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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AK-91 Cor Caroli


USS Cor Caroli (AK-91) was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Philippines Liberation Medal
Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down as SS Betsy Ross, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 476) at Permanente Metals Corp. Yard No. 2, Richmond, CA.
  • Launched, 19 March 1943
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 31 March 1943
  • Commissioned, USS Cor Caroli (AK-91), 16 April 1943, LCDR. J. A. Lewis, USCGR, in command
  • During World War II Cor Caroli was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:
  • Decommissioned, 30 November 1945, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown)
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission, 2 December 1945 for disposal, name reverted to SS Betsy Ross
  • Final Disposition, reefed off Florida in 1978
  • Cor Caroli received one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 11,565 t.(fl)
    Length 441' 6"
    Beam 56' 11"
    Draft 28' 4"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 198
    Armament one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount, one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 40mm guns, six 20mm guns
    Propulsion Joshua Hendy Ironworks reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 1,950shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Cor Caroli 105k Aft plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91) at San Francisco, CA., 1 April 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2240-3-43, 4/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 127k Amidships looking forward plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91) at San Francisco, CA., 1 April 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2241-3-43, 4/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 93k Amidships plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91) at San Francisco, CA., 1 April 1943. Note the Betsy Ross name board still in place.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2242-3-43, 4/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 94k Amidship plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91), before conversion, while moored pierside at San Francisco, CA., 19 April 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2779-43, 4/19/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 83k Forward plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91) while moored pierside at San Francisco, CA., 19 April 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2781-43, 4/19/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 84k Aft plan view of Cor Caroli (AK-91) while moored pierside at San Francisco, CA., 22 April 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 2918-43, 4/22/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 51k Cor Caroli (AK-91), stern view, underway off San Francisco, CA., 1 May 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3171-43, 5/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 57k Cor Caroli (AK-91), broadside view, underway off San Francisco, CA., 1 May 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3173-43, 5/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 60k Cor Caroli (AK-91) bow on view, underway off San Francisco, CA., 1 May 1943.
    Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 3173-43, 5/1/43    		 Darryl Baker
    Cor Caroli 57k Ex-Cor Caroli (AK-91) nested with other hulks ready for disposal, circa 1978, place unknown. David Nixon
    View the Cor Caroli (AK-91)
    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 Cor Caroli AK-91
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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