USS Virgo (AKA-20)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Name: | USS Virgo |
| Builder: | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey |
| Laid down: | 9 March 1943 |
| Launched: | 4 June 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 16 July 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | 1 July 1961 |
| Recommissioned: | 19 August 1966 |
| Decommissioned: | 18 February 1971 |
| Reclassified: | AE-30, 1 November 1965 |
| Struck: | 18 February 1971 |
| Honors and awards: |
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| Fate: | Sold for scrapping, 19 November 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Andromeda-class attack cargo ship |
| Displacement: | 13,910 long tons (14,133 t) full load |
| Length: | 459 ft 3 in (139.98 m) |
| Beam: | 63 ft (19 m) |
| Draft: | 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m) |
| Speed: | 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph) |
| Complement: | 473 |
| Armament: |
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USS Virgo (AKA-20) was an Andromeda class attack cargo ship of the United States Navy, named after the constellation Virgo. She was later converted to an ammunition ship and redesignated as (AE-30). She served as a commissioned ship for 22 years and 4 months.
Virgo (AKA-20) was laid down on 9 March 1943 at Kearny, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 204); launched on 4 June 1943; sponsored by Miss Sharman Douglas; delivered to the Navy on 15 July 1943; and commissioned at the New York Navy Yard on 16 July 1943, Comdr. Clayton H. McLaughlin in command.
Virgo conducted her shakedown training in the Chesapeake Bay and off the Virginia Capes in July and August and then departed Norfolk on 24 August, bound for the Pacific. She transited the Panama Canal on 31 August and arrived in San Diego, California, on 9 September. On the 15th, she continued her voyage west. The attack cargo ship entered Pearl Harbor on 21 September and began cargo operations — unloading some and taking on more. Virgo stood out of Pearl Harbor on 24 September and set a course for New Zealand. She arrived in Wellington on 6 October and began a series of landing craft exercises. The ship remained at Wellington until 1 November at which time she got underway for the New Hebrides Islands. She arrived in Hayannah Harbor at the island of Efate to conduct training and make preparations for the forthcoming Gilberts and Marshalls invasions.
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