USSOctans
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Builder | Workman Clark Belfast |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Launched | in 1917 as SSUlua |
| Acquired | 8 May 1943 |
| Commissioned | 11 June 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 6 March 1946 |
| Stricken | 20 March 1946 |
| Fate | Scrapped 1948 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 11,030 t.(fl) |
| Length | 440 ft (130 m) |
| Beam | 54 ft 4 in (16.56 m) |
| Draught | 26 ft 2 in (7.98 m) |
| Propulsion | Reciprocating engines, twin screws, 6,000hp |
| Speed | 13.5 kts. (max) |
| Complement | 227 |
| Armament | one single5 in (130 mm)dual purposegun mount,four3 in (76 mm)dual purpose guns, eight20 mmguns |
USS Octans (AF-26)was astores shipacquired by theU.S. Navyfor service inWorld War II,named after the constellationOctans.She was responsible for delivering necessary goods and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone.
Octans(AF–26) was built asSSUluain 1917 byWorkman Clarkand Co., Ltd.,Belfast;acquired by the Navy 8 May 1943 under charter through theWar Shipping Administrationfrom her owner, theUnited FruitCo.; and commissioned 11 June.
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
[edit]Following two weeks of fitting out atOakland, California,OctansdepartedSan Francisco Bayon 25 June 1943, bound forNoumea,New Caledonia.Arriving there 17 July, she took up her mission of transporting fresh and frozen provisions fromNew ZealandandAustralianports to ships and bases located in theSolomons,theAdmiralties,andNew Guinea.
Transporting wounded soldiers
[edit]During an availability atSydney, Australia,in November 1944, another capability and task was added with the installation of a 30-bed sick bay. On succeeding trips to Australia from more-advanced bases, wounded soldiers and sailors were transferred from the battle areas to recovery havens.
Shooting down a Japanese plane in the Philippines
[edit]From that time also,Octansbegan to range farther to the north as she made supply trips toLeyte,Mindoro,andLuzon.While returning fromLeyte Gulfon 1 January 1945, she was credited with downing one of a number ofJapaneseplanes which attacked her convoy.
Post-war activity
[edit]With almost two years of supply duty behind her,Octansreturned to theU.S. West Coastfor a brief overhaul, arriving at Oakland 15 May. Seven weeks later, following a stop inSeattle, Washington,for provisions, she again crossed thePacific Ocean,arriving atManilaon 13 August. After two more trips to Australia, the stores ship made deliveries toShanghai,China,and departed 29 December for theUnited States.
Post-war decommissioning
[edit]Octanssailed to theU.S. East Coastand arrived inBaltimore, Maryland,on 20 February 1946. Decommissioning on 6 March, she was returned to her owner the same day and struck from theNavy Liston 20 March.
Military awards and honors
[edit]Octans’crew members were authorized the following medals:
- China Service Medal (Extended)[1]
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Philippines Liberation Medal
References
[edit]
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.The entry can be foundhere.
- ^"Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual NAVPERS 15,790".Transcribed by HyperWar Foundation. 1953. p. 201.Retrieved24 March2014.
External links
[edit]