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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AK-90 Albireo


USS Albireo (AK-90) was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down as, SS John G. Nicolay, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 525), at Permanente Metals Corp. Yard No.1, Richmond, CA.
  • Launched, 25 February 1943
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 9 March 1943
  • Converted for Naval service at Matson Navigation Co., San Francisco, CA.
  • Commissioned, USS Albireo (AK-90), 29 March 1943, at San Francisco, LCDR. Edward M. Benton, USCGR, in command
  • Decommissioned, 5 July 1946, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission for disposal, name reverted to SS John G. Nicolay
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 31 July 1946
    Commercial History
  • Sold for commercial service in August 1947, to Southern Steamships (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg - renamed
        SS President Steyn, re-flagged South African
  • Sold in 1949 to Northern Steamships (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg
  • Sold in 1951 to Cia Nav Hidalgo SA, Panama RP, renamed SS Hildago, re-flagged Liberian
  • Sold in 1954 to Blue Bay SS Corp., renamed SS Ocean Sailor, flagged Liberian
  • Final Disposition, sold to Japanese breakers, arrived Kure 10 April 1967
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 14,250 t.(fl)
    Length 441' 6"
    Beam 56' 11"
    Draft 27' 7"
    Speed 13 kts.
    Complement 206
    Armament
    one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    eight 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion Joshua Hendy reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 1,950shp
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    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
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    USS Albireo (AK-90)
    Albireo 82k Broadside view of Albireo (AK-90) moored at the Matson Navigation Co., piers in San Francisco, CA. for conversion to Naval service, 30 March 1943.
    US Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2129-3-43, 3/30/43.    		 Darryl Baker
    Albireo 82k Forward plan view of Albireo (AK-90) moored at the Matson Navigation Co., piers in San Francisco, CA. for conversion to Naval service, 30 March 1943.
    US Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2130-3-43, 3/30/43.    		 Darryl Baker
    Albireo 90k Broadside view of Albireo (AK-90) off San Francisco, CA., 30 March 1943.
    US Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2157-3-43, 3/30/43.    		 Darryl Baker
    Albireo 72k Bow on view of Albireo (AK-90) off San Francisco, CA., 30 March 1943.
    US Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2160-3-43, 3/30/43.    		 Darryl Baker
    Commercial Service
    Albireo 53k ex-Albireo (AK-90) in commercial service as the Liberian flagged SS Hidalgo underway, circa 1951-54. David Nixon
    View the Albireo (AK-90)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office - USS Albireo
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 18 May 2007