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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Cor Caroli (AK-91)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Kilo - Golf - Golf
NKGG
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



USS Cor Caroli (AK-91) was manned by the US Coast Guard during World War II
Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, date unknown, 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. James A. Lewis, USCGR, in command
  • During World War II USS Cor Caroli was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Marianas operation
    Capture and occupation of Guam, 27 July to 15 August 1944

  • Decommissioned, 30 November 1945, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission, 2 December 1945 for disposal, name reverted to SS Betsy Ross
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 19 December 1945
  • USS Cor Caroli earned one battle star for World War II service
  • Final Disposition, transferred to the state of South Carolina, 26 May 1975, reefed, 16 miles off Hilton Head, S.C.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 14,550 t.(fl)
    Length 441' 6"
    Beam 56' 11"
    Draft 28' 4"
    Speed 12.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 16
    Enlisted 190
    Cargo Capacity 7,750 DWT
    non-refrigerated 400,000 Cu ft
    Largest Boom Capacity 50 t.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    one single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    six single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity
    NSFO 7,285 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one Joshua-Hendy vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
    two Babcock & Wilcox header-type boilers, 220psi 450°
    Ship's Service Generators
    three recip-drive 20Kw 120V D.C.
    one turbo-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 2,500shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Cor Caroli 105k Aft plan view of USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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 USS 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

    USS Cor Caroli (AK-91)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Lewis, James A., USCGR16 April 1943 - April 1944
    02CDR. Wev, Oscar Cottman Buckingham, USCGApril 1944 - 1 September 1944
    03LCDR. Morton, Fred E., USCGR1 September 1944 - 6 October 1945
    04LCDR. Hoag, Chester S., USCG6 October 1945 - 30 November 1945
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database

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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 26 September 2015