USNS T-AKL 17.
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Class: AKL 17 (T-AKL 17, FS DESIGN 381 PART 2)
Design: Army Design 381 (176', steel)
Displacement (tons): 500 light, 935 full. Other light: (24) 555; (26-28) 580, (IX 308) 526
Dimensions (feet): 177' oa, 172' wl x 32' e x 10' max nav; (IX 308) 164' wl
Armament: none; (AKL 28: 1969) 2-20mmT
Accommodations: 7-10 officers, 13-16 unlicensed; (32) 10/32; (IX 308) 8/16
Speed (kts.): 12
Propulsion (HP): 1,000
Machinery: Geared diesel, 2 screws
Construction:
| AKL | Name | Acq | Builder | Contract | Completed | Svc |
| 15-16 | AKL 15-16, see FS Design 330 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 17 | T-AKL 17 (NEW BEDFORD) | 1 Mar 1950 | Wheeler SB, Brooklyn | 24 Apr 1943 | ca Mar 1945 | 1 Mar 1950 |
| 18-20 | AKL 18-20, see FS Design 330 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 21 | T-AKL 21 | 1 Jul 1950 | Wheeler SB, Brooklyn | 24 Apr 1943 | 8 Jul 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 22 | T-AKL 22 | 1 Jul 1950 | Wheeler SB, Brooklyn | 24 Apr 1943 | 9 Nov 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 23 | T-AKL 23 | 1 Jul 1950 | Wheeler SB, Brooklyn | 24 Apr 1943 | 28 Feb 1945 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 24 | T-AKL 24 | 1 Jul 1950 | J H Mathis, Camden | 24 Apr 1943 | 1 Mar 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 25 | T-AKL 25 (BANNER) | 1 Jul 1950 | Kewaunee SB/Engg | 30 Sep 1943 | 31 Jul 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 26 | T-AKL 26 | 1 Jul 1950 | Sturgeon Bay SB/DD | 24 Apr 1943 | 6 Jul 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 27 | T-AKL 27 | 1 Jul 1950 | Sturgeon Bay SB/DD | 24 Apr 1943 | 31 Jul 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 28 | T-AKL 28 (BRULE) | 1 Jul 1950 | Sturgeon Bay SB/DD | 24 Apr 1943 | 28 Jul 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 29 | T-AKL 29 | 1 Jul 1950 | Sturgeon Bay SB/DD | 24 Apr 1943 | 19 Aug 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 30 | T-AKL 30 | 1 Jul 1950 | Ingalls SB, Decatur | 23 Sep 1943 | 28 Feb 1945 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 31 | T-AKL 31 | 1 Jul 1950 | Hickinbotham Bros, Stockton | 24 Apr 1943 | 30 Dec 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
| 32 | T-AKL 32 | 1 Jul 1950 | United Concrete Pipe, Los Angeles | 24 Apr 1943 | 30 Oct 1944 | 1 Jul 1950 |
Disposition:
| AKL | Name | T | Inact | Strike | Disposal | Fate | MA Sale |
| 17 | T-AKL 17 (NEW BEDFORD) | T | 1963 | 4 Apr 1995 | 11 Jun 1996 | Navy sale | -- |
| 21 | T-AKL 21 | T | Jun 1952 | 1 Apr 1959 | 18 Mar 1960 | Navy sale | -- |
| 22 | T-AKL 22 | T | May 1953 | 1 Jul 1961 | 19 Jun 1962 | Navy sale | -- |
| 23 | T-AKL 23 | T | May 1953 | 1 Apr 1959 | 29 Jun 1960 | Navy sale | -- |
| 24 | T-AKL 24 | T | ca 1959 | 1 Feb 1959 | 23 Jun 1960 | Navy sale | -- |
| 25 | T-AKL 25 (BANNER) | T | See AGER 1 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 26 | T-AKL 26 | T | Jul 1954 | 1 Apr 1960 | 19 Sep 1960 | Navy sale | -- |
| 27 | T-AKL 27 | T | Feb 1958 | 17 Apr 1966 | 17 Jun 1971 | Navy sale | -- |
| 28 | T-AKL 28 (BRULE) | T | 1 Nov 1971 | 15 Nov 1974 | 1 Nov 1971 | Trf | -- |
| 29 | T-AKL 29 | T | Jul 1960 | 1 Aug 1960 | 9 Nov 1960 | Navy sale | -- |
| 30 | T-AKL 30 | T | Sep 1954 | 1 Jul 1961 | 31 Oct 1961 | Navy sale | -- |
| 31 | T-AKL 31 | T | 1970 | 21 Dec 1970 | 6 May 1971 | Trf | -- |
| 32 | T-AKL 32 | T | May 1953 | 1 Jul 1961 | 20 Mar 1962 | Navy sale | -- |
Class Notes:
Design 381 was the basic Army 176' FS type, built at 11 yards with Wheeler SB Corp of Brooklyn probably the lead yard. They included FS 253-292, 309-319, 343-356, 361-374, 383-400, 404-411, 524-529, 546-550, and 552-554. FS 368-370 were of Design 381A, a refrigerated variant, and became AKL 26-28. AKL 15-17 were 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. AKL 18-32 were among the Army ships then operating under commands in the Far East that were to be transferred to the Navy about 1 July 1950 for which names, classification, and hull numbers were approved on 7 Jun 1950. Of these, FS 345 (CAPT WILLIAM W GALT), later T-AKL 25 (BANNER), was in Army service in the Antilles in Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies.
BANNER and BRULE received names when they were transferred from MSTS and commissioned in the regular navy in 1952. On 21 August 1961 Commander MSTS Atlantic Area wrote that for about four years USNS T-AKL 17 had been employed in the logistic support of the Texas Towers and recommended that to maintain crew morale the ship be given a name. He recommended the name NEW BEDFORD after the ship's home port. Commander MSTS concurred four days later, but the matter then languished until Commander MSTS sent CNO a naval message on 19 October 1961 saying that the ship was due to receive a smart ship award on 24 October and he wanted to combine the renaming ceremony with it. CNO responded on 23 October with a phone call and naval message approving the name change and followed up with the usual paper notice, also dated 23 October.
Ship Notes:
| AKL | Name | MA | Notes |
| 17 | T-AKL 17 (NEW BEDFORD) | (ex-FS 289, compl. 1944). Admin control from MSTS Balboa (Canal Zone) to MSTS Atlantic Area 19 Apr 1957, used to resupply from New Bedford three Air Force Texas Towers off Cape Cod, Nantucket, and New Jersey, of which the latter collapsed into the sea during a storm on 15 Jan 1961. Named NEW BEDFORD 23 Oct 1961 (ceremony on board 20 Nov 1961). CNO on 29 July 1963 directed transfer to the Naval Torpedo Station at Keyport, Wash., for use as a torpedo range vessel, ship arrived at Keyport and transferred by MSTS 26 Aug 1963, name cancelled and ship designated equipment same date. Converted to mother ship for torpedo retrievers by Western Boat Building Co, Tacoma, Wash, Nov 1963, struck 26 Nov 1963. Re-designated as "activity craft" with the Keyport torpedo station as her user activity 4 Feb 1964. Reinstated on the list in Feb 1969 as IX 308 with name NEW BEDFORD as a torpedo test firing vessel. Out of service 28 Oct 1994, stricken 4 Apr 1995, sold 11 Jun 1996 by DRMS for further use. Later merc. GHOST, Tuna longliner SEA BIRD out of San Diego by May 2007. | |
| 21 | T-AKL 21 | (ex-FS 259, compl. 8 Jul 1944) (ex-PVT ROBERT T HENRY). In Army service at Panama in Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. In USN reserve 1952-59 (in service in reserve at Orange, Texas, to 1956). On Navy sale list Apr 1959. Merc. KIRK STAR and NORTHUMBERLAND (converted to trawler). Hit a gas pipeline, blew up and sank off Sabine, Tex., 3 Oct 1989. | |
| 22 | T-AKL 22 | (ex-FS 276, compl. 9 Nov 1944). In Army storage in Japan Aug 1949. In USN reserve 1952-61. Sale list Jul 1961. Sold to Peter Pan Seafoods, Inc, of Seattle, to buyer 29 Jun 1962, Kuwaiti shrimp processing ship DASMAN 10, 1963. | |
| 23 | T-AKL 23 | (ex-FS 288, compl. 28 Feb 1945). In Army service in the Philippines Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. In USN reserve 1952-59. On Navy sale list Apr 1959. Later merc. PUERTO ACAPULCO 1961, then CHILPANCINGO (Mexican). Wrecked in Baja California 31 Aug 1967. | |
| 24 | T-AKL 24 | (ex-FS 309, compl. 1 Mar 1944). To Navy reserve 9 Feb 1959, on Navy sale list Feb 1959. Offered for sale 25 Mar 1960 with bids to be opened 25 Apr 1960. Merc. PRESIDENT OSMENA (Philippine President Lines) 1961, finally GEMINI 1967. Deleted after 1980. | |
| 25 | T-AKL 25 (BANNER) | (ex-FS 345, compl. 31 Jul 1944) (ex-CAPT WILLIAM W GALT). Transferred from MSTS to USN 11 Sep 1952 and commissioned as BANNER 1952. Converted to environmental research ship at NSY Puget Sound Aug-Oct 1965 and reclassified AGER 1 (q.v.) effective 1 Jun 1967. | |
| 26 | T-AKL 26 | (ex-FS 368, compl. 6 Jul 1944). Design 381A (refrigerated variant). In Army service at Hawaii Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. In USN reserve 1954-60. On disposal list Mar 1960, first reported sold Apr 1960. Merc. NEW PROVIDENCE 1961, TEMAC 1964, NEW PROVIDENCE 1967, wrecked off Cat Is., Bahamas, 5 Feb 1975. | |
| 27 | T-AKL 27 | (ex-FS 369, compl. 31 Jul 1944). Design 381A (refrigerated variant). In Army service at Hawaii Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. In USN reserve 1958-66. Stricken by CNO letter of 22 Apr 1966 effective 27 Apr 1966. Hulk used as salvage training device 1966-1971. Sold 1971 to Mitsui & Co., to buyer 1 Jul 1971. | |
| 28 | T-AKL 28 (BRULE) | (ex-FS 370, compl 28 Jul 1944). Design 381A (refrigerated variant). In Army service at Hawaii Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. Transferred from MSTS to USN 8 Aug 1952 and commissioned as BRULE on 31 Oct 1952 for service in the Marianas based on Guam. Out of comm. and in service 6 Dec 1956 for use as a shuttle vessel between Subic Bay and Sangley Point, Philippines (also made two trips to Hong Kong). Recomm. 1 Sep 1965 to provide provisions to mother ships tending the small craft conducting riverine warfare operations in and around the Mekong Delta. Decomm. and leased 1 Nov 1971 to South Korea as UL SAN or ULSAN (AKL 910), sold to South Korea Nov 1974. Deleted 1982, name already given to a new frigate c1980. | |
| 29 | T-AKL 29 | (ex-FS 371, compl. 19 Aug 1944). In Army service in Japan Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. To reserve for disposal 30 Jun 1960. First reported sold May 1960. Merc. MENARA MAS 1961, finally KING TOWER 1966. BU at Singapore Feb 1972. | |
| 30 | T-AKL 30 | (ex-FS 400, compl. 28 Feb 1945). In Army service in Japan Aug 1949 for intra-theater distribution of supplies. In USN reserve 1954-61. On Navy sale list Jul 1961. Custody transferred 31 Oct 1961 and title transferred 28 Dec 1961 to the Seattle Biological Laboratory of the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, Department of the Interior, as GEORGE B KELEZ (refrigerated). To NOAA 1970-80. Training ship EARL "BULL" SHEPARD of the Seafarers Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship 1982-1994, fishing vessel CROYANCE 1994, REST EXPRESS 1997, MON REPOS 1998, MONREPOS EXPRESS 1999, CROYANCE 2005, renovated 2006 into menhaden seiner SMUGGLERS POINT, at Reedville, VA, in Nov 2022. | |
| 31 | T-AKL 31 | (ex-FS 407, compl. 30 Dec 1944). Stricken 21 Dec 1970 with AG 335 (ex LSM 335) for transfer to the Trust Territory Government of the Pacific Islands for use as additions to their inter-island fleet. Custody transferred on 6 May 1971 by COMSCFE to the Department of the Interior at Naha, Okinawa. Renamed ROBERT A DEBRUM 1971, BU 1982. | |
| 32 | T-AKL 32 | (ex-FS 548, compl. 30 Oct 1944). In Army storage in Japan Aug 1949. In USN reserve 1952-61. Sale list Jul 1961, merc. CARLOS MIGUEL (Colombian) 1961, TANGIER ISLAND (at Reedville, Va., probably a menhaden seiner) 1970. |
Page Notes:
Compiled: 8 Aug 2021
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2021
Special sources: Miramar Ship Index (https://www.miramarshipindex.nz/)