USS Pocomoke (AV-9)
USS Pocomoke (AV-9) off San Francisco, May 1943
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| History | |
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| Name: | USS Pocomoke |
| Builder: | Ingalls Shipbuilding |
| Laid down: | 14 August 1939 |
| Launched: | 8 June 1940, as SS Exchequer |
| Acquired: | 16 October 1940 |
| Commissioned: | 18 July 1941, as USS Pocomoke (AV-9) |
| Decommissioned: | 10 July 1946 |
| Struck: | 1 June 1961 |
| Fate: | Sold, 12 December 1961 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Pocomoke-class seaplane tender |
| Displacement: | 8,950 long tons (9,094 t) |
| Length: | 492 ft (150 m) |
| Beam: | 69 ft 6 in (21.18 m) |
| Draft: | 21 ft 2 in (6.45 m) |
| Propulsion: | Steam turbine, 8,500 hp (6,338 kW), 1 shaft |
| Speed: | 17 knots (20 mph; 31 km/h) |
| Complement: | 689 |
| Armament: |
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| Service record | |
| Part of: |
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| Awards: | 2 Battle stars for World War II |
USS Pocomoke (AV-9) was a Pocomoke-class seaplane tender, originally built as the SS Exchequer and acquired by the U.S. Navy as the military build-up occurred in the United States just prior to World War II. She operated principally in the Pacific Theatre of the war and serviced military seaplanes. At war’s end, she returned to the United States with two battle stars.
She was built on 14 August 1939 by Ingalls Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company, Pascagoula, Mississippi, for the Maritime Commission; launched 8 June 1940; sponsored by Mrs. Max O. Truitt; acquired by the Navy 16 October 1940; and following conversion commissioned 18 July 1941, Comdr. L. T. Hundt in command.
When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Pocomoke was attached to Task Group 4.3 of the Support Force, Atlantic Fleet, stationed at Argentia, Newfoundland. She tended two patrol planes which scouted waters approaching the harbor searching for German U-boats which threatened convoys carrying desperately needed war material to England. On 9 January 1942 she departed Argentia en route to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, where she entered the yard for alterations.
Following training and exercises she departed Boston, Massachusetts, 21 May for Argentia to act as flagship for Commander, Task Force 24, and tender for Commander, Patrol Wing 7. Returning to Boston 15 August, she proceeded via Norfolk to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She discharged cargo there and at Trinidad, and steamed back to Norfolk 8 October.
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