USS Regulus (AF 57) on 8 December 1955. She had two more twin 3"/50 mounts on the bow, also on the centerline.
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Class: DENEBOLA (AF 56, VC2-S-AP3)
Design: SCB Project No. 57, conversion of MC VC2-S-AP3
Displacement (tons): 6,700 light, 11,900 full
Dimensions (feet): 455' oa, 437' wl x 62' e/wl x 24' max nav
Armament: (AF 56-57): 4-3"/50T; (AF 56-57: 1965) 2-3"/50T; (T-AF 63-64): none
Accommodations: 17 officers, 277 enlisted
Speed (kts.): 17
Propulsion (HP): 8,500
Machinery: Geared steam turbines, 2 boilers (465psi/750deg), 1 screw
Construction:
| AF | Name | Acq | Builder | Keel | Launch | Comm/Svc |
| 56 | DENEBOLA | 3 May 1952 | Oregon SB | 2 May 1944 | 10 Jun 1944 | 20 Jan 1954/C |
| 57 | REGULUS | 5 May 1952 | Oregon SB | 29 Apr 1944 | 7 Jun 1944 | 3 Feb 1954/C |
| 63 | ASTERION | 7 Nov 1961 | California SB | 10 Jun 1944 | 27 Jul 1944 | Sep 1962/S |
| 64 | PERSEUS | 7 Nov 1961 | Oregon SB | 30 Mar 1945 | 11 May 1945 | Sep 1962/S |
Disposition:
| AF | Name | T | Decomm/Cust | Strike | Disposal | Fate | MA Sale |
| 56 | DENEBOLA | 30 Apr 1976/D | 30 Apr 1976 | 17 Nov 1976 | MA/S | -- | |
| 57 | REGULUS | 10 Sep 1971/D | 10 Sep 1971 | 17 Aug 1971 | Lost | -- | |
| 63 | ASTERION | T | 8 Jun 1973/C | 15 Jun 1973 | 31 Aug 1973 | MA/S | -- |
| 64 | PERSEUS | T | Jun 1973/C | 15 Jun 1973 | 31 Aug 1973 | MA/S | -- |
Class Notes:
The Navy initially planned to include two more R2-S-BV1 conversions like AF 55 in the FY 1952 shipbuilding and conversion program, but by September 1951 CNO had decided to convert two VC2-S-AP2 type Victory ships instead. HIBBING VICTORY and ESCANABA VICTORY, both of the more powerful VC2-S-AP3 type, were ultimately designated for the conversion. The Navy contracted with George G. Sharp of New York to produce contract plans and specifications for the conversions based on the SCB 57 conversion of the Maritime Commission R2-S-BV1 design for AF 55. Sharp submitted the requested contract plans and specifications on 14 November 1951. On 15 December 1951 the names DENEBOLA and REGULUS and designations AF 56 and AF 57 were approved for the two ships. On 15 February 1952 the Navy contracted with Sharp to prepare the plans for the conversions, and soon afterwards a contract was concluded with Todd Shipyards Corp. to perform them. The ships were expected to arrive in New York about 15 April 1952 at which time they were to be redelivered to MARAD by the commercial firms then operating them under charter and then delivered by MARAD to the Commandant of the Third Naval District for transfer to the conversion yards. Approved characteristics for the AF conversion, SCB Project No. 57, which had originally been approved by CNO on 27 October 1950, were reissued on 26 November 1952 (still referring to the R2-S-BV1) with a single change on 28 July 1954. DENEBOLA and REGULUS originally had four twin 3"/50 mounts on the centerline, two forward and two aft, but their after mounts were soon replaced by a flight deck.
Commander MSTS on 29 September 1961 requested approval for the acquisition of two Victory ships for conversion to MSTS reefer ships (without the armament and other military features of AF 56-57). The Commerce Department on 25 October 1961 authorized the transfer of two Victory ships from the National Defense Reserve Fleet to the Navy. Bids for activation and conversion of the ships were solicited nationwide, and as a result MSTS informed CNO on 2 November 1961 that it had selected ARCADIA VICTORY (MCV 41) and UNION VICTORY (MCV 683). On 4 December 1961 SECNAV assigned to them respectively the new classifications and names ASTERION (AF 63) and PERSEUS (AF 64). After their MSTS service, ASTERION and PERSEUS briefly went to MSC RRF (MA temporary custody in MSC ready status) between 2 April (8 June for ASTERION) and 15 June 1973 before final inactivation.
Ship Notes:
| AF | Name | MCV | Notes |
| 56 | DENEBOLA | 113 | FY 1952 (Conv). Ex HIBBING VICTORY (completed 30 Jun 1944). Converted by Todd, Brooklyn. Title to Navy 31 May 1956. Title to MA and buyer when sold by MA 17 Nov 1976. |
| 57 | REGULUS | 112 | FY 1952 (Conv). Ex ESCANABA VICTORY (completed 29 Jun 1944). Converted by Todd, Brooklyn. Title to Navy 31 May 1956. Blown ashore on Kau I Island in a typhoon at Hong Kong 17 Aug 1971 and broken in half, decomm. 10 Sep 1971 and BU in place. |
| 63 | ASTERION | 41 | FY 1962 (Acq). Ex ARCADIA VICTORY (completed 3 Sep 1944). On list 4 Dec 1961. Converted by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Ore. Completed last voyage at Yokohama and to MA custody there 8 Jun 1973. To buyer 18 Sep 1973. |
| 64 | PERSEUS | 683 | FY 1962 (Acq). Ex UNION VICTORY (completed 8 Jun 1945). On list 4 Dec 1961. Converted by Willamette Iron & Steel, Portland, Ore. To buyer 20 Sep 1973. |
Page Notes:
Compiled: 22 Jul 2021
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2021
Special sources: NARA: RG 19 Entry P 62 Box 7, RG 19 Entry UD 1024-A Box 1.