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NavSource Online: Escort Carrier Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS GILBERT ISLANDS   (CVE-107)
(later AKV-39; renamed Annapolis (AGMR-1))


Flag Hoist/Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Alpha - Tango
CLASS - COMMENCEMENT BAY
Displacement 11,3730 Tons, Dimensions, 557' 7" (oa) x 75' x 30' 8" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/38AA 36 x 40mm, 20 x 20mm, 33 Aircraft.
Machinery, 16,000 SHP; Allis-Chambers, Geared Turbines, 2 screw
Speed, 19 Knots, Crew 1066.
Operational and Building Data

Built by Todd-Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma, Wash. Initially named St. Andrews Bay. Keel laid 29 Nov 1943, launched 20 Jul 1944, commissioned 5 Feb 1945. Decommissioned 21 May 1946.

Recommissioned 7 Sep 1951. Decommissioned 15 Jan 1955. While in reserve, she was reclassified as a "Cargo Ship and Aircraft Ferry" (AKV-39), 7 May 1959. Stricken from the Navy list 1 Jun 1961.

Reinstated in the Naval Vessel Register. Converted to a "Major Communications Relay Ship". Redesignated AGMR-1, 1 Jun 1963. Renamed Annapolis, 22 Jun 1963.

Click On Image
For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Contributed
By And/Or Copyright
World War II
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310701		 87k As built, transporting aircraft; July 18, 1945. USN
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310702		 38k Overhead as completed. USN
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310707		 65k

Some crew members sitting on the flight deck in front of a Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, during World War II. Aircraft Mechanic Robert L. Bede is in the photo front row, third from the right; he was on the commissioning crew.

 From the collection of Robert L. Bede. Contributed by his son, Ronald L. Bede.
Ex-USS Gilbert Islands
CVE-110 Salerno Bay
NS0311005		 49k

South Boston Naval Annex, circa 30 May 1958. Easily identifiable are Salerno Bay (CVE-110), Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), Marcus Island (CVHE-77), Manila Bay (CVU-61), Kasaan Bay (CVHE-69), and Sargent Bay (CVU-83); also in this line were Shipley Bay (CVHE-85), Natoma Bay (CVU-62), and Savo Island (CVHE-78), and maybe a tenth, unidentified former "bird farm."

The skyline is the Customs House Tower, which these days you can't find from the clutter of the new high rises.

 ©Richard Leonhardt
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310705		 120k In reserve, South Boston Naval Annex. August 1960. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310706		 34k In reserve, South Boston Naval Annex. April 1961. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310703		 64k In reserve, South Boston Naval Annex. July 1961. © Richard Leonhardt
CVE-107 Gilbert Islands
NS0310704		 67k In reserve, South Boston Naval Annex. July 1961. © Richard Leonhardt
USS GILBERT ISLANDS CVE-107 History
View This Vessels DANFS History Entry
(Located On The Hazegray & Underway Web Site, This Is The Main Archive For The DANFS Online Project.)
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Contact Name: Mr. Richard L Hood
Address:RR 4 Box 112 Towanda, PA, 18848-9430
Phone: 717-265-8790
E-mail: None
Additional Resources
Hazegray & Underway World Aircraft Carrier Pages By Andrew Toppan.
Official U.S. Navy Carrier Website
Escort Carrier Sailors & Airmen Association
USS Annapolis (AGMR-1) Page
Main
Photo Index		 Escort Carrier
Photo Index Page		 Aircraft Transport (AKV)
Index Page		 Major Communications Relay Ship (AGMR)
Index Page		 USS Annapolis (AGMR-1)
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Last update: 23 April 2006