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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Alkaid (AK-114)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - November - Quebec
NTNQ
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 (1) - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)


Crater Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 13 September 1943, as SS William G. Sumner, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCE hull 1211), at St. John's River Shipbuilding Co., Inc., Jacksonville, FL.
  • Launched, 8 November 1943
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 19 November 1943
  • Converted for Naval service at Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville, FL.
  • Commissioned, USS Alkaid (AK-114), 27 March 1944, at Jacksonville, FL. LCDR . Edward G. Gummer in command
  • During World War II USS Alkaid was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign;

    Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
    Campaign and Dates
    Okinawa Gunto operation
    Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, 15 to 31 May 1945

  • Following World War II USS Alkaid was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 28 September to 16 November 1945
  • Decommissioned, 11 March 1946, at San Francisco, CA.
  • Delivered to the Maritime Commission, 11 March 1946, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 28 March 1946
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 20 April 1964, to National Metal and Steel Co., removed, 20 April 1964, completed, 23 December 1965
  • USS Alkaid earned one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 14,550 t.(fl)
    Length 441' 6"
    Beam 56' 11"
    Draft 28' 4"
    Speed 12.5 kts. (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 16
    Enlisted 190
    Troop Accommodations
    Officers 46
    Enlisted 1018
    Largest Boom Capacity 37 t.
    Cargo Capacity 4,520 DWT
    non-refrigerated 285,600 Cu ft.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    four single 40mm AA gun mounts
    six single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity
    NSFO 7,285 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one General Machine vertical triple expansion reciprocating steam engine
    two Combustion Engineering header-type boilers, 220psi 450°
    Ship's Service Generators
    three turbo-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 2,500shp

    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Alkaid 92k USS Alkaid (AK-114) underway, date and location unknown. Her camouflage is Measure 32 Design 1F. Rick Hart for his father Joseph D. Hart GM3/c USS Alkaid
    Alkaid 217k USS Alkaid (AK-114) entering San Francisco Bay after passing under the Golden Gate Bridge, 9 January 1946. Rick Hart for his father Joseph D. Hart GM3/c USS Alkaid and
    Robert Johansen for his father LCDR Alfred O. Johansen USNR CO USS Alkaid
    Alkaid 227k USS Alkaid (AK-114) crew photo, 27 February 1946, at San Francisco. CA.
    Commanding OIfficer LCDR Alfred O. Johansen, seated center front.
    Robert Johansen for his father LCDR Alfred O. Johansen USNR CO USS Alkaid

    USS Alkaid (AK-114)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Gummer, Edward George27 March 1944 - 15 April 1945
    02LCDR. Johansen, Alfred Oscar, USNR15 April 1945 - 11 March 1946
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    USS Alkaid (AK-114) Miscellaneous Documents
    MARAD Vessel History Database
    Back To The Main Photo Index Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Cargo Ship (AK) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 5 December 2014