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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

AKA / LKA-57 Capricornus

Andromeda Class Amphibious Cargo Ship: Laid down, as Spitfire, a Maritime Commissioned type (C2-S-B1) hull, under a Maritime Commission contract, at Moore Drydock Co., Oakland CA.; Launched, 14 August 1943; Acquired by the Navy and placed in partial commission, 25 November 1943; Decommissioned, 29 November 1943, at Portland OR.; Recommissioned USS Capricornus (AKA-57), 31 May 1944, at Willamette Shipyard, Portland OR.; Decommissioned, 30 March 1948, at Norfolk VA.; Laid up in the Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 12 October 1950; Redesignated (LKA-57), 1 January 1969; Decommissioned, 10 February 1970; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 January 1977; Returned to the Maritime Administration for disposal; Final Disposition, fate unknown. Capricornus received four battle stars for World War II service.

Specifications: Displacement 6,556 t.(lt) 13,900 t.(fl); Length 459' 2"; Beam 63'; Draft 26' 4"; Speed 16kts; Complement 247; Capacity: 4,450 dwt cargo; Armament one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount, four twin 40mm gun mounts, eighteen single 20mm gun mounts; Boats; 8 LCMs, 1 LCP(L), 15 LCVPs; Propulsion, steam turbine, single shaft, 6,000shp.
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Capricornus 188k Capricornus (AKA-57), March 1967, Caribbean Sea. © Richard Leonhardt
Capricornus 64k Capricornus (AKA-57), March 1967, Caribbean Sea. © Richard Leonhardt
Capricornus 43k Capricornus (AKA-57), date and place unknown. -
View the Capricornus (AKA/LKA-57)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway web site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Capricornus (AKA-57) Association
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