USS Lancaster (AK-193)

Summary

USS Lancaster (AK-193) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship that was constructed by the US Navy during the closing period of World War II. She was declared excess-to-needs and returned to the US Maritime Commission shortly after commissioning.

History
United States
Name
  • Coastal Ringleader (1944–1945)
  • Lancaster (1945)
NamesakeLancaster County, Pennsylvania
Orderedas type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2124[1]
BuilderWalter Butler Shipbuilders Inc., Superior, Wisconsin
Yard number42[1]
Laid down1 July 1944
Launched15 December 1944
Acquired21 September 1945
Commissioned21 September 1945
Decommissioned23 November 1945
Strickendate unknown
Identification
FateReturned to Maritime Commission, 23 November 1945
United States
NameCoastal Ringleader
OwnerMaritime Commission
Operator
Acquired23 November 1945
In service23 November 1945
Out of service25 May 1948
FateSold, 13 July 1956
BrazilBrazil
NameCoastal Ringleader
OperatorCompanhia Nacional de Navegacao Costerira, Patrimonio Nacional
Acquired13 July 1956
In service2 October 1956
FateHulked 1975, deleted 1992
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeAlamosa-class cargo ship
TypeC1-M-AV1
Tonnage5,032 long tons deadweight (DWT)[1]
Displacement
  • 2,382 long tons (2,420 t) (standard)
  • 7,450 long tons (7,570 t) (full load)
Length388 ft 8 in (118.47 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft21 ft 1 in (6.43 m)
Installed power
Propulsion1 × propeller
Speed11.5 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
Armament

Construction edit

The fourth ship to be so named by the Navy, Lancaster was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract, MC hull 2124, 1 July 1944, by Walter Butler Shipbuilding Inc., Superior, Wisconsin; launched the same year; acquired by the Navy 21 September 1945; and commissioned the same day.[3]

Post-war decommissioning edit

The end of World War II reduced the need for cargo ships, and Lancaster decommissioned 23 November 19, she was returned to the War Shipping Administration the same day with her name reverting to Coastal Ringleader.[3]

Merchant service edit

Coastal Ringleader was used by several shipping companies from 1945–1948, when she was placed in the reserve fleet.[2]

On 13 July 1956, she was sold to Companhia Nacional de Navegacao Costerira, Patrimonio Nacional, of Brazil, for $693,682, under the condition that she be used for coastal shipping. She was delivered on 2 October 1956.[4]

Notes edit

Citations

Bibliography edit

Online resources

  • "Lancaster III (AK-193)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2016.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "C1 Cargo Ships". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  • "USS Lancaster (AK-193)". Navsource.org. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  • "Coastal Ringleader". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 19 November 2016.

External links edit

  • Photo gallery of USS Lancaster (AK-193) at NavSource Naval History