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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

T-AF-53 Grommet Reefer

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal

Grommet Reefer Class Stores Ship:

Laid down, 1 January 1944, as MV Kenneth E. Gruennert a Maritime Commission type (C1-M-AV1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 2243) at Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., Riverside Yard, Duluth, MN.

Launched, 29 July 1944

Delivered to the War Shipping Administration, 9 December 1944

Acquired by the Navy, 1 March 1950, and placed in service by MSTS as USNS Grommet Reefer (T-AF-53)

Ran aground, off Leghorn Italy, 15 December 1952, and broke in half, stern sunk, cargo and bow salvaged

Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown)

Final Disposition, bow section transferred to MARAD, 23 July 1953 for disposition

Specifications:
Displacement 2,382 t.(lt) 6,240 t.(fl)
Length 338' 8"
Beam 50'
Draft 21'
Speed 10.5 kts
Complement 40 civilian mariners
Armament none
Propulsion diesel, single propeller, 1,700shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
	50k	Grommet Reefer (T-AF-53) pierside, date and place unknown. US Navy photo		Stanley C. Svec
	50k	Grommet Reefer (T-AF-53) "spilt in two, rests on rocks 300 yards off Leghorn, Italy, with 37 cold and weary seamen still aboard the stern section (right) after three others were removed by breeches buoy. Rescue line parted after only three were taken off. Ship was driven on rocks by winds of gale force. Bow section, with no one aboard, is breaking up, but stern remains afloat and watertight. Cargo includes 17776 tons of perishable food including Christmas turkeys for GIs in Italy and Austria." Quoted from Associated Press Wirephoto caption.		Stanley C. Svec

View the Grommet Reefer (T-AF-53)
DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center web site

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
No Information Available

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