USS Octans (AF-26) was a stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II, named after the constellation Octans. She was responsible for delivering necessary goods and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone.
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History |
United States |
Builder | Workman Clark Belfast |
Laid down | date unknown |
Launched | in 1917 as SS Ulua |
Acquired | 8 May 1943 |
Commissioned | 11 June 1943 |
Decommissioned | 6 March 1946 |
Stricken | 20 March 1946 |
Fate | Scrapped 1948 |
General characteristics |
Displacement | 11,030 t.(fl) |
Length | 440 ft (130 m) |
Beam | 54 ft 4 in (16.56 m) |
Draught | 26 ft 2 in (7.98 m) |
Propulsion | Reciprocating engines, twin screws, 6,000hp |
Speed | 13.5 kts. (max) |
Complement | 227 |
Armament | one single 5 in (130 mm) dual purpose gun mount, four 3 in (76 mm) dual purpose guns, eight 20 mm guns |
Close
Octans (AF–26) was built as SS Ulua in 1917 by Workman Clark and Co., Ltd., Belfast; acquired by the Navy 8 May 1943 under charter through the War Shipping Administration from her owner, the United Fruit Co.; and commissioned 11 June.
During an availability at Sydney, Australia, in November 1944, another capability and task was added with the installation of a 30-bed sick bay. On succeeding trips to Australia from more-advanced bases, wounded soldiers and sailors were transferred from the battle areas to recovery havens.
From that time also, Octans began to range farther to the north as she made supply trips to Leyte, Mindoro, and Luzon. While returning from Leyte Gulf on 1 January 1945, she was credited with downing one of a number of Japanese planes which attacked her convoy.
With almost two years of supply duty behind her, Octans returned to the U.S. West Coast for a brief overhaul, arriving at Oakland 15 May. Seven weeks later, following a stop in Seattle, Washington, for provisions, she again crossed the Pacific Ocean, arriving at Manila on 13 August. After two more trips to Australia, the stores ship made deliveries to Shanghai, China, and departed 29 December for the United States.
Octans’ crew members were authorized the following medals:
- China Service Medal (Extended)[1]
- American Campaign Medal
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Philippines Liberation Medal