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{{short description|Commencement Bay-class escort carrier of the US Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2013}}
{{other ships|USS Annapolis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}}


{{otherships|USS Annapolis}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[Image:USS Gilbert Islands.jpg|300px|USS Gilbert Islands]]
|Ship image=[[File:USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) underway in 1945.jpg|300px|USS ''Gilbert Islands'']]
|Ship caption=
|Ship caption=USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1945
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1944}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1944}}
|Ship name=*USS ''Gilbert Islands (ex-USS St. Andrews Bay) '' (1944-1963)
|Ship name=*USS ''Gilbert Islands'' (ex-USS ''St. Andrews Bay'') (1944-1963)
*[[USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)|USS ''Annapolis'']] (1963-1976)
*{{USS|Annapolis|AGMR-1|6}} (1963-1976)
|Ship namesake=* [[St. Andrews Bay (Florida)|St. Andrews Bay]] in Florida
* [[Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign|Gilbert Islands campaign]]
* [[Annapolis, Maryland]]
|Ship operator=
|Ship operator=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Todd Pacific Shipyards]]
|Ship builder=[[Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation|Todd Pacific Shipyards]]
|Ship laid down= 29 November 1943
|Ship laid down= 29 November 1943
|Ship launched= 20 July 1944
|Ship launched= 20 July 1944
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|Hide header=yes
|Hide header=yes
|Ship reclassified=Communication relay ship, AGMR-1, 1 June 1963
|Ship reclassified=Communication relay ship, AGMR-1, 1 June 1963
|Ship renamed=USS ''Annapolis'', 22 June 1963<ref>{{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H.|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=US Warships of World War 2|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]]|year=1965|location=USA|pages= |url=http://www.usni.org/|doi= |id= |isbn=0-87021-773-9}}</ref>
|Ship renamed=USS ''Annapolis'', 22 June 1963<ref>{{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H.|title=US Warships of World War 2|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]]|year=1965|location=USA|url=http://www.usni.org/|isbn=0-87021-773-9}}</ref>
|Ship recommissioned=7 March 1964
|Ship recommissioned=7 March 1964
|Ship decommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned=
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|Ship captured=
|Ship captured=
|Ship fate= Sold for scrapping 1 November 1979
|Ship fate= Sold for scrapping 1 November 1979
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship badge=
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|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption=
|Ship class= {{sclass|Commencement Bay|escort carrier|}}
|Ship class={{sclass|Commencement Bay|escort carrier}}
|Ship displacement={{convert|21397|LT|t|lk=on}}
|Ship type=
|Ship length={{cvt|557|ft|1|in|m}} [[length overall|loa]]
|Ship displacement= {{convert|10900|LT|t|abbr=on}}, {{convert|24100|LT|t|abbr=on}} full load<ref>{{cite book|last=Silverstone|first=Paul H.|authorlink= |coauthors= |title=US Warships of World War 2|publisher=[[United States Naval Institute|Naval Institute Press]]|year=1965|location=USA|pages=444|url=http://www.usni.org/|doi= |id= |isbn=0-87021-773-9}}</ref>
|Ship length={{convert|557|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{cvt|75|ft|m}}
|Ship beam={{convert|75|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{cvt|32|ft|m}}
|Ship height=
|Ship power=
|Ship draft={{convert|32|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*{{cvt|16000|shp|kW|lk=on}}
*4 × [[boiler]]s
|Ship propulsion=2-shaft geared turbines, 16,000 shp
|Ship propulsion=
|Ship speed={{convert|19|kn|mph km/h|lk=in}}
*2 × [[Steam turbines]]
*2 × [[screw propeller]]s
|Ship speed={{convert|19|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship range=
|Ship endurance=
|Ship complement=1,066
|Ship complement=1,066
|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
*2 × [[5"/38 caliber gun|{{cvt|5|in|mm|0}}]] [[dual-purpose gun]]s
|Ship armament=2 × {{convert|5|in|mm|abbr=on}} guns (2×1), 36 × 40 mm AA guns
*36 × [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|{{cvt|40|mm|1}} Bofors]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|AA gun]]s
|Ship armor=
*20 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{cvt|20|mm|1}} Oerlikon]] AA guns
|Ship aircraft=34
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship aircraft=33
|Ship aircraft facilities=2 × [[aircraft catapult]]s
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox service record
|is_ship=yes
|label=
|partof=[[United States Pacific Fleet]] (1945-46, 1964-67), [[United States Navy reserve fleets|Atlantic Reserve Fleet]] (1946-49, 1955-61), [[United States Fleet Forces Command|US Atlantic Fleet]] (1952-55)
|codes=
|commanders=
|operations=[[Battle of Okinawa]] (1945), [[Battle of Balikpapan (1945)]], [[Vietnam War]] (1964-1967)
|victories=
|awards=3 [[Battle star (CVE-107)|Battle star]]s (WWII)
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''USS ''Gilbert Islands'' (CVE-107)''' (ex-''St. Andrews Bay'') was a {{sclass|Commencement Bay|escort carrier}} of the [[United States Navy]].


She was launched on 20 July 1944 by the [[Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation|Todd-Pacific Shipyards]] in [[Tacoma, Washington]]. She was sponsored by Mrs. Edwin D. McMorries, wife of Captain Edwin D. McMorries, Surgeon at the Naval Hospital at Puget Sound Naval Yard, and commissioned on 5 February 1945.
'''USS ''Gilbert Islands'' (CVE-107)''' (ex-''St. Andrews Bay'') was a [[Commencement Bay class escort carrier|''Commencement Bay'' class]] [[escort carrier]] of the [[United States Navy]].


She was reclassified as AGMR-1 on 1 June 1963, renamed '''{{USS|Annapolis|AGMR-1|6}}''' on 22 June 1963 and finally recommissioned on 7 March 1964.
She was launched on 20 July 1944 the [[Todd-Pacific Shipyards]], Inc., [[Tacoma, Washington]]; sponsored by Mrs. Edwin D. McMorries; and commissioned on 5 February 1945, [[Captain (naval)|Captain]] L. K. Rice in command.


==Design==
She was reclassified as AGMR-1 on 1 June 1963, renamed [[USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)|USS ''Annapolis'']] on 22 June 1963 and finally recommissioned on 7 March 1964.
{{main|Commencement Bay-class escort carrier}}

In 1941, as United States participation in [[World War II]] became increasingly likely, the [[US Navy]] embarked on a construction program for [[escort carrier]]s, which were converted from [[transport ship]]s of various types. Many of the escort carrier types were converted from [[Type C3-class ship|C3-type transports]], but the {{sclass|Sangamon|escort carrier|1}}s were instead rebuilt [[oil tanker]]s. These proved to be very successful ships, and the {{sclass|Commencement Bay|escort carrier|4}}, authorized for Fiscal Year 1944, were an improved version of the ''Sangamon'' design. The new ships were faster, had improved aviation facilities, and had better internal [[Compartment (ship)|compartmentation]].{{sfn|Friedman 1986|pp=107–111}} They proved to be the most successful of the escort carriers, and the only class to be retained in active service after the war, since they were large enough to operate newer aircraft.{{sfn|Friedman 1983|p=199}}

''Gilbert Islands'' was {{cvt|557|ft|1|in|m}} [[long overall]], with a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{cvt|75|ft|m}} at the [[waterline]], which extended to {{cvt|105|ft|2|in}} at maximum. She [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{convert|21397|LT|t}} at [[full load]], of which {{cvt|12876|LT|t}} could be [[fuel oil]] (though some of her storage tanks were converted to permanently store seawater for [[ballast]]), and at full load she had a [[Draft (ship)|draft]] of {{cvt|27|ft|11|in}}. The ship's [[superstructure]] consisted of a small island. She had a complement of 1,066 officers and enlisted men.{{sfn|Friedman 1986|p=111}}

The ship was powered by two [[Allis-Chalmers]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, each driving one [[screw propeller]], using steam provided by four [[Combustion Engineering]]-manufactured [[water-tube boilers]]. The propulsion system was rated to produce a total of {{cvt|16000|shp|lk=in}} for a top speed of {{convert|19|kn|lk=in}}. Given the very large storage capacity for oil, the ships of the ''Commencement Bay'' class could steam for some {{convert|23900|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{convert|15|kn}}.{{sfn|Friedman 1986|p=111}}

Her defensive [[anti-aircraft]] armament consisted of two [[5"/38 caliber gun|{{cvt|5|in|mm|0}}]] [[dual-purpose gun]]s in single mounts, thirty-six [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|{{cvt|40|mm|0}} Bofors guns]], and twenty [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{cvt|20|mm|0}} Oerlikon light AA cannon]]s. The Bofors guns were placed in three quadruple and twelve twin mounts, while the Oerlikon guns were all mounted individually. She carried 33 planes, which could be launched from two [[aircraft catapult]]s. Two elevators transferred aircraft from the [[hangar]] to the [[flight deck]].{{sfn|Friedman 1986|p=111}}


==Service history==
==Service history==
After shakedown training, ''Gilbert Islands'' departed [[San Diego]] on 12 April 1945 for exercises in Hawaiian waters. She sailed on 2 May with an escort carrier force that closed [[Okinawa]] on 21 May. Her aircraft blasted and strafed concrete dugouts, troop concentrations, ammunition and fuel dumps on Okinawa from 24–31 May. In the following days she helped neutralize outlying Japanese airfields and installations with repeated bomb and rocket attacks. Four of her Marine pilots and three [[TBF Avenger|TBM Avenger]] gunners were killed in action in all of 1945. She departed Okinawa on 16 June to replenish at [[San Pedro Bay (Philippines)|San Pedro Bay]], thence to [[Balikpapan]], [[Borneo]]. She gave air cover to Australians storming that shore 1 July and remained 4 days to attack all targets in sight. With the Australians securely established, she returned to [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]] on 6 July.
After shakedown training, ''Gilbert Islands'' departed [[San Diego]] on 12 April 1945 for exercises in Hawaiian waters. She sailed on 2 May with an escort carrier force that closed [[Okinawa]] on 21 May. Her aircraft blasted and strafed concrete dugouts, troop concentrations, ammunition and fuel dumps on Okinawa from 24 to 31 May. In the following days she helped neutralize outlying Japanese airfields and installations with repeated bomb and rocket attacks. Four of her Marine pilots and three [[Grumman TBF Avenger|TBM Avenger]] gunners were killed in action in all of 1945. She departed Okinawa on 16 June to replenish at [[San Pedro Bay (Philippines)|San Pedro Bay]], thence to [[Balikpapan]], [[Borneo]]. She gave air cover to Australians storming that shore 1 July and remained 4 days to attack all targets in sight. With the Australians securely established, she returned to [[Leyte (island)|Leyte]] on 6 July.


''Gilbert Islands'' departed San Pedro Bay on 29 July to screen logistic ships replenishing 3rd Fleet striking forces along the coast of Japan. On that station 15 August she joined a task group that included nearly all the 3rd Fleet and heard Admiral Halsey's laconic direction: "Apparently the war is over and you are ordered to cease firing; so, if you see any Jap planes in the air, you will just have to shoot them down in a friendly manner." After replenishment at Okinawa, she departed on 14 October to participate in a show of air strength during occupation of [[Taiwan|Formosa]] by the Chinese 70th Army. She was then routed onward via [[Saipan]] and [[Pearl Harbor]] to San Diego, arriving on 4 December 1945. She remained in port until 21 January 1946, then set course for Norfolk where she decommissioned on 21 May 1946 and was placed in reserve.
''Gilbert Islands'' departed San Pedro Bay on 29 July to screen logistic ships replenishing 3rd Fleet striking forces along the coast of Japan. On that station 15 August she joined a task group that included nearly all the 3rd Fleet and heard Admiral Halsey's laconic direction: "Apparently the war is over and you are ordered to cease firing; so, if you see any Jap planes in the air, you will just have to shoot them down in a friendly manner." After replenishment at Okinawa, she departed on 14 October to participate in a show of air strength during occupation of [[Taiwan|Formosa]] by the Chinese 70th Army. She was then routed onward via [[Saipan]] and [[Pearl Harbor]] to San Diego, arriving on 4 December 1945. She remained in port until 21 January 1946, then set course for Norfolk where she decommissioned on 21 May 1946 and was placed in reserve.


===Post-War===
===Post-War===
Towed to [[Philadelphia]] in November 1949, ''Gilbert Islands'' recommissioned on 7 September 1951 and put in at [[Boston]] on 25 November for overhaul. She joined the Atlantic Fleet on 1 August 1952, sailed 8 days later with a cargo of jets for [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]], arriving 18 September, and returned to her homeport of [[Quonset Point]], R.I. on 22 October. She sailed on 5 January 1953 for the [[Caribbean]] to conduct training exercises off [[Cuba]] and returned to [[New England]] waters to continue these duties through the summer and fall of the year. Following a cruise to [[City of Halifax|Halifax]] and overhaul at Boston, the escort carrier stood out on 5 January 1954 for a [[Mediterranean]] cruise, returning to [[Quonset Point]] on 12 March 1954 for reserve training and other exercises. She became the first of her class to have jets make touch-and-go landings on the flight deck while she had no way on, a dangerous experiment successfully conducted on 9 June 1954. She left [[Rhode Island]] on 25 June for Boston and decommissioned there on 15 January 1955.
Towed to [[Philadelphia]] in November 1949, ''Gilbert Islands'' recommissioned on 7 September 1951 and put in at [[Boston]] on 25 November for overhaul. She joined the Atlantic Fleet on 1 August 1952, sailed 8 days later with a cargo of jets for [[Yokohama]], [[Japan]], arriving 18 September, and returned to her homeport of [[Quonset Point]], Rhode Island on 22 October. She sailed on 5 January 1953 for the [[Caribbean]] to conduct training exercises off [[Cuba]] and returned to [[New England]] waters to continue these duties through the summer and fall of the year. Following a cruise to [[Halifax, Nova Scotia]] and overhaul at Boston, the escort carrier stood out on 5 January 1954 for a [[Mediterranean]] cruise, returning to Quonset Point on 12 March 1954 for reserve training and other exercises. She became the first of her class to have jets make touch-and-go landings on the flight deck while she had no way on, a dangerous experiment successfully conducted on 9 June 1954. She left [[Rhode Island]] on 25 June for Boston and decommissioned there on 15 January 1955.


===As ''Annapolis''===
===As ''Annapolis''===


Reclassified '''AKV-39''' on 7 May 1959, ''Gilbert Islands'' remained in reserve until her name was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] in June 1961. She was reclassified '''AGMR-1''' on 1 June 1963 and renamed '''''[[USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)]]''''' on 22 June 1963. ''Annapolis'' recommissioned on 7 March 1964, [[Captain John Rowan (US Navy)|Captain John J. Rowan]] in command. As the Navy's first major communication relay ship, ''Annapolis'' was busy with acceptance trials for the rest of the year. In the fall, she handled communications during [[Operation Teamwork|Operations Teamwork]] and [[Operation Steel Pike|Steel Pike]] before final acceptance into the fleet on 16 December.
Reclassified '''AKV-39''' on 7 May 1959, ''Gilbert Islands'' remained in reserve until her name was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] in June 1961. She was reclassified '''AGMR-1''' on 1 June 1963 and renamed {{USS|Annapolis|AGMR-1}} on 22 June 1963. ''Annapolis'' recommissioned on 7 March 1964, [[Captain John Rowan (US Navy)|Captain John J. Rowan]] in command. As the Navy's first major communication relay ship, ''Annapolis'' was busy with acceptance trials for the rest of the year. In the fall, she handled communications during [[Operation Teamwork|Operations Teamwork]] and [[Operation Steel Pike|Steel Pike]] before final acceptance into the fleet on 16 December.


===Vietnam===
===Vietnam===
After operations out of Norfolk for the first half of 1965, ''Annapolis'' was assigned [[Long Beach, California]] as home port on 28 June 1965. In September, she was sent to [[Vietnam]] to assist communications between naval units. In 1966, the first ship-to-shore satellite radio message ever transmitted and received was between the USS Annapolis (AMGR 1) in South China Sea to Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Pearl Harbor. With the exception of periodic visits to [[Hong Kong]], Taiwan, and the [[Philippines]] for upkeep and training, she continued this important service into 1967, assuring a smooth and steady flow of information and orders. ''Annapolis'' was decommissioned 20 December 1969 at Norfolk, VA and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet then towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she was placed in mothball. The ship was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] 15 October 1976 and sold for scrap 1 November 1979.
After operations out of Norfolk for the first half of 1965, ''Annapolis'' was assigned [[Long Beach, California]] as home port on 28 June 1965. In September, she was sent to [[Vietnam]] to assist communications between naval units. In 1966, the first ship-to-shore satellite radio message ever transmitted and received was between ''Annapolis'' in the South China Sea to Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Pearl Harbor. With the exception of periodic visits to [[Hong Kong]], Taiwan, and the [[Philippines]] for upkeep and training, she continued this important service into 1967, assuring a smooth and steady flow of information and orders. ''Annapolis'' was decommissioned 20 December 1969 at Norfolk, Virginia and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet before being towed to [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]] where she was placed in mothballs. The ship was stricken from the [[Naval Vessel Register]] 15 October 1976 and sold for scrap 1 November 1979.


''Annapolis'' earned seven [[campaign stars]] for Vietnam War service.
''Annapolis'' earned seven [[campaign stars]] for Vietnam War service.


==Awards==
==Awards==

''Gilbert Islands'' received three [[battle star]]s for her World War II service.
=== USS ''Gilbert Islands'' (CVE-107) ===

* [[American Campaign Medal]]
* [[Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal]] with 3 battle stars
* [[World War II Victory Medal]]
* [[Navy Occupation Service Medal]] with "Asia" and "Europe" clasps
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]
* [[Korean Service Medal]]
* [[United Nations Korea Medal]]

=== USS ''Annapolis'' (AGMR-1) ===

* [[Meritorious Unit Commendation|Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
* [[National Defense Service Medal]] with star (second award)
* [[Vietnam Service Medal]] with 8 campaign stars
* [[Gallantry Cross (South Vietnam)|Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation]] (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm)
* [[Vietnam Campaign Medal|Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal]]

== Gallery ==
<gallery caption="USS ''Gilbert Islands'' Lifecycle">
File:USS Lee Fox (APD-45) after colliding with USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), in 1945.jpg|[[USS Lee Fox (DE-65)|USS ''Lee Fox'' (APD-45)]] after colliding with USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1945.
File:F4U-1D of VMF-512 on USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) in 1945.jpg|[[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U-1D Corsair]] of [[VMF-512]] on USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1945.
File:USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) moored off New York City on 10 November 1953 (NH 106714).jpg|USS ''Gilbert Islands'' moored off New York City on 10 November 1953.
File:Sikorsky HO4S of HS-3 aboard USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), in 1954.jpg|[[Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw|Sikorsky HO4S]] of [[HSC-9|HS-3]] aboard USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1954.
File:Bow view of USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), in 1954.jpg|Bow view of USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1954.
File:USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) and USS Hailey (DD-556) underway at sea, in 1954.jpg|USS ''Gilbert Islands'' and {{USS|Hailey|DD-556}} underway at sea in 1954.
File:Grumman AF-2S of VS-36 is launched from USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), in 1954.jpg|[[Grumman AF Guardian|Grumman AF-2S]] of [[VA-36 (U.S. Navy)|VS-36]] is launched from USS ''Gilbert Islands'' in 1954.
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{reflist|20em}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{DANFS}}
{{DANFS}}
* {{cite book
|last=Friedman
|first=Norman
|chapter=United States of America
|pages=105–133
|editor1-last=Gardiner
|editor1-first=Robert
|editor2-last=Gray
|editor2-first=Randal
|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921
|year=1986
|location=London
|publisher=Conway Maritime Press
|isbn=978-0-85177-245-5
|ref={{sfnRef|Friedman 1986}}
| url=https://archive.org/details/allworldsfightin00rgre
|name-list-style=amp
}}
* {{cite book
|last= Friedman
|first= Norman
|date= 1983
|title= U.S. Aircraft Carriers: An Illustrated Design History
|location= Annapolis
|publisher= Naval Institute Press
|isbn= 978-0-87021-739-5
|ref={{sfnref|Friedman 1983}}
}}
* {{cite DANFS
| title = Gilbert Islands (CVE-107)
| url = https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/g/gilbert-islands.html
| date = 20 June 2023
| access-date = 27 April 2024
| ref = {{sfnRef|DANFS}}
}}{{PD-notice}}
* {{cite book
| last = Silverstone
| first = Paul H.
| title = The Navy of World War II, 1922–1947
| publisher = Routledge
| year = 2012
| location = New York
| isbn = 978-1-135-86472-9
|ref={{sfnref|Silverstone}}
}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 124: Line 207:
*http://www.adamsplanes.com/index.htm
*http://www.adamsplanes.com/index.htm
*http://www.boston.quik.com/kurtdold/tonkin6.html
*http://www.boston.quik.com/kurtdold/tonkin6.html
*{{Naval Vessel Register URL|id=AGMR1}}
*http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/AGMR1.htm
*http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2638
*http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=2638


<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->
{{Commencement_Bay_class_escort_carrier}}
{{Commencement Bay class escort carrier}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert Islands (Cve-107)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert Islands (Cve-107)}}
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[[Category:World War II escort aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II escort aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War aircraft carriers of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Ships built in Tacoma, Washington]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]
[[Category:1944 ships]]

Revision as of 19:44, 10 May 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Annapolis.

USS Gilbert Islands
USS Gilbert Islands in 1945
History
United States
Name
  • USS Gilbert Islands (ex-USS St. Andrews Bay) (1944-1963)
  • USS Annapolis (1963-1976)
Namesake
BuilderTodd Pacific Shipyards
Laid down29 November 1943
Launched20 July 1944
Commissioned5 February 1945
Decommissioned21 May 1946
Recommissioned5 February 1951
Decommissioned15 January 1955
ReclassifiedCargo Ship and Aircraft Ferry, AKV-39, 7 May 1959
StrickenJune 1961
Recommissioned7 March 1964
RenamedUSS Annapolis, 22 June 1963[1]
ReclassifiedCommunication relay ship, AGMR-1, 1 June 1963
Stricken15 October 1976
FateSold for scrapping 1 November 1979
General characteristics
Class and typeCommencement Bay-class escort carrier
Displacement21,397 long tons (21,740 t)
Length557 ft 1 in (169.80 m) loa
Beam75 ft (23 m)
Draft32 ft (9.8 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph)
Complement1,066
Armament
Aircraft carried33
Aviation facilities2 × aircraft catapults

USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107) (ex-St. Andrews Bay) was a Commencement Bay-class escort carrier of the United States Navy.

She was launched on 20 July 1944 by the Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Tacoma, Washington. She was sponsored by Mrs. Edwin D. McMorries, wife of Captain Edwin D. McMorries, Surgeon at the Naval Hospital at Puget Sound Naval Yard, and commissioned on 5 February 1945.

She was reclassified as AGMR-1 on 1 June 1963, renamed USS Annapolis on 22 June 1963 and finally recommissioned on 7 March 1964.

Design

Main article: Commencement Bay-class escort carrier

In 1941, as United States participation in World War II became increasingly likely, the US Navy embarked on a construction program for escort carriers, which were converted from transport ships of various types. Many of the escort carrier types were converted from C3-type transports, but the Sangamon-class escort carriers were instead rebuilt oil tankers. These proved to be very successful ships, and the Commencement Bay class, authorized for Fiscal Year 1944, were an improved version of the Sangamon design. The new ships were faster, had improved aviation facilities, and had better internal compartmentation.[2] They proved to be the most successful of the escort carriers, and the only class to be retained in active service after the war, since they were large enough to operate newer aircraft.[3]

Gilbert Islands was 557 ft 1 in (169.80 m) long overall, with a beam of 75 ft (23 m) at the waterline, which extended to 105 ft 2 in (32.05 m) at maximum. She displaced 21,397 long tons (21,740 t) at full load, of which 12,876 long tons (13,083 t) could be fuel oil (though some of her storage tanks were converted to permanently store seawater for ballast), and at full load she had a draft of 27 ft 11 in (8.51 m). The ship's superstructure consisted of a small island. She had a complement of 1,066 officers and enlisted men.[4]

The ship was powered by two Allis-Chalmers geared steam turbines, each driving one screw propeller, using steam provided by four Combustion Engineering-manufactured water-tube boilers. The propulsion system was rated to produce a total of 16,000 shp (12,000 kW) for a top speed of 19 knots (35 km/h; 22 mph). Given the very large storage capacity for oil, the ships of the Commencement Bay class could steam for some 23,900 nautical miles (44,300 km; 27,500 mi) at a speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).[4]

Her defensive anti-aircraft armament consisted of two 5 in (127 mm) dual-purpose guns in single mounts, thirty-six 40 mm (2 in) Bofors guns, and twenty 20 mm (1 in) Oerlikon light AA cannons. The Bofors guns were placed in three quadruple and twelve twin mounts, while the Oerlikon guns were all mounted individually. She carried 33 planes, which could be launched from two aircraft catapults. Two elevators transferred aircraft from the hangar to the flight deck.[4]

Service history

After shakedown training, Gilbert Islands departed San Diego on 12 April 1945 for exercises in Hawaiian waters. She sailed on 2 May with an escort carrier force that closed Okinawa on 21 May. Her aircraft blasted and strafed concrete dugouts, troop concentrations, ammunition and fuel dumps on Okinawa from 24 to 31 May. In the following days she helped neutralize outlying Japanese airfields and installations with repeated bomb and rocket attacks. Four of her Marine pilots and three TBM Avenger gunners were killed in action in all of 1945. She departed Okinawa on 16 June to replenish at San Pedro Bay, thence to Balikpapan, Borneo. She gave air cover to Australians storming that shore 1 July and remained 4 days to attack all targets in sight. With the Australians securely established, she returned to Leyte on 6 July.

Gilbert Islands departed San Pedro Bay on 29 July to screen logistic ships replenishing 3rd Fleet striking forces along the coast of Japan. On that station 15 August she joined a task group that included nearly all the 3rd Fleet and heard Admiral Halsey's laconic direction: "Apparently the war is over and you are ordered to cease firing; so, if you see any Jap planes in the air, you will just have to shoot them down in a friendly manner." After replenishment at Okinawa, she departed on 14 October to participate in a show of air strength during occupation of Formosa by the Chinese 70th Army. She was then routed onward via Saipan and Pearl Harbor to San Diego, arriving on 4 December 1945. She remained in port until 21 January 1946, then set course for Norfolk where she decommissioned on 21 May 1946 and was placed in reserve.

Post-War

Towed to Philadelphia in November 1949, Gilbert Islands recommissioned on 7 September 1951 and put in at Boston on 25 November for overhaul. She joined the Atlantic Fleet on 1 August 1952, sailed 8 days later with a cargo of jets for Yokohama, Japan, arriving 18 September, and returned to her homeport of Quonset Point, Rhode Island on 22 October. She sailed on 5 January 1953 for the Caribbean to conduct training exercises off Cuba and returned to New England waters to continue these duties through the summer and fall of the year. Following a cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and overhaul at Boston, the escort carrier stood out on 5 January 1954 for a Mediterranean cruise, returning to Quonset Point on 12 March 1954 for reserve training and other exercises. She became the first of her class to have jets make touch-and-go landings on the flight deck while she had no way on, a dangerous experiment successfully conducted on 9 June 1954. She left Rhode Island on 25 June for Boston and decommissioned there on 15 January 1955.

As Annapolis

Reclassified AKV-39 on 7 May 1959, Gilbert Islands remained in reserve until her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in June 1961. She was reclassified AGMR-1 on 1 June 1963 and renamed USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) on 22 June 1963. Annapolis recommissioned on 7 March 1964, Captain John J. Rowan in command. As the Navy's first major communication relay ship, Annapolis was busy with acceptance trials for the rest of the year. In the fall, she handled communications during Operations Teamwork and Steel Pike before final acceptance into the fleet on 16 December.

Vietnam

After operations out of Norfolk for the first half of 1965, Annapolis was assigned Long Beach, California as home port on 28 June 1965. In September, she was sent to Vietnam to assist communications between naval units. In 1966, the first ship-to-shore satellite radio message ever transmitted and received was between Annapolis in the South China Sea to Pacific Fleet Headquarters at Pearl Harbor. With the exception of periodic visits to Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines for upkeep and training, she continued this important service into 1967, assuring a smooth and steady flow of information and orders. Annapolis was decommissioned 20 December 1969 at Norfolk, Virginia and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet before being towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she was placed in mothballs. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 15 October 1976 and sold for scrap 1 November 1979.

Annapolis earned seven campaign stars for Vietnam War service.

Awards

USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107)

USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)

Gallery

Notes

  1. ^ Silverstone, Paul H. (1965). US Warships of World War 2. USA: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-773-9.
  2. ^ Friedman 1986, pp. 107–111.
  3. ^ Friedman 1983, p. 199.
  4. ^ a b c Friedman 1986, p. 111.

References

Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

External links

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