USS Fallon at Pearl Harbor on 22 March 1946.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.
Class: GILLIAM (APA-57)
Design: MC S4-SE2-BD1
Displacement (tons): 4,247 light, 7,080 lim.
Dimensions (feet): 426.0' oa, 400.0' pp x 58.0' e x 16.0' lim.
Original Armament: 1-5"/38 4-40mmT 10-20mm (1944-45: all)
Later armaments: 1-5"/38 4-40mmT 4-20mm (1946-47: APA-64);
1-5"/38 3-40mmT 4-20mm (1946-47: APA-73);
1-5"/38 2-40mmT 10>4-20mm (1946-47: APA 60-61, 70-71, 77, 79, 81);
1-5"/38 1-40mmT 4-20mm (1946-47: APA-88);
1-5"/38 4-20mm (1946-47: APA-74);
2-20mm (1947-49: APA-63, APA/IX-67)
Complement: 326 (1944)
Speed (kts.): 16.9
Propulsion (HP): 6,000
Machinery: Westinghouse turbo-electric, 2 screws
Construction:
| APA | Name | Ord. | Builder | Keel | Launch | Commiss. |
| 57 | GILLIAM | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 30 Nov 43 | 28 Mar 44 | 1 Aug 44 |
| 58 | APPLING | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 7 Dec 43 | 9 Apr 44 | 22 Aug 44 |
| 59 | AUDRAIN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 11 Dec 43 | 21 Apr 44 | 2 Sep 44 |
| 60 | BANNER | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 24 Jan 44 | 3 May 44 | 16 Sep 44 |
| 61 | BARROW | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 28 Jan 44 | 11 May 44 | 28 Sep 44 |
| 62 | BERRIEN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 23 Feb 44 | 20 May 44 | 8 Oct 44 |
| 63 | BLADEN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 8 Mar 44 | 31 May 44 | 18 Oct 44 |
| 64 | BRACKEN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 13 Mar 44 | 10 Jun 44 | 4 Oct 44 |
| 65 | BRISCOE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 29 Mar 44 | 19 Jun 44 | 29 Oct 44 |
| 66 | BRULE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 10 Apr 44 | 30 Jun 44 | 31 Oct 44 |
| 67 | BURLESON | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 22 Apr 44 | 11 Jul 44 | 8 Nov 44 |
| 68 | BUTTE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 4 May 44 | 20 Jul 44 | 22 Nov 44 |
| 69 | CARLISLE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 12 May 44 | 30 Jul 44 | 29 Nov 44 |
| 70 | CARTERET | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 22 May 44 | 15 Aug 44 | 3 Dec 44 |
| 71 | CATRON | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 1 Jun 44 | 28 Aug 44 | 28 Nov 44 |
| 72 | CLARENDON | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 12 Jun 44 | 12 Sep 44 | 14 Dec 44 |
| 73 | CLEBURNE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 20 Jun 44 | 27 Sep 44 | 22 Dec 44 |
| 74 | COLUSA | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 1 Jul 44 | 7 Oct 44 | 20 Dec 44 |
| 75 | CORTLAND | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 12 Jul 44 | 18 Oct 44 | 1 Jan 45 |
| 76 | CRENSHAW | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 21 Jul 44 | 27 Oct 44 | 4 Jan 45 |
| 77 | CRITTENDEN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 31 Jul 44 | 6 Nov 44 | 17 Jan 45 |
| 78 | CULLMAN | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 16 Aug 44 | 18 Nov 44 | 25 Jan 45 |
| 79 | DAWSON | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 29 Aug 44 | 27 Nov 44 | 4 Feb 45 |
| 80 | ELKHART | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 13 Sep 44 | 5 Dec 44 | 8 Feb 45 |
| 81 | FALLON | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 28 Sep 44 | 14 Dec 44 | 14 Feb 45 |
| 82 | FERGUS | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 7 Oct 44 | 24 Dec 44 | 20 Feb 45 |
| 83 | FILLMORE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 19 Oct 44 | 4 Jan 45 | 25 Feb 45 |
| 84 | GARRARD | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 28 Oct 44 | 13 Jan 45 | 3 Mar 45 |
| 85 | GASCONADE | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 7 Nov 44 | 23 Jan 45 | 11 Mar 45 |
| 86 | GENEVA | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 18 Nov 44 | 31 Jan 45 | 22 Mar 45 |
| 87 | NIAGARA | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 28 Nov 44 | 10 Feb 45 | 29 Mar 45 |
| 88 | PRESIDIO | 25 May 43 | Consolidated Steel, Wilm. | 6 Dec 44 | 17 Feb 45 | 9 Apr 45 |
Disposition:
| APA | Name | Decomm. | Strike | Disposal | Fate | MA Sale |
| 57 | GILLIAM | -- | 15 Aug 46 | 1 Jul 46 | Tgt. | -- |
| 58 | APPLING | 20 Dec 46 | 4 Apr 47 | 31 Mar 48 | MC/R | 15 Jul 68 |
| 59 | AUDRAIN | 15 May 46 | 1 Aug 47 | 25 Jul 47 | MC/R | 7 Nov 72 |
| 60 | BANNER | 28 Aug 46 | 12 Mar 48 | 16 Feb 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 61 | BARROW | 28 Aug 46 | 28 May 48 | 11 May 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 62 | BERRIEN | 17 May 46 | 1 Aug 47 | 12 Aug 47 | MC/R | 17 May 66 |
| 63 | BLADEN | 26 Dec 46 | 20 Oct 53 | 3 Aug 53 | MA/D | 15 Jul 55 |
| 64 | BRACKEN | 28 Aug 46 | 5 Apr 48 | 10 Mar 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 65 | BRISCOE | 28 Aug 46 | 13 Jul 48 | 6 May 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 66 | BRULE | 28 Aug 46 | 28 May 48 | 11 May 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 67 | BURLESON | 9 Nov 46 | 1 Sep 68 | 8 Nov 68 | MA/S | 8 Nov 68 |
| 68 | BUTTE | 28 Aug 46 | 28 May 48 | 12 May 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 69 | CARLISLE | -- | 15 Aug 46 | 1 Jul 46 | Tgt. | -- |
| 70 | CARTERET | 28 Aug 46 | 30 Apr 48 | 19 Apr 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 71 | CATRON | 28 Aug 46 | 13 Jul 48 | 6 May 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 72 | CLARENDON | 9 Apr 46 | 8 May 46 | 28 Jun 46 | MC/R | 21 Nov 63 |
| 73 | CLEBURNE | 7 Jun 46 | 1 Aug 47 | 23 Jul 47 | MC/R | 16 Jun 65 |
| 74 | COLUSA | 16 May 46 | 1 Aug 47 | 14 Aug 47 | MC/R | 12 Aug 65 |
| 75 | CORTLAND | 31 Dec 46 | 4 Apr 47 | 31 Mar 48 | MC/R | 14 Jul 66 |
| 76 | CRENSHAW | 19 Apr 46 | 3 Jul 46 | 30 Jun 46 | MC/R | 7 Dec 64 |
| 77 | CRITTENDEN | 28 Aug 46 | 21 Oct 48 | 6 Oct 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 78 | CULLMAN | 22 May 46 | 3 Jul 46 | 1 Jul 46 | MC/R | 12 Aug 65 |
| 79 | DAWSON | 28 Aug 46 | 30 Apr 48 | 19 Apr 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 80 | ELKHART | 12 Apr 46 | 21 May 46 | 28 Jun 46 | MC/R | 7 Jan 64 |
| 81 | FALLON | 28 Aug 46 | 5 Apr 48 | 10 Mar 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 82 | FERGUS | 25 Jun 46 | 17 Jul 47 | 4 Sep 47 | MC/R | 16 Jun 65 |
| 83 | FILLMORE | 24 Jan 47 | 25 Feb 47 | 1 Apr 48 | MC/R | 13 Sep 66 |
| 84 | GARRARD | 16 Apr 46 | 21 May 46 | 30 Jun 46 | MC/R | 17 May 65 |
| 85 | GASCONADE | 28 Aug 46 | 12 Aug 48 | 21 Jul 48 | Dest. | -- |
| 86 | GENEVA | 23 Jan 47 | 25 Feb 47 | 2 Apr 48 | MC/R | 20 Oct 66 |
| 87 | NIAGARA | 12 Dec 46 | 23 Mar 49 | 5 Feb 50 | Sold | -- |
| 88 | PRESIDIO | 20 Jun 46 | 1 Aug 47 | 2 Sep 47 | MC/R | 16 Jun 65 |
Class Notes:
FY 1942 (APA 57-75), 1944 (others). On 8 Aug 42 the loss of a combat loaded transport, GEORGE F. ELLIOT (AP-13), off Guadalcanal underlined the risks of having too many troops and supplies in a single large hull. (This lesson was reinforced in November by the loss of five combat loaded APs and the disabling of a sixth in the Northern Africa invasions.) An additional problem with large transports was that no shipbuilding ways capable of building them to Navy designs would be available before 1 Aug 44. On 30 Sep 42 CominCh sent to VCNO tentative specifications for "small combat loaded transports" and "small combat loaded cargo vessels" and asked for preliminary designs. His 5,000-ton, 380-foot (wl) AP was to carry 30 officers and 600 troops (about half of a combat team), with 60,000 cubic feet of cargo at a sustained speed of 15 knots and was to have two sets of Welin davits per side and room for 15 landing craft. The AK was to be of the same size and speed but with more cargo and less troop capacity. BuShips submitted a preliminary design for the AP on 1 Nov 42.
On 28 Dec 42 CominCh referred to the JCS a program for 32 AP's and 32 AK's of the small combat-loaded type, pointing out that the converted ships then being used were too large (requiring excessive time for unloading), carried more troops than desired in individual combat units (concentrating troops and materials too much on the assault line), and had too much draft for use in many places where campaigns might take place. CominCh added that Navy officials, after considering a large transport design produced in September 1942 based on the DIXIE (AD-14) class of destroyer tenders, the intermediate DOYEN (AP-1) type (which also carried more troops than desired in a combat unit and had three feet too much draft), and the new small type, were unanimous in regarding the small type as the one "most suitable to all types of military requirements." The number of ships in the program was based on a calculation that the Navy would need 32 each of the small AP's and AK's to replace the 22 large APs and 8 large AKs that it expected to lose in 1943 and 1944. (A large AP had about 14/9ths the capacity of the small one while a large AK had about 4 times the capacity of the small type.) The Navy proposed that the Maritime Commission build the vessels.
On 8 Jan 43 the JCS approved the program for 32 small AP's and 32 small AK's and asked the MC if it could build the ships. The MC agreed on 17 Feb 43 and, upon receipt of a JCS directive of 25 Feb 43, contracted for the ships under its Military Program. The MC produced its S4-SE2-BD1 design, enlarged it to accommodate the only main propulsion machinery that was readily obtainable (a twin-screw turbo-electric plant), and presented it to the Navy on 25 Feb 43. This final design provided for a 6,000-ton, 400-foot (wl) APA that would carry 46 troop officers, 800 men, and 60,000 cubic feet of cargo at a sustained speed of 16.5 knots on a draft of at most 15.5 feet. The same hull and machinery designs were used for the AKA-21 class. On 10 Jan 44 the Auxiliary Vessels Board recommended acquiring the ships by transfer of title from the MC upon their completion. The ships were formally acquired by the Navy from the MC one day before commissioning except APA-58, 65, 66, and 83 (on commissioning date) and 72, 74 and 87 (2 days before commissioning). The tonnage of APA 57-75 was charged against the 1799 Vessels Emergency Construction Act of 6 Feb 42, hence their early FY date.
All except APA-72, 76, 78, 80, and 84 went to Pearl Harbor in early 1946 for use in the Bikini atomic bomb tests (Operation Crossroads). Of these 27 ships, two were sunk in the first test, twelve remained afloat but damaged and radioactive in the target array and were towed to Kwajalein for decommissioning, assessment and subsequent sinking, seven were present at Bikini outside the main target array and were re-manned after the test and remained in service, and six were decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the tests. APPLING (APA-58) was selected in late July or early August 1946 to be the "detector vessel" for a third test at Bikini (Test Charlie). She was to be fitted as LSM-60 had been for the second test to lower the bomb in a pressure chamber (a spare submarine conning tower) to the depth at which it would be detonated. Like LSM-60 she would have disappeared in the explosion, but Test Charlie was cancelled.
Ship Notes:
| APA | Name | MC# | Notes |
| 57 | GILLIAM | 1850 | Sunk at Bikini in the "Able" (air detonation) atomic bomb test. She was the ship nearest to the actual detonation point. |
| 58 | APPLING | 1851 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used to transport personnel during the first two tests. Selected circa late July 1946 as "Detector Vessel" for a third Bikini test, but the test was cancelled. To NDRF 1948. Repaired while inactive under the Emergency Ship Repair Program 13 Sep 54-27 Dec 54. To buyer 3 Sep 68, scrapped by 7 Aug 70. |
| 59 | AUDRAIN | 1852 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. To NDRF 1947. Repaired while inactive 29 Oct 54-13 Jan 55. To buyer 27 Nov 72. |
| 60 | BANNER | 1853 | Scuttled in deep water off Kwajalein after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests and after grounding at Kwajalein on 15 Feb 48. |
| 61 | BARROW | 1854 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by a submarine conducting weapons tests after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 62 | BERRIEN | 1855 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. To NDRF 1947. Repaired while inactive 11 Jul 55-28 Oct 55. To buyer 16 Aug 66, scrapped by 16 Dec 66. |
| 63 | BLADEN | 1856 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used as hotel for the "Baker" (second) test and remained in service. Retained in USN reserve at Norfolk for possible use in a conventional explosive test program (see NIAGARA, APA-87, below). To NDRF 1953. Deleted from Emergency Ship Repair Program because of damage. To buyer 3 Aug 55, scrapped by 13 Nov 56. |
| 64 | BRACKEN | 1857 | Scuttled in deep water off Kwajalein after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 65 | BRISCOE | 1858 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by DULUTH (CL-87) and ATLANTA (CL-104) after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 66 | BRULE | 1859 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by a submarine conducting weapons tests after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 67 | BURLESON | 1860 | Altered as an animal carrier and medical laboratory ship for the Bikini atomic bomb tests (retrieved animals from target ships for examination after both tests). Designated Sep 46 to be permanently moored at the new Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va. as a hulk for training troops, radiomen, and boat- and cargo-handling personnel. Carried on the disposal list until 21 Oct 52, then in service in reserve (out of commission, special). Reclassified IX-67 5 Oct 56 (making her the Navy's second IX-67). Redesignated an activity craft 8 Jun 64 (remained IX-67). Ship found unusable 1968 due deterioration. To buyer 20 Nov 68, scrapped by 1 Dec 69. |
| 68 | BUTTE | 1861 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by a submarine conducting weapons tests after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 69 | CARLISLE | 1862 | Sunk at Bikini in the "Able" (air detonation) atomic bomb test. |
| 70 | CARTERET | 1863 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by TOLEDO (CA-133) after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 71 | CATRON | 1864 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by DULUTH (CL-87) and ATLANTA (CL-104) after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 72 | CLARENDON | 1865 | Selected 11 Sep 45 for eventual conversion to surveying ship (AGS), conversion cancelled ca. Jan 46. To NDRF Jun 46. Transferred by MC to Army 30 Aug 46, out of NDRF 15 Oct 46, returned to NDRF by Army 5 Feb 47. Repaired while inactive 13 Sep 54-27 Oct 54. To buyer 11 Dec 63, scrapped by 16 Oct 64. |
| 73 | CLEBURNE | 1866 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. To NDRF 1947. Repaired while inactive 22 Aug 55-13 Dec 55. To buyer 13 Jul 65, scrapped by 5 Jul 66. |
| 74 | COLUSA | 1867 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. To NDRF 1947. Repaired while inactive 17 Jan 56-25 Apr 56. To buyer 31 Aug 65, scrapped by 2 Mar 66. |
| 75 | CORTLAND | 1868 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used as a hotel for the "Baker" (second) test and remained in service. To NDRF 1948. Repaired while inactive 13 Sep 54-27 Nov 54. To buyer 5 Aug 66, scrapped by 5 Aug 68. |
| 76 | CRENSHAW | 1869 | Selected 11 Sep 45 for eventual conversion to surveying ship (AGS), conversion cancelled ca. Jan 46. To NDRF Jun 46. Transferred by MC to Army 30 Aug 46, out of NDRF 14 Oct 46, returned to NDRF by Army 29 Jan 47. Repaired while inactive 18 Mar 55-23 May 55. To buyer 22 Dec 64, scrapped by 22 Apr 65. |
| 77 | CRITTENDEN | 1870 | Taken to Hunters Point, San Francisco for radiological, structural and decontamination studies after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. Sunk off Southern California in a demonstration for Army officers from Fort Leavenworth witnessing amphibious exercises. |
| 78 | CULLMAN | 1871 | Scheduled to go to Pearl Harbor for the Bikini atomic bomb tests but instead was decommissioned at Mare Island after a probable boiler fire. To NDRF 1946. Transfer to MC also reported as midnight 30 Jun 46. Repaired while inactive 27 Dec 55-28 Mar 56 and 13 Jan 58-7 Mar 58. To buyer 28 Sep 65, scrapped by 10 Nov 65. |
| 79 | DAWSON | 1872 | Sunk off Kwajalein as a target by HELENA (CA-75) after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 80 | ELKHART | 1873 | Selected 11 Sep 45 for eventual conversion to surveying ship (AGS), conversion cancelled ca. Jan 46. To NDRF 1946. Repaired while inactive 12 Dec 55-3 Feb 56. To buyer 12 Feb 64, scrapped by 15 Jun 64. |
| 81 | FALLON | 1874 | Scuttled in deep water off Kwajalein after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. |
| 82 | FERGUS | 1875 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. Retained at Pearl Harbor for possible use in a conventional explosive test program. To NDRF 1947. To buyer 26 Jul 65, scrapped by 14 Jan 66. |
| 83 | FILLMORE | 1876 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used as a hotel for the "Baker" (second) test and remained in service. To NDRF 1948. Repaired while inactive 18 Jan 55-23 Jun 55. To buyer 5 Oct 66, scrapped by 9 Jun 67. |
| 84 | GARRARD | 1877 | Selected 11 Sep 45 for eventual conversion to surveying ship (AGS), conversion cancelled ca. Jan 46. To NDRF Jun 46. Transferred by MC to Army 30 Aug 46, out of NDRF 14 Oct 46, returned to NDRF by Army 31 Jan 47. Repaired while inactive 16 Jan 56-27 Mar 56. To buyer 3 Jun 65, scrapped by 29 Sep 65. |
| 85 | GASCONADE | 1878 | Taken to Hunters Point, San Francisco for radiological and structural study after being damaged in the July 1946 Bikini atomic bomb tests. Sunk by torpedoes during fleet exercises off southern California. |
| 86 | GENEVA | 1879 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used as a hotel for the "Baker" (second) test and remained in service. To NDRF 1947. Repaired while inactive 18 Apr 55-6 Jul 55. To buyer 2 Nov 66, scrapped by 17 Jan 67. |
| 87 | NIAGARA | 1880 | At the Bikini atomic bomb tests, used as a hotel for the "Baker" (second) test and remained in service. Used with the partially-completed REPRISAL (CV-35) and NEWARK (CL-108) as a target for special conventional explosives in Chesapeake Bay. Sold by USN, delivered to buyer 5 Feb 50. |
| 88 | PRESIDIO | 1881 | Decommissioned at Pearl Harbor before the Bikini atomic bomb tests. To NDRF 1947 (Navy records show her as delivered to the reserve fleet at Suisun on 2 Sep 47, while MC records show her as entering this fleet on 27 Sep 47). To buyer 26 Jul 65, scrapped by 12 Nov 65. |
Page Notes:
APA 1943
Compiled: 12 May 2007
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2002-2007