USS Regulus (AF-57)

Regulus replenishing USS America, in 1970
History
United States
Name:	Escanaba (1944-1952) *Regulus (1952-1971
Namesake:	Escanaba, Michigan *Regulus constellation
Owner:	War Shipping Administration (1944-1952) * US Navy (1952-1971)
Operator:	American South African Line (1944-1948) * North American Shipping Company (1948-1950) * US Navy (1952-1971)
Ordered:	as SS Escanaba Victory VC-2-S-AP3 hull, MCV hull 112
Laid down:	29 April 1944
Launched:	7 June 1944
Acquired:	5 May 1952
Commissioned:	3 February 1954
Decommissioned:	10 September 1971
Renamed:	Regulus 1952
Struck:	10 September 1971
Fate:	grounded on a reef, damaged beyond economical repair
General characteristics
Displacement:	4,960 tons(lt) 10,850 tons(fl)
Length:	455 ft 3 in (138.76 m)
Beam:	62 ft (19 m)
Draught:	28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
Propulsion:	geared gas turbine, single propeller, 8,500 shp
Speed:	16 kts.
Complement:	250
Armament:	four twin 3'/50 dual purpose gun mounts

USS Regulus (AF-57) was a Denebola-class stores ship acquired by the United States Navy. Her task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet, and to remote stations and staging areas.

The second vessel to be named Regulus by the Navy, Regulus was built under United States Maritime Commission contract under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She was laid down as SS Escanaba Victory (MCV hull 112) by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon, 29 April 1944; launched 7 June 1944. She sponsored by Mrs. Aubrey D. Day; and delivered to the Maritime Commission 29 June 1944.

SS Escanaba Victory serviced as a supply cargo ship for World War II. She was operated by the American South African Line under the US Maritime Commission. She served in the Pacific War and participating in the landings on Leyte. Escanaba Victory supported troops in the Leyte landings from 18 Oct. 19944 to 29 Nov. 1944. She earned battle stars for use of her deck guns in defending herself and other US ships. In 1948 she was laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Wilmington, North Carolina. In 1950 she was removed from the Reserve Fleet and repaired. She was operated by the North American Shipping Company for the Maritime Commission to deliver supplies to Korea for the Korean War. The SS Escanaba Victory transported goods, mail, food and other supplies. About 90 percent of the cargo was moved by merchant marine naval to the war zone. SS Escanaba Victory made trips to Korea between 1950 to 1952, helping American forces engaged against Communist aggression in South Korea.