USNS Private Frank J. Petrarca (T-AK-250)

USNS Private Frank J. Petrarca (T-AK-250) was a US Maritime Administration (MARCOM) C1-M-AV1 type coastal cargo ship, originally planned as an Alamosa-class cargo ship. Constructed as Long Splice for MARCOM, completed in September 1945 and placed in operation by the War Shipping Administration (WSA) during the closing period of World War II. However, the war ended, and she was transferred to the US Army as USAT Private Frank J. Petrarca who kept her in service until transferred to the US Navy in 1950.

USNS Private Frank J. Petrarca (T-AK-250), moored, date and location unknown.
History
United States
Name: Long Splice
Namesake: Long splice
Ordered: as type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2329[1]
Builder: Consolidated Steel Corporation, Long Beach, California
Yard number: 1234[1]
Laid down: 18 April 1945
Launched: 7 August 1945
Sponsored by: Mrs. Eloi J. Amar
Commissioned: delivered to the Maritime Commission (MARCOM) prior to commissioning, 20 September 1945
Identification:
Fate: transferred to the War Shipping Administration (WSA)
United States
Name: Private Frank J. Petrarca
Namesake: Frank J. Petrarca, awarded the Medal of Honor
Owner: WSA
Operator: US Army
Acquired: 3 October 1946
In service: 3 October 1946
Out of service: 1 March 1950
Fate: transferred to the US Navy, 1 March 1950
United States
Name: Private Frank J. Petrarca
Owner: US Navy
Operator: Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS)
Acquired: 1 March 1950
In service: 1 March 1950
Out of service: 9 April 1959
In service: 7 April 1960
Stricken: 15 October 1973
Identification: Hull symbol: T-AK-250
Fate: sold, 28 December 1977
United States
Name:
  • Artic Producer
  • Artic Enterprise
Owner:
  • General Auto Wrecking Company
  • Trident Seafoods Company
Acquired: 28 December 1977
Renamed: 1991
Identification:
Fate: converted to Fish Factory Ship
Status: Active as of 2013
General characteristics [2]
Class and type: Alamosa-class cargo ship
Type: C1-M-AV1
Tonnage: 5,032 long tons deadweight (DWT)[1]
Displacement:
  • 2,382 long tons (2,420 t) (standard)
  • 7,450 long tons (7,570 t) (full load)
Length: 388 ft 8 in (118.47 m)
Beam: 50 ft (15 m)
Draft: 21 ft 1 in (6.43 m)
Installed power:
Propulsion: 1 × propeller
Speed: 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity:
  • 3,945 t (3,883 long tons) DWT
  • 9,830 cu ft (278 m3) (refrigerated)
  • 227,730 cu ft (6,449 m3) (non-refrigerated)
Complement:
  • 15 Officers
  • 70 Enlisted

Construction

Long Splice was laid down under MARCOM contract, MC hull 2329, by the Consolidated Steel Corporation, Ltd., Long Beach, California, 18 April 1945; launched 8 July 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Eloi J. Amar; and delivered to the MARCOM, thence to Lykes Brothers, 20 September 1945.[3]

As Long Splice, the cargo ship was operated by Lykes Brothers under General Agency Agreement until returned to the MARCOM and transferred to the War Department, 29 August 1946.[3]

US Army service

Renamed Private Frank J. Petrarca, 31 October 1947, she operated with the Army Transportation Service (ATS) until again transferred, to the Navy, 1 July 1950.[3]

US Navy service

Placed in service, with the designation T–AK–250 on 6 July 1950, she was assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and served the Mid-Pacific Ocean area until 1959.[3]

Between 9 April 1959 and 4 July 1960, the AK was laid up at Suisun Bay, California, as a unit of the Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet.[3]

Reacquired by the Navy on the latter date, she was again assigned to MSTS, under which she resumed cargo carrying duties between Pacific Ocean ports. In 1962, she participated in a cost and feasibility study of year round ocean service in Alaskan waters.[3]

Antarctic service

Four years later, she delivered supplies to McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, to support Deep Freeze ‘66. In accomplishing that mission she became the first cargo ship to be so employed without benefit of an ice-strengthened hull. Since that time, into 1970, Private Frank J. Petrarca continued to carry vital supplies and equipment, particularly to southeast Asia, for MSTS, Pacific.[3]

Final inactivation

She was struck from the Navy List on 15 October 1973 and subsequently sold on 1 December 1977.

Notes
    Citations
    1. C1 Cargo Ships 2009.
    2. Navsource 2015.
    3. DANFS 2015.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

    • "Private Frank J. Petrarca". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
    • "C1 Cargo Ships". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
    • "USNS Private Frank J. Petrarca (T-AK-250)". Navsource.org. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
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    • Photo gallery of USNS Private Frank J. Petrarca (T-AK-250) at NavSource Naval History


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