Grommet Reefer (AF 53, C1-M-AV1) Class

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USAT Grommet Reefer in 1948 at Seattle.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class: GROMMET REEFER (AF 53, C1-M-AV1)
Design: MC R1-M-AV3 (refrigerated) ex C1-M-AV1
Displacement (tons): 3,277 light, 8,360 full
Dimensions (feet): 339' oa, 320' wl x 50' e/wl x 21'
Armament: none
Accommodations: 11 officers, 28 enlisted
Speed (kts.): 10
Propulsion (HP): 1,700
Machinery: Diesel, 1 screw

Construction:

AF	Name	Acq	Builder	Keel	Launch	Svc
53	GROMMET REEFER	1 Mar 1950	Walter Butler SB, Duluth	1 Jan 1944	29 Jul 1944	1 Mar 1950

Disposition:

AF	Name	T	Inact	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale/Depart
53	GROMMET REEFER	T	--	20 Oct 1953	15 Dec 1952	Lost	23 Jul 1953

Class Notes:
AF 53 was among the Army ships operating out of continental US ports that were to be acquired on 1 Mar 1950 for which names, classification, and hull numbers were approved on 21 Feb 1950. She was acquired on 23 February 1950 effective 1 March 1950 and was assigned the status "Active, In service" in MSTS on 24 February 1950 . She was shifted from the Northern Pacific to the Atlantic in February 1952.

Ship Notes:

AF	Name	MC	Notes
53	GROMMET REEFER	2243	Launched as KENNETH E GRUENNERT of the C1-M-AV1 type, completed 9 Dec 1944, renamed GROMMET REEFER 1945 and redesignated R1-M-AV3. Delivered to commercial operator at New Orleans 31 May 1945. To Army 23 Sep 1948. To MSTS 1 Mar 1950. Heavy seas and hight winds caused her to drag anchor, go aground, and later break in half near Leghorn, Italy, on 15 December 1952. Bow raised followed by stern, declared constructive total loss 18 Mar 1953, sold 4 Jun 1953, to MA and sale completed 23 Jul 1953.