Hamul-class destroyer tender

Summary

The Hamul class were a class of destroyer tenders that were initially constructed as attack cargo ships for the United States Navy during World War II. They operated from 1941 to 1969.

Hamul at anchor in Great Sound, Bermuda, on 15 July 1944
Class overview
NameHamul class
Operators United States Navy
Preceded byDixie class
Succeeded byKlondike class
Completed2
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer tender
Displacement
  • 8,560 long tons (8,700 t) light
  • 14,800 long tons (15,000 t) full load
Length492 ft 5 in (150.09 m) oa
Beam69 ft 8 in (21.23 m)
Draft28 ft 6 in (8.69 m)
PropulsionGeared turbines, 8,500 shp (6,300 kW), single propeller
Speed18.4 knots (34.1 km/h; 21.2 mph)
Complement857
Armament

Design and description edit

 
Markab underway on 7 October 1942

Initially both ships were commercial cargo ships of the C3 type[1] taken over by the United States Navy during World War II and converted to attack cargo ships. The ships measured 465 feet (142 m) long between perpendiculars and 492 ft 5 in (150.09 m) overall with a beam of 69 ft 8 in (21.23 m) and a draft of 28 ft 6 in (8.69 m).[2][3] As attack cargo ships, they had a displacement of 11,755 long tons (11,944 t).[3][4] After their conversion to destroyer tenders, they had a light displacement of 8,860 long tons (9,000 t) and measured 14,800 long tons (15,000 t) at full load. They were powered by steam generated from two Foster Wheeler boilers turning geared turbines creating 8,500 shaft horsepower (6,300 kW). This gave them a maximum speed of 18.4 knots (34.1 km/h; 21.2 mph). The ships were armed with a single 5-inch (127 mm)/38-caliber gun, four single-mounted 3 in (76 mm)/50 cal. guns and four 1.6 in (40 mm) guns.[a] They had a complement of 857 officers and enlisted personnel.[5]

Ships in class edit

Hamul class construction data[4][6]
Hull number Name Builder Launched Acquired by US Navy Commissioned Fate
AK-30/AD-20 Hamul (ex-Doctor Lykes) Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey 6 April 1940 5 June 1941 15 June 1941 Broken up for scrap 1975
AK-31/AD-21/AR-23 Markab (ex-Mormacpenn) Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi 21 December 1940 2 June 1941 15 June 1941 Broken up for scrap 1977[7]

Notes edit

  1. ^ The 50 and 38 calibers denote the length of the guns. This means that the length of the gun barrel is 50 and 38 times the bore diameter respectively.

Citations edit

  1. ^ Blackman 1960, p. 380.
  2. ^ Blackman 1967, p. 426.
  3. ^ a b Jane's Fighting Ships of World War II, p. 297.
  4. ^ a b Hamul.
  5. ^ Blackman 1953, p. 437.
  6. ^ Markab.
  7. ^ "MARKAB (AR-23)". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 24 January 2023.

References edit