USS Almaack (AKA-10)

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USS Almaack (AK-27) on 31 December 1941
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Class:        ALMAACK (AKA-10)
Design:        MC C3-E
Displacement (tons):        7,074 light, 15,265 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        473.1' oa, 450.0' pp x 66.0' e x 28.4' lim.
Original Armament:        1-5"/51 4-3"/50 (1942)
Later armaments:        1-5"/51 4-3"/50 8<12-20mm (1942)
1-5"/38 4-3"/50 18-20mm (1943)
Complement:        143 (early?)
Speed (kts.):        18.6
Propulsion (HP):        8,500
Machinery:        Bethlehem Parsons turbine, 1 screw

Construction:

AKA	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
10	ALMAACK	31 May 41	Bethlehem Steel, Quincy	14 Mar 40	21 Sep 40	15 Jun 41

Disposition:

AKA	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
10	ALMAACK	23 May 46	15 Aug 46	12 Sep 46	MC/D	9 Dec 47

Class Notes:
FY 1942. Called C3-E Cargo by the MC. The C3-E was among the first C3 types built under the Maritime Commission's shipbuilding program, four ships (including AK-41) being ordered in August 1938. The C3-E was designed privately for the American Export Line and differed from all other C3's in being shorter (473 vice 489 to 492 feet) and in having an old fashioned counter stern (a distinctive feature of American Export ships into the 1950s). The ships were designed as fast cargo vessels for carrying package freight, and their hatches were smaller and cargo handling gear lighter than normal. The initial quartet was followed by four more C3-E's (including AP-67 and AKA-10) and then by 15 ships of the nearly identical C3-S-A3 type (including the APA-55 class). The Auxiliary Vessels Board in its first report, dated 11 Feb 41, included four AKs (AK 26-29) of the C1 or C2 type in its estimate of the Navy's peacetime needs and recommended their acquisition. It based this request on the demonstrated need to have one of these vessels for every three marine transports in order to carry additional landing boats, guns, tractors, etc. The CNO, however, noted in a cover memo that the President had recently directed that the Navy not make arrangements to take over any other commercial vessels because of shortage of shipping, in effect disapproving the acquisition of 21 ships including AK 26-29. On 14 May 41 the Auxiliary Vessels Board reaffirmed the Navy's need for the ships, and on 26 May the President directed the Maritime Commission to turn over to the Navy 19 ships including 12 cargo ships of 15 knot speed. Nine units, AK 23-31 were to be turned over immediately.

AK-27 received her armament at Norfolk in December 1941 following an appeal from her commanding officer based on recent experience in a North Atlantic convoy. The single 25-ton heavy boom on board when the ship was acquired gave her the ability to handle only the lighter models of tank lighters. She was probably fitted as an attack cargo ship during an overhaul period at the Craig Shipbuilding Co., Long Beach, Cal., in Jun-Jul 42, having operated exclusively as a general cargo ship up to that time. During a lengthy period of repairs to torpedo damage at Norfolk in 1943 she was upgraded with quadrupod masts fore and aft (as in the AKA-15 class) with 30-ton booms.

Ship Notes:

AKA	Name	MC#	Notes
10	ALMAACK	104	Ex merc. EXECUTOR (ID-5011B, completed 22 Oct 40). Ex AK-27 1 Feb 43. Converted at Tietjen & Lang DD (Todd), Hoboken, N.J. Torpedoed off Portugal 15 Nov 42, completed repairs at Norfolk in October 1943. Merc. EXECUTOR 1946 (MC), BUNKER HILL 1947, EXCELLENCY 1949. In NDRF 1964-65 and 1967-70. Sold by MA 15 May 70, to buyer 17 Jun 70, scrapped by 5 Oct 70.