USS Etamin (AK-93) was the Liberty ship (EC2) Isaac Babbitt constructed for the US Maritime Commission (MARCOM) in 1943, for World War II service at a cost of $959,509. After acquisition by the US Navy, the ship was named Etamin, after the brightest star in the constellation Draco and manned by a US Coast Guard crew. As a Crater-class cargo ship, she served the military in the Pacific Ocean by providing food and material until she was torpedoed and put out of service. After repairs, she served as a non-self-propelled floating warehouse for the rest of the war. The ship ended the war in the Philippines and was among fifteen hulls sold for scrap for a lump sum of $271,000.
Construction
Etamin was launched 25 April 1943, as Isaac Babbitt, MCE hull 1106, by Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No. 2, Richmond, California, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract; acquired by the Navy 8 May 1943; and commissioned 25 May 1943.[6][4]
Service history
She was assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS), 12th Naval District with operational control given to Commander, 7th Fleet Service Force.[6]
The ship was one of five Navy manned Liberties assigned 8 December 1943 to the Southwest Pacific Area for service to meet Army requirements.[7] She was active in the southwest Pacific Ocean issuing stores to the fleet and making minor repairs.[6]
On 27 April 1944,Etamin was disabled by a torpedo hit in Milne Bay and towed to Cairns, Australia, where she decommissioned on 26 June 1944. The ship, no longer self-propelled because of the torpedo damage, was designated as an unclassified miscellaneous auxiliary (IX) and placed in service as Etamin (IX-173) on 12 August 1944 continuing to issue stores to the fleet while under tow. She was placed out of service on 9 July 1946 and stricken from the Navy List on 31 July.[6]
Sale and scrapping
Returned to the MARCOM for disposal, the ship was laid up at Subic Bay, Philippines, 9 July 1946. She was one of fifteen vessels sold for scrap to Asia Development Corporation, Shanghai, for a total of $271,000. [8] She was sold 29 January 1948,[3] and delivered 3 March 1948.[8]
Awards
Etamin received two battle stars for World War II service.[6]
References
Bibliography
- "Etamin". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - "Kaiser Permanente No. 2, Richmond CA". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- "USS Etamin (AK-93)". Navsource.org. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- "ETAMIN". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- "ISAAC BABBITT". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Lloyds. "Lloyd's Register 1945–46" (PDF). Lloyd's Register (through PlimsollShipData). Retrieved 19 December 2016.
- Masterson, Dr. James R. (1949). U. S. Army Transportation In The Southwest Pacific Area 1941–1947. Washington, D. C.: Transportation Unit, Historical Division, Special Staff, U. S. Army. pp. 359, 390.
- "SS ISAAC BABBITT". Retrieved 15 December 2017.
External links
- Photo gallery of Etamin (AK-93) at NavSource Naval History
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