USS William Ward Burrows (AP-6)

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USS William Ward Burrows (AP-6) on 6 July 1942
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Class:        WILLIAM WARD BURROWS (AP-6)
Design:        Pass. & Cargo, 1929
Displacement (tons):        4,751 light, 7,684 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        386.0' oa, 370.0' pp x 53.2' e x 20.0' lim.
Original Armament:        4-3"/50
Later armaments:        4-3"/50 8-20mm (1942)
Complement:        189 (1944)
Speed (kts.):        12
Propulsion (HP):        3,465
Machinery:        Burmeister & Wain diesels, 2 screws

Construction:

AP	Name	Acq.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
6	WILLIAM WARD BURROWS	6 Feb 40	Burmeister & Wain E&S	--	9 Feb 29	15 May 40

Disposition:

AP	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
6	WILLIAM WARD BURROWS	16 May 46	15 Aug 46	28 Jun 46	MC/R	30 Apr 57

Class Notes:
FY 1940. In 1929 the Grace Line took delivery of two new small passenger and cargo ships, SANTA INEZ and SANTA RITA. Apart from a cruiser stern, a short funnel and diesel propulsion, these ships built by Burmeister & Wain of Copenhagen, were much like the five ships of the SANTA ANA type built by Grace during World War I (see AP-28, AP-36, and AS-9 for three of these). Measuring 5,000 tons and 386 ft. overall, they had accommodations for 125 passengers in two classes. Each had two six cylinder, 4 cycle, 3,600 HP main engines, giving a service speed of 13 knots and speeds on trials of 15.24 and 15.1 knots. This pair joined two pre-World War I ships in Grace's secondary service between New York and Valparaiso.

In 1938 Congress directed the Navy to appoint a board (subsequently called the Hepburn Board, named for the admiral who headed it) to "investigate and report on the need, for purposes of national defense, for the establishment of additional submarine, destroyer, mine, and naval air bases on the coasts of the United States, its Territories, and possessions." On 29 Sep 38 CNO had already noted that the transfer of one of two Grace Line vessels, the sisters SANTA RITA and SANTA INEZ, was under consideration and asked for an estimate of the cost of converting one of them to as survey ship as a replacement for USS HANNIBAL (AG-1). CNO forwarded the completed estimate to the Judge Advocate General of the Navy on 12 Dec 38 for use in preparing legislation. The Hepburn Board's report was submitted to Congress on 27 Dec 38, and on 2 Feb 39 CNO informed the Navy's Judge Advocate General that he now wished to acquire both of the Grace ships, the second of which was intended for use in connection with the preparation of bases as recommended by the Hepburn Board and was to be fitted for passenger, cargo, and towing services. After Congressional legislation of 25 Jul 39 authorized the purchase of both ships, CNO on 28 Aug 39 directed their acquisition, SANTA INEZ for use as a surveying ship (AG-30) and SANTA RITA as a transport (AP-6). He assigned the conversion job on both ships to the Norfolk Navy Yard. The ships were to be delivered by the Grace Line after replacement ships being built by the Maritime Commission were completed. In view of the changed international situation, the Secretary of the Navy on 30 Sep 39 approved the recommendation of CNO and the General Board to give both ships 4-3"/50 guns. In 1945 the troop capacity of AP-6 was 1,138 men.

Ship Notes:

AP	Name	Notes
6	WILLIAM WARD BURROWS	Ex merc. SANTA RITA (completed May 29). Converted by the Norfolk Navy Yard. To buyer 18 May 57, scrapped by 14 Nov 58.