USS Andromeda (AKA-15) Class

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USS Rolette (AKA-99) on 7 April 1952.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        ANDROMEDA (AKA-15)
Design:        MC C2-S-B1
Displacement (tons):        7,132 light, 14,200 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        459.25' oa, 435.0' pp x 63.0' e x 26.3' lim.
Original Armament:        1-5"/38 4-3"/50 12-20mm (1943: AKA-15, 19)
Later armaments:        1-5"/38 4-3"/50 18-20mm (1943-44: AKA 15-20); 1-5"/38 4-3"/50 8<14-20mmT (1945-57: AKA-16, 19-20); 1-5"/38 4-3"/50 (1957: AKA 19-20);
1-5"/38 2-40mmT 18>10-20mm (1944-47: AKA 15, 53, 55-57); 1-5"/38 2-40mmT 10<12-20mmT (1945-46: AKA-56);
1-5"/38 4-40mmT 18-20mm (1944-46: AKA 53-54, 57-63, 88-100); 1-5"/38 4-40mmT 6<12-20mmS (1946-55: AKA 53-55, 60-61, 88-90); 1-5"/38 4-40mmT 4<14-20mmT (1946-57: AKA-15, 54-61, 88-98, 100); 1-5"/38 4-40mmT (1957-61: AKA-53, 56-57, 61, 88, 92, 94-97, 100);
4-40mmT (1957-63: AKA-54, 58, 88-90, 92-94, 96-97);
4-3"/50 (1963-65: AKA-20)
Complement:        249 (1944)
Speed (kts.):        16.5
Propulsion (HP):        6,000
Machinery:        G.E. turbine, 1 screw

Construction:

AKA	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
15	ANDROMEDA	30 Mar 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	22 Sep 42	22 Dec 42	2 Apr 43
16	AQUARIUS	20 Aug 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	28 Apr 43	23 Jul 43	21 Aug 43
17	CENTAURUS	20 Oct 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	7 Jun 43	3 Sep 43	21 Oct 43
18	CEPHEUS	15 Dec 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	26 Jul 43	27 Oct 43	16 Dec 43
19	THUBAN	9 Jun 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	2 Feb 43	26 Apr 43	10 Jun 43
20	VIRGO	15 Jul 43	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	9 Mar 43	4 Jun 43	16 Jul 43
53	ACHERNAR	29 Jan 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	6 Sep 43	3 Dec 43	31 Jan 44
54	ALGOL	27 Nov 43	Moore DD, Oakland	10 Dec 42	17 Feb 43	21 Jul 44
55	ALSHAIN	31 Mar 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	29 Oct 43	26 Jan 44	1 Apr 44
56	ARNEB	16 Nov 43	Moore DD, Oakland	20 Apr 43	6 Jul 43	28 Apr 44
57	CAPRICORNUS	25 Nov 43	Moore DD, Oakland	5 May 43	14 Aug 43	31 May 44
58	CHARA	16 Mar 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	6 Dec 43	15 Mar 44	14 Jun 44
59	DIPHDA	7 Jul 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	27 Jan 44	11 May 44	8 Jul 44
60	LEO	29 Aug 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	17 Mar 44	29 Jun 44	30 Aug 44
61	MULIPHEN	21 Oct 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	13 May 44	26 Aug 44	23 Oct 44
62	SHELIAK	30 Nov 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	19 Jun 44	17 Oct 44	1 Dec 44
63	THEENIM	22 Dec 44	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	3 Jul 44	31 Oct 44	23 Dec 44
88	UVALDE	18 Aug 44	Moore DD, Oakland	27 Mar 44	20 May 44	18 Aug 44
89	WARRICK	30 Aug 44	Moore DD, Oakland	7 Apr 44	29 May 44	30 Aug 44
90	WHITESIDE	11 Sep 44	Moore DD, Oakland	22 Apr 44	12 Jun 44	11 Sep 44
91	WHITLEY	21 Sep 44	Moore DD, Oakland	2 May 44	22 Jun 44	21 Sep 44
92	WYANDOT	30 Sep 44	Moore DD, Oakland	6 May 44	28 Jun 44	30 Sep 44
93	YANCEY	11 Oct 44	Moore DD, Oakland	22 May 44	8 Jul 44	11 Oct 44
94	WINSTON	18 Jan 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	10 Jul 44	30 Nov 44	19 Jan 45
95	MARQUETTE	19 Jun 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	30 Aug 44	29 Apr 45	20 Jun 45
96	MATHEWS	3 Mar 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	15 Sep 44	22 Dec 44	5 Mar 45
97	MERRICK	30 Mar 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	19 Oct 44	28 Jan 45	31 Mar 45
98	MONTAGUE	13 Apr 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	2 Nov 44	11 Feb 45	14 Apr 45
99	ROLETTE	26 Apr 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	2 Dec 44	11 Mar 45	27 Apr 45
100	OGLETHORPE	5 Jun 45	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	26 Dec 44	15 Apr 45	6 Jun 45
109	SAN JOAQUIN	--	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	17 Aug 45	--	--
110	SEDGWICK	--	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	--	--	--
111	WHITFIELD	--	Federal SB & DD, Kearny	--	--	--

Disposition:

AKA	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
15	ANDROMEDA	1 May 56	1 Jul 60	30 Jun 60	MA/T	12 Mar 71
16	AQUARIUS	23 May 46	13 Nov 46	12 Sep 46	MC/D	22 Dec 47
17	CENTAURUS	30 Apr 46	19 Jul 46	11 Sep 46	MC/D	27 Feb 48
18	CEPHEUS	22 May 46	22 Jan 47	17 Jan 47	MC/D	8 Oct 47
19	THUBAN	31 Oct 68	1 Jan 77	1 Sep 71	MA/T	27 Sep 84
20	VIRGO	18 Feb 71	18 Feb 71	19 Nov 73	MA/S	19 Nov 73
53	ACHERNAR	1 Jul 63	1 Jan 82	2 Feb 65	Trf.	13 May 82
54	ALGOL	23 Jul 70	1 Jan 77	1 Sep 73	MA/T	--
55	ALSHAIN	14 Jan 56	1 Jul 60	1 Nov 60	MA/T	16 Feb 78
56	ARNEB	12 Aug 71	13 Aug 71	1 Mar 73	MA/S	1 Mar 73
57	CAPRICORNUS	10 Feb 70	1 Jan 77	1 Sep 71	MA/T	17 Sep 83
58	CHARA	10 Mar 72	10 Mar 72	11 Dec 72	MA/S	11 Dec 72
59	DIPHDA	11 May 56	1 Jul 61	1 Oct 62	MA/T	16 Mar 76
60	LEO	11 Feb 55	1 Jul 60	30 Jun 60	MA/T	19 Jul 76
61	MULIPHEN	31 Aug 70	1 Jan 77	1 Sep 71	MA/T	--
62	SHELIAK	10 May 46	21 May 46	11 May 46	MC/D	12 Aug 48
63	THEENIM	10 May 46	21 May 46	12 May 46	MC/D	23 Feb 47
88	UVALDE	29 Nov 68	1 Dec 68	26 Jun 69	MA/S	26 Jun 69
89	WARRICK	3 Dec 57	1 Jul 61	1 Oct 62	MA/T	--
90	WHITESIDE	30 Jan 58	1 Jul 61	1 Oct 62	MA/T	--
91	WHITLEY	16 Aug 55	1 May 73	1 Feb 62	Trf.	--
92	WYANDOT	22 Jan 76	31 Mar 86	1 Oct 77	MA/T	5 Nov 87
93	YANCEY	20 Jan 71	1 Jan 77	1 Jul 72	MA/T	--
94	WINSTON	Nov 69	1 Sep 76	1 Jul 71	MA/T	15 Nov 79
95	MARQUETTE	19 Jul 55	1 Jul 60	30 Jun 60	MA/T	28 Mar 72
96	MATHEWS	31 Oct 68	1 Nov 68	15 Sep 69	MA/S	15 Sep 69
97	MERRICK	17 Sep 69	1 Sep 76	1 Jul 71	MA/T	15 Nov 79
98	MONTAGUE	22 Nov 55	1 Jul 60	30 Jun 60	MA/T	12 Mar 71
99	ROLETTE	1 May 56	1 Jul 60	30 Jun 60	MA/T	16 Feb 78
100	OGLETHORPE	31 Oct 68	1 Nov 68	26 Jun 69	MA/S	26 Jun 69
109	SAN JOAQUIN	--	--	27 Aug 45	Canc.	--
110	SEDGWICK	--	--	27 Aug 45	Canc.	--
111	WHITFIELD	--	--	27 Aug 45	Canc.	--

Class Notes:
FY 1943 (AKA 15-20), 1944 (AKA 53/111). Although all these ships were built to the MC C2-S-B1 design, the Moore ships were listed as 1 inch shorter (459.2') and appear to have had slightly larger smokestacks. All but AKA 54, 56-57, and 109-111 were completed under the Maritime Commission Military Program.

On 28 Aug 42 CominCh directed the acquisition of 24 combat loaded transports and 6 combat loaded cargo ships. On 16 Sep 42 the JCS wrote to the Maritime Commission in support of the Navy request, stating that there was a need to increase the number of combat loaded transports and cargo ships, that 30 C2, C3 or equivalent hulls were needed, that these ships would be continually employed for war operations, and that they should be in addition to any ships then building for Army or Navy account. The Auxiliary Vessels Board determined on 19 Sep that the only available source for these ships was the Maritime Commission building program. It identified 30 candidate hulls (along with three for acquisition as AGC 1-3). MC hulls 199-204 at Federal, described as identical to the hulls converted to AKA 12-14, were initially selected to become AKA 15-20, but on 17 Dec 42 hulls 200-202 were reallocated for conversion to AGC 1-3 and hulls 205-207 replaced them as AKA 16-18.

On 9 Jul 43 CominCh wrote that the known requirements for APAs and AKAs now exceeded the total numbers provided for by existing construction and conversion programs and directed that enough MC hulls be acquired to support the immediate acquisition of 8 APAs and 6 AKAs and the subsequent delivery of one APA every month and one AKA every two months. The Auxiliary Vessels Board on 16 Jul 43 identified 14 MC hulls (soon increased to 15) for acquisition as APAs and 11 to become AKAs. SecNav approved this program on 21 Jul 43 and the VCNO asked the MC for the ships on 26 July. Of the AKAs, 8 were acquired from Federal and 3 from Moore (AKA 53-63). The Moore ships were placed in commission for transfer by ferrying crews from Oakland, Calif., to Portland, Ore., where they were decommissioned and converted. MC hull 1159 replaced MC hull 1157 as AKA-56 on 11 Sep 43.

On 9 Nov 43 JCS requested that the MC construct 130 standard APAs and 30 standard AKAs for the Navy for completion as early in the fourth quarter of 1944 as practicable. Most of the AKAs came from the North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., but six (AKA 88-93) were acquired from Moore as duplicates of the AKA-53 type. These were converted by the builder at Oakland.

On 6 Jun 44 JCS requested that the MC modify its building program for the first half of 1945 to provide for the construction of 56 merchant type vessels as Naval auxiliaries. The MC on 22 Jun 44 agreed to supply 54 ships, including seven more AKAs from Federal (AKA 94-100) that were to be duplicates of AKA-58.

On 26 Feb 45 the JCS asked that the MC construct some additional shipping to meet military requirements, including 12 APAs and three AKAs. These were to be similar to the ones in previous programs but with all known defects and deficiencies corrected and with provisions for certain new requirements resulting from operational experience. Three hulls at North Carolina (MC 2609-2611) were initially designated, but on 17 Apr 45 the MC informed CNO that due to construction difficulties at North Carolina the MC would be unable to build the ships there and would build them instead at Federal (AKA 109-111) as duplicates of AKA-100.

The main design innovation in this class was the quadrupod mast, which became a feature on all subsequent AKA's. When planning for future AKA's on 31 Jul 42, BuShips told the New York Navy Yard that the future ship should have center and side kingposts somewhat similar to those in LIBRA (AKA-12), but that those on LIBRA were of too heavy a design. The Bureau asked New York to lighten the kingpost design as much as possible and submit it for Bureau approval before purchasing the equipment. BuShips felt that the capacity of the heavy booms could be reduced from 40 tons as in the AKA-12 class to 30 tons, a model that were easier to obtain and faster in operation. In an early September conference call with the Bureau, Mr. Copenhaver, Design (Fittings) at New York, proposed to replace the triple kingposts with a design of four straight line pipes merging at the top. These could support both the four small and two 30-ton booms served by the three kingposts, and topmasts and lookout stations could be mounted on top. This arrangement would provide a simplified design weighing much less and would not require stays (thus enlarging the safe arcs of fire of the ship's anti-aircraft guns). The Bureau immediately approved proceeding with the design, and New York duly built the first twelve fabricated masts for installation by Federal on AKA 15-20. Other conversion features included provisions for stowing and handling eight 50-foot LCM(3) tank lighters along with ten 36-foot LCVPs on deck and another six in two triple Welin davits on the sides of the superstructure.

ARNEB (AKA-56) was fitted for Arctic service under FY1948. Some AKAs and APAs were resubordinated from amphibious forces to the Naval Transportation Service in 1945-46 to assist in the transition to peacetime and occupation operations, and on 1 Oct 49 MSTS inherited the 12 AKAs (AKA 12-13 and ten units of the AKA-15 class) and three APAs (18, 19, and 30) that were still on commissioned NTS duty. WYANDOT (T-AKA-92) was in MSTS service on 1 Jan 69 when her surviving sisters in the amphibious force were reclassified LKA and she was reclassified T-AK.

Ship Notes:

AKA	Name	MC#	Notes
15	ANDROMEDA	199	Ex AK-64 1 Feb 43. Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 to 30 Sep 50. In USN reserve 1955-60. To NDRF 8 Apr 60, to buyer 6 Apr 71.
16	AQUARIUS	205	Ex AK-65 1 Feb 43. Stk. 19.7.46, reinstated 8.10.46. Merc. PIONEER LAKE 1947. In NDRF 1963-65 as AMERICAN TRAPPER. Sold by MA 17 Apr 67, to buyer 8 May 67, scrapped by 29 Feb 68.
17	CENTAURUS	206	Ex AK-66 1 Feb 43. Merc. PIONEER BAY 1948. In NDRF 1962-70 as AMERICAN GUNNER. Sold by MA 1 Jul 70, to buyer 11 Jul 70, scrapped by 30 Oct 70.
18	CEPHEUS	207	Ex AK-67 1 Feb 43. Stk. 19 Jul 46, to MC 12 Sep 46. Reinst. 8 Oct 46, from MC 21 Nov 46. Merc. PIONEER SEA 1947. Wrecked 3 Apr 68 as BROOKVILLE.
19	THUBAN	203	Ex AK-68 1 Feb 43. Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 until transferred back to regular naval service with amphibious forces circa September 1950. To LKA-19 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 30 Sep 69, to buyer ca. Jul 85, sunk Dec 85.
20	VIRGO	204	Ex AK-69 1 Feb 43. Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 to 15 Sep 50. In USN reserve 1958-60. To NDRF 23 Aug 60, stk. 1 Jul 61, to MA 1 Oct 62. From MA 19 Aug 65, to AE-30 1 Nov 65, converted by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Seattle, Wash., and recomm. 19 Aug 66. To NDRF 19 May 71, to buyer 26 Dec 73.
53	ACHERNAR	208	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 until transferred back to regular naval service with amphibious forces 16 Apr 51. In USN reserve 1955-61, then active. To NDRF 11 Oct 62, stk. 1 Jul 63, to MA 1 Jul 63. From MA 22 Jul 64, trf. to Spain as CASTILLA. Stk. by Spain 1 Jan 82. Returned to MA for disposal, to buyer 2 Aug 82, scrapped by 22 Nov 82 in Spain..
54	ALGOL	1153	Ex merc. JAMES BAINES. Ferry comm. 27 Nov-3 Dec 43. Converted by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Ore. In USN reserve 1947-48 and 1957-61. In NDRF (MA custody) 18 Nov 60 to 11 May 61 and 27 Jun 61 to 5 Aug 61. To LKA-54 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 23 Jul 70, delivered by MA to New Jersey for use as a fish reef 11 Jun 91.
55	ALSHAIN	209	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 until transferred back to regular naval service with amphibious forces 30 Apr 51. In USN reserve 1955-60. In NDRF 10 Aug 60 to 1978.
56	ARNEB	1159	Ex merc. MISCHIEF. Ferry comm. 16-24 Nov 43. Converted by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Ore. In USN reserve 1947-48. Converted by NSY Philadelphia for Arctic operations 1948-49 (SCB 10.48, ord. 1 Feb 48, start 15 Jul 48, recom. 19 Mar 49, compl. 1 Apr 49). To LKA-56 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 28 Mar 72, to buyer 14 May 73.
57	CAPRICORNUS	1160	Ex merc. SPITFIRE. Ferry comm. 25-30 Nov 43. Converted by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Ore. In USN reserve 1947-50. In NDRF 12 Aug 70 to 1983. Scrapped by 16 May 85.
58	CHARA	210	Delivered 90.2% complete. Converted by Todd Shipyards, Brooklyn, N.Y. Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 to mid-1950 and from circa late 1952 to 1 Jul 54. In NDRF 28 Jan 60 to 1965. Stk. 1 Jul 60, to MA 30 Jun 60. From MA 23 Aug 65, to AE-31 1 Nov 65, converted by Willamette Iron & Steel Corp, Portland, Ore., and recomm. 25 Jun 66. To buyer 12 Dec 72.
59	DIPHDA	211	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 to 31 Mar 51 and from 5 Feb 52 to 11 Nov 52. In USN reserve 1955-60. To NDRF 29 Nov 60, to buyer 13 Apr 76.
60	LEO	212	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 to mid-1950 and from 19 May 52 to 1955. In USN reserve 1955-60. To NDRF 29 Mar 60, to buyer 3 Aug 76.
61	MULIPHEN	213	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 until reassigned to regular naval service with amphibious forces 31 Oct 50. To LKA-61 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 2 Dec 70, delivered by MA for use as a fish reef 28 Oct 88.
62	SHELIAK	214	Merc. PIONEER ISLE 1948. Scrapped 1969 as TRANSLUNA.
63	THEENIM	215	Merc. AMERICAN INVENTOR 1947. Scrapped 1970 as SURFER.
88	UVALDE	1188	Ex merc. WILD PIGEON. In USN reserve 1957-60. To NDRF 7 Jan 60, stk. 1 Jul 60, to MA 30 Jun 60, reinst. 1 Sep 61, from MA 3 Aug 61. To buyer 22 Jul 69.
89	WARRICK	1189	Ex merc. BLACK PRINCE. In USN reserve 1957-60. To NDRF 19 Jul 60, to Navy for use as target 20 Apr 71.
90	WHITESIDE	1190	Ex merc. WINGS OF THE MORNING. In USN reserve 1957-60. To NDRF 7 Jun 60, to Navy for use as target 22 Apr 71.
91	WHITLEY	1191	In USN reserve 1954-60. To NDRF 14 Jul 60, stk. 1 Jul 60, to MA 31 Jul 60. Reinst. 1 Dec 61, from MA 30 Nov 61, trf. to Italy as ETNA. Stk. by Italy 1 Nov 77, scrapped at Naples Jul 79.
92	WYANDOT	1192	To NDRF 18 Jan 60, to MA 30 Jun 60, stk. 1 Jul 60. From MA 5 Aug 61, reinst. 1 Sep 61. To MSTS from the Navy's reserve fleet at Norfolk 4 Mar 63. Reclas. AK-283 1 Jan 69. Inactivated by MSTS 22 Jan 76, in NDRF 5 Mar 76 to 1987.
93	YANCEY	1193	In USN reserve 1957-60. In NDRF (MA custody) 11 Oct 60 to 11 May 61 and 30 Jun 61 to 4 Aug 61. To LKA-93 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 18 Mar 71, delivered by MA to the State of North Carolina for use as a fish reef off Atlantic Beach, N.C., 15 Dec 89.
94	WINSTON	216	In USN reserve 1956-60. In NDRF (MA custody) 1 Sep 60 to 7 Sep 61. Stk. 1 Jul 61, reinst. 1 Sep 61. To LKA-94 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 17 Feb 70, to buyer 18 Dec 79, scrapped by 23 Apr 80.
95	MARQUETTE	217	In USN reserve 1955-60. To NDRF 9 Feb 60, to buyer 3 May 72.
96	MATHEWS	218	Stk. 23 Apr 47, to MC 9 Apr 47. Reinst. 17 Jul 51, from MC 30 Jul 51. To buyer 23 Oct 69.
97	MERRICK	219	Stk. 1 Aug 47, to MC 25 Jun 47. From MC 9 Jul 51, reinst. 17 Jul 51. To LKA-97 1 Jan 69. To NDRF 2 Dec 69, to buyer 19 Dec 79, scrapped by 13 Mar 80.
98	MONTAGUE	220	In USN reserve 1955-60. In NDRF 11 Feb 60 to 1971. To buyer 2 Apr 71.
99	ROLETTE	221	Stk. 23 Apr 47, to MC 31 Mar 47. Reinst. 17 Jul 51, from MC 13 Aug 51. In USN reserve 1955-60. To NDRF 28 Jan 60, to buyer 8 Mar 78.
100	OGLETHORPE	222	Served in MSTS as a commissioned naval vessel from 1 Oct 49 until reassigned to regular naval service with amphibious forces 22 Jan 51. To buyer 14 Jul 69.
109	SAN JOAQUIN	2896	Completed 1946 as merc. SANTA MONICA (C2-S1-DG2 type). Scrapped 1969 as COSMOS TRADER.
110	SEDGWICK	2897	Completed 1946 as merc. SANTA CLARA (C2-S1-DG2 type). To NDRF 27 Jun 60. Sold by MA 24 Jul 70, to buyer 27 Aug 70, scrapped by 20 Nov 70.
111	WHITFIELD	2898	Completed 1947 as merc. SANTA SOFIA (C2-S1-DG2 type). Scrapped 1970 as COSMOS MARINER.