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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

T-AKV-4 / T-AK-275 PVT. Joseph F. Merrell

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

National Defense Service Medal
LT. James E Robinson Class Cargo Ship
  • Laid down in March 1943 as SS Grange Victory, a Maritime Commission type (VC2-S-AP2) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCV hull 33) at California Shipbuilding, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Launched, 28 June 1944
  • Delivered to the War Shipping Administration for operation by Isthmian SS Co, 7 August 1944
  • Acquired by the US Army Transportation Service in 1946
  • Placed in Commission as USAT Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell in 1946
  • Decommissioned by the US Army and acquired by the US Navy, 1 March 1950
  • Placed in service by the Military Sea Transportation Service MSTS as Aircraft Transport USNS Pvt Joseph F. Merrell (T-AKV-4)
  • Reclassified Cargo Ship (T-AK-275) (date unknown)
  • Placed out of service (date unknown)
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping by MARAD, 17 February 1983
    Specifications:
    Displacement 15,589 t.(fl)
    Length 455'
    Beam 62'
    Draft 29' 2"
    Speed 15.5 kts.
    Complement 99
    Armament none
    Propulsion steam turbine, single screw, 8,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Merrell 59k Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell (T-AK-275) moored to the ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica to offload cargo for Operation "Deep Freeze 63", 9 January 1963. Photographed by PH2c Thomas J. Regina, USNUS Navy photo # NH 103612 by PH2 Thomas J. Regina, USN, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Ramon Jackson
    Merrell 88k Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell (T-AK-275) down at the stern and surrounded by oil containment booms, in San Juan Bay, CA.. Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell had sustained heavy hull damage in a collision, 29 December 1973.US Navy photo # NH 103609-KN from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Ramon Jackson
    There is no DANFS history available for Pvt. Joseph F. Merrell (T-AKV-4 / T-AK-275) at NavSource
    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
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    Last Updated 27 October 2006