 1945, NICOLAOU GEORGIOS (Greek) 1947. Scrapped 1969 as GABBIANO.
133	SEGINUS	2453	Ex merc. HARRY TOULMIN (delivered incomplete). Ferry commission 12-14 Apr 44. Converted by Waterman SS Co., Mobile. Ferry commission 12-14 Apr 44. Merc. HARRY TOULMIN (MC) 1945, KEHREA (Greek) 1947, scrapped 1967.
134	SYRMA	2455	Ex merc. ANDRES ALMONASTER. Ferry commission 21-25 Mar 44. Converted by Todd-Galveston DD Inc., Galveston. Merc. ANDRES ALMONASTER (MC) 1946, SAN JORGE (Panamanian) 1948, scrapped 1968 as ST. JOHN.
135	VENUS	263	Ex merc. WILLIAM WILLIAMS (completed 8 Sep 42). Torpedoed aft off Suva, Fiji, 2 May 43, salvaged by Navy and towed to Auckland, New Zealand. Commissioned 10 Nov 43 to provide command authority while ship under tow from Aukland to Sydney, Australia. After arrival there 4 Dec 43 reverted to In Service, Not In Commission status and repaired and converted. Laid up at Pearl Harbor April 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco by ATF-103 in December 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1948 as VENUS. To buyer 21 Aug 61, scrapped by 23 Oct 61.
136	ARA	69	Ex merc. DANIEL BOONE (completed 15 Apr 42). Converted by Moore DD Co, San Francisco. To NDRF 1945 as merc. DANIEL BOONE. To buyer 6 Jan 72.
137	ASCELLA	708	Ex merc. GEORGE C. YOUNT (completed 21 Feb 43). Converted by Matson Navigaton Co., San Francisco. Modified as fleet issue ship mid-1944. Laid up at Pearl Harbor August 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as ASCELLA. To buyer 27 Jul 64, scrapped by 19 May 66.
138	CHELEB	520	Ex merc. LYMAN J. GAGE (completed 6 Feb 43). Converted by United Engineering Co., Alameda. Modified as fleet issue ship mid-1944. Laid up at Pearl Harbor July 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as merc. LYMAN J. GAGE. To buyer 19 Apr 78.
139	PAVO	846	Ex merc. JAMES S. HOGG (completed 12 May 43). Converted by Naval Drydocks, Terminal Is. (Long Beach). To NDRF 1945 as merc. JAMES S. HOGG. To buyer 26 Jan 72.
140	SITULA	1590	Ex merc. JOHN WHITEAKER (completed 16 Feb 43). Converted by Naval Drydocks, Terminal Is. (Long Beach). Laid up at Pearl Harbor April 1946 for use in Operation Crossroads but not used and towed to San Francisco during 1947 for disposal. To NDRF 1947 as SITULA. To buyer 8 Aug 61, scrapped by 28 Sep 61.
141	AK 141-155	--	Cancelled. Ships not selected.
225	ALLEGAN	2416	Ex merc. VAN LEAR BLACK (completed 31 Jan 44). Converted by Maryland DD Co., Baltimore. Merc. VAN LEAR BLACK (MC) 1945, SAN LEONARDO (Panamanian) 1947, scrapped 1970 as AGATHOPOLIS.
226	APPANOOSE	2662	Ex merc. A. J. CASSATT. Converted by Maryland DD Co., Baltimore. Merc. A. J. CASSATT (MC) 1945, SANTA ANA (Panamanian) 1947. Scrapped 1965.