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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AK-113 Rutilicus


Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - Tango - Zulu
 NTTZ
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (2)
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Liberation Medal
Crater Class Cargo Ship
  • Laid down, 2 April 1943, as SS Andrew Rowan, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 1643), at California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA.
  • Launched, 26 April 1943
  • Delivered to Waterman Steamship Co., 8 May 1943, for operation
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 9 October 1943
  • Commissioned, USS Rutilicus (AK-113), 30 October 1943, at San Diego, CA., LCDR. H. O. Matthieson in command
  • During WWII Rutilicus was assigned to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaigns:
    Asiatic-Pacific Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates Campaign and Dates
    Marshall Islands operation
    Occupation of Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls, 3 February 1944     		Tinian
    Capture and occupation, 24 July to 1 August 1944

  • Decommissioned, 11 December 1945, at Norfolk, VA.
  • Delivered to the Maritime Commission, 18 December 1945, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Lee Hall, VA., name reverted to SS Andrew Rowan
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 8 January 1946
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 26 October 1971, to Hierros Ardes, S.A., of Balbao, Spain
  • Rutilicus received two battle stars 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 single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    six single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 1,950shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Rutilicus 70k Rutilicus (AK-113) moored, probably while undergoing conversion for Naval Service in October 1943 at San Diego. Her camouflage is Measure 32 Design 11F.
    US Navy photo    		 David Nixon
    View the Rutilicus (AK-113)
    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
    No Information Available
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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 24 January 2008