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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Aries (AK-51)
ex
 Manomet (AG-37) (1941 - 1942)
 USS Lake Geneva (ID #4215B) (1918 - 1919)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Echo - Delta - Golf
 NEDG
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Second Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Liberation Medal
  • Built in 1918, as SS Lake Geneva under United States Shipping Board (USSB) contract at Mc Dougal-Duluth Co., Duluth, MN.
  • Completed in August 1918
  • Delivered to the US Navy at Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 21 September 1918
  • Commission USS Lake Geneva, 22 September 1918, assigned to the Naval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS) as a collier, LCDR. Francis A. Brannen, USNRF, in command
  • Decommissioned, 17 July 1919
  • Struck from the Naval Register and returned to the United States Shipping Board USSB for lay up
  • Sold by the USSB to Bison Steam Ship Co., Tonawanda, N.Y., in 1925, renamed SS John J O'Hagan
  • Purchased from her owners by the Maritime Commission and transferred to the US Navy, 22 September 1941
  • Renamed Manomet (AG-37), 15 October 1941
  • Converted for Naval Service at General Ship & Engine Works, East Boston, MA.
  • Renamed and redesignated Aries (AK-51), 7 January 1942
  • Delivered to Marine Lines of New York, N.Y. to operate under contract to the Naval Transportation Service (NTS)
  • Returned to US Naval custody, 11 July 1942
  • Commissioned USS Aries (AK-51), 18 July 1942, at Bethlehem Steel Co., Brooklyn, N.Y., LT. Philip S. Deane, Jr., USNR assuming temporary command for LCDR. L. Sederholt, USNR, who reported a week later.
  • Decommissioned, 28 March 1946, at Oakland, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 17 April 1946
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission for lay up, name reverted to SS John J. O'Hagan
  • Sold in 1948 to Adelanto SS Co. reflagged Panamanian and renamed SS Adelanto
  • Sold in 1950 to Hammond & Ghaggino, Panama
  • Final Disposition, scrapped in Hong Kong in 1952
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,500 t.
    Length 261'
    Beam 43' 6"
    Draft 17' 10"
    Speed 9.25 kts.
    Complement 122
    Armament
    Original - 1942
    one single 4"/50, mounted aft
    Updated - 1944
    two single 3" gun mounts
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Propulsion reciprocating steam engine, single shaft
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Aries 107k Aries (AK-51) off Boston Navy Yard, MA., 26 May 1942 just after conversion. Her main armament consists of a single 4"/50 gun aft and she is manned by a civilian crew.
    US Navy photo # NH 92692. Courtesy James C. Fahey.    		 Robert Hurst
    Aries 121k Aries (AK-51) off Boston Navy Yard, MA., 26 May 1942 just after conversion. Her main armament consists of a single 4"/50 gun aft and she is manned by a civilian crew.
    US Navy photo # NH 92691. Courtesy James C. Fahey.    		 Robert Hurst
    Aries 146k Forward plan view of USS Aries (AK-51) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 27 May 1944, two days before her first trials after overhaul. The stern of USS Portland (CA 33) is in the background.
    Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 3206-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Aries 160k Aft plan view of USS Aries (AK-51) at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 27 May 1944, two days before her first trials after overhaul. The bow of USS Portland (CA 33) is in the background, far right, Mare Island built pile driver YPD-4 is forward of USS Aries.
    Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 3208-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Aries 140k Bow on view of USS Aries (AK-51) off Mare Island on her first trail after overhaul, 29 May 1944.
    Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 3229-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Aries 81k Stern view of USS Aries (AK-51) off Mare Island on her first trail after overhaul, 29 May 1944.
    Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 3230-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Aries 78k Broadside view of USS Aries (AK-51) off Mare Island on her first trail after overhaul, 29 May 1944. Aires returned to the shipyard the same day and finally departed on 27 August 1944 after a complete engine replacement. She was at the shipyard from 26 April until 27 August 1944.
    Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 3233-44.    		 Darryl Baker
    Aries 77k USS Aries (AK-51) underway, circa late 1945. Note that her armament has been removed.
    US Navy photo # 82224. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1975.    		 Robert Hurst
    View the USS Lake Geneva / Manomet (AG-37) / USS Aries (AK-51)
    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 27 June 2008