View source for USS Algorab

{{short description|Cargo ship of the United States Navy}}
{{other ships|SS Mormacwren}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=USS Algorab (AKA-8) at anchor in San Francisco Bay, California (USA), in late 1945 (NH 78541).jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Algorab'' in San Francisco, 1945/1946. Image shows the final configuration of the ''Arcturus'' class.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship name=*''Mormacwren''
*USS ''Algorab''
|Ship namesake=[[Delta Corvi|Algorab]], a star in the constellation [[Corvus (constellation)|Corvus]]
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.]], [[Chester, Pennsylvania]]
|Ship laid down= 10 August 1938, as ''Mormacwren''
|Ship launched= 15 June 1939 
|Ship acquired= 6 June 1941{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship commissioned= 15 June 1941{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}} 
|Ship decommissioned= 3 December 1945{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified= AKA-8 (attack cargo ship), 1 February 1943{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck= 19 December 1945{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours= 4 [[battle star]]s (World War II){{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship fate=*Sold into merchant service, 3 April 1947
*Scrapped, 1973{{sfn|Colton: Shipbuilding History}}
|Ship notes=U.S. [[Official number]]: 238889{{sfn|MARAD Vessel Status Card: ''Mormacwren''}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class= {{sclass|Arcturus|attack cargo ship}}{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship type= [[Type C2 ship]]
|Ship displacement= {{cvt|14225|LT|0}} full{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship length= {{cvt|459|ft|1|in|m}}{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|63|ft}}{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship draft= {{cvt|26|ft|5|in|m}}{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship propulsion=  
|Ship speed={{convert|16.5|kn|lk=in}}{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=397{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*1 × [[5-inch/38-caliber gun]] mount
*4 × twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm]] gun mounts
*18 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm]] gun mounts{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''USS ''Algorab'' (AKA-8)''' was laid down as '''''Mormacwren''''',<ref group=note>A second ''Mormacwren'', U.S. O/N 242616, followed in 1942. It was a C1-B type completed 26 December 1942 and converted to a troop ship operated by [[Moore-McCormack Lines, Inc.]], for the [[War Shipping Administration]]. The MARAD Vessel Status Card for this ship is in the same URL location as for the earlier ship.</ref> one of the earliest [[Maritime Commission]]-type C2 ships (MC hull 20), on 10 August 1938 by the [[Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.]], [[Chester, Pennsylvania]] as hull 177 for Moore-McCormack.{{sfn|Colton: Shipbuilding History}}{{sfn|Sun Launching One C-2 A Month (PMR July 1939)|p=50}} ''Mormacwren'' was acquired by the United States Navy 6 June 1941, commissioned 15 June 1941 as USS ''Algorab'' (AK-25) and was redesignated an attack transport on 1 February 1943 with the hull number chanted to AKA-8. ''Algorab'' decommissioned on 3 December 1945 and was delivered to the Maritime Commission on 30 June 1946 for disposal, purchased by Wallem & Co. on 4 April 1947 for commercial service.

''Algorab'' served in the Atlantic with voyages to Iceland and the Caribbean until transporting Army troops to the Pacific in 1942 and remaining there with the exception of returning for the landings in North Africa.

==Construction and design==
''Mormacwren'' was one of six C2 type motor ships, the first being {{MS|Donald McKay}}, built at Sun designed as {{DWT|8,800}} cargo liners with capacity for twelve passengers in staterooms with bath and a design speed of {{convert|17|knots|mph km/h}}.{{sfn|Sun Launching One C-2 A Month (PMR July 1939)|p=50}}{{sfn|Pacific Marine Review (June 1940)|p=24}}<ref group=note>The others of the group were ''Mormachawk'' which became {{USS|Arcturus|AKA-1|6}}, ''Mormacgull'' / {{USS|Alcyone|AKA-7|6}}, ''Mormacdove'' / {{USS|Alchiba|AKA-6|6}} and ''Mormaclark'' / {{USS|Betelgeuse|AKA-11|6}}.</ref> ''Mormacwren'' was launched on 15 June 1939 sponsored by Miss Barbara Ann Moore, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Moore-McCormack Lines' President.{{sfn|Sun Launching One C-2 A Month (PMR July 1939)|p=50}}<ref group=note>DANFS has "sponsored by Miss Mary Aldrich" which may be the Navy renaming ceremony or a mistake. A prominent shipping industry journal in a ''contemporary'' piece is almost certainly accurate about the ''Mormacwren'' sponsor.</ref>

The design specifications for the six ships were for length overall of {{cvt|459|ft|1}}, length between perpendiculars {{cvt|435|ft|1}}, molded beam of {{convert|63|ft|1}}, depth to shelter deck of {{cvt|40|ft|6|in|m|1}} and loaded draft of {{cvt|25|ft|9|in|m|1}}. Cargo capacity was for {{convert|540000|ft3|1}} with loaded displacement of {{convert|13900|LT||0}} and cargo deadweight of {{cvt|7613|LT||0}}. With fuel capacity of {{convert|1500|LT|0}} cruising range was approximately {{convert|20000|mi|1}} at a normal speed of {{convert|15.5|kn|lk=in}}. The hull was a full shelter deck type with seven transverse water tight bulkheads, five holds, three forward and two aft of the engine spaces with {{cvt|20|ft|1}} by {{cvt|30|ft|1}} hatches except for #1 at {{cvt|29|ft|3|in|m|1}} in length and #3 which was {{cvt|50|ft|1}} in length. Holds were served by booms and 50-horsepower electric winches on six king posts. The four-story deck house had quarters for officers and six staterooms with private baths on the bridge deck for twelve passengers. Crew spaces were on the shelter deck level of the deck house.{{sfn|Commission's First C-2 Standard Cargo Vessel (PMR July 1939)}}

Propulsion was by a direct connected, four cylinder, double opposed piston Sun-Doxford diesel developing 6,000 shaft horsepower at 92 revolutions on the single {{cvt|20|ft|1}} diameter, {{cvt|21|ft|1}} pitch screw. Piston bore was {{cvt|32|in|m|1}} and combined stroke of {{cvt|95|in|m|1}}. At the time this was the most powerful marine diesel built in the United States and was capable of operating two hours under 25% overload for 7,500 horsepower. Exhaust heat, or oil for port or emergencies, drove a steam generator providing steam for cooking, heating and hot water services. Three 250-kilowatt diesel generators provided electrical service.{{sfn|Commission's First C-2 Standard Cargo Vessel (PMR July 1939)}}

==Navy acquisition==
On 4 June 1941 the Maritime Commission, Division of Emergency Shipping, announced negotiated acquisition of twenty-eight vessels of which twenty-one were to be turned over to the Navy, ''Mormacwren'' being one, and seven to be turned over to the Army.{{sfn|Pacific Marine Review (July 1941)|p=45}} ''Mormacwren'' was delivered to the Navy on 6 June 1941 with conversions made at the [[Boston Navy Yard]].{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}{{sfn|Colton: Shipbuilding History (AK, AKA, AKN, AKR, AKS)}} On 15 June 1941 the ship was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] as USS ''Algorab'' (AK-25), named for a star in the constellation [[Corvus (constellation)|Corvus]], at Boston, Massachusetts.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}} On 1 February 1943 ''Algorab'' was reclassified as an {{sclass|Arcturus|attack cargo ship}} attack cargo ship, hull number AKA-8. She served as a commissioned ship for 4 years and 5 months.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

==Service history==

===1941===
Following her commissioning, the cargo ship held shakedown along the [[East Coast of the United States|East Coast]]. On 4 October, she proceeded to [[Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador|Little Placentia Harbor]], [[Dominion of Newfoundland|Newfoundland]]. There she joined an [[Iceland]]-bound convoy, sailed on 12 October, and reached [[Hvalfjörður]] on 9 November. After discharging her cargo, the ship returned to [[New York City]], where she underwent repairs and alterations. She got underway again on 6 December and steamed to [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk]].{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

===1942===
On 5 February 1942, ''Algorab'' sailed to the [[Caribbean]] with general cargo on board. She stopped at [[St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands]]; [[San Juan, Puerto Rico]]; and [[Guantánamo Bay]], [[Cuba]]. After loading raw sugar in Cuba, the ship carried it to [[Baltimore]]. She moved to New York City shortly thereafter and embarked [[United States Army|Army]] troops for transportation to the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific]]. She transited the [[Panama Canal]]; made port calls at [[San Diego]] and [[San Francisco]], California; then continued on to [[Nukuʻalofa]], [[Tongatapu]]. ''Algorab'' reached Nukuʻalofa on 27 June, then retraced her course to San Francisco, and, upon her return, began a period of repairs.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

''Algorab'' left San Francisco on 9 August bound via the Panama Canal for Norfolk. While conducting a tactical maneuver in convoy on 11 September, she collided with {{USS|Harris|AP-8|6}} and suffered extensive damage in the forepart of the ship. Twenty-three feet of her bow was sheared off and one of her bulkheads buckled. One of her crewmen was killed. However, the ship was able to continue unassisted and reached Norfolk on 13 September.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

Her repairs completed on 7 October, ''Algorab'' loaded and proceeded in company with Transport Division (TransDiv) 5 to Mehdia, [[French Morocco]]. She was scheduled to take part in the [[Operation Torch|landings in North Africa]]. These began on 8 November, and ''Algorab'' provided landing boats for assault troops. Ten days later, after completing her role in the successful invasion, she left the area on 18 November bound for Norfolk, where she arrived on 30 November. She underwent a brief period of repairs, then sailed on 17 December for the South Pacific.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

===1943&ndash;1944===
''Algorab'' reached [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]], on 18 January 1943 and discharged her cargo. On 1 February, the ship was reclassified an attack cargo ship and redesignated AKA-8. She spent the period between January and June supporting consolidation operations in the southern [[Solomon Islands]]. ''Algorab'' made a total of five voyages between New Caledonia, [[Espiritu Santo]], and [[Guadalcanal]] or [[Tulagi]].{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

On 30 June, ''Algorab'' took part in the landings on [[Rendova Island]]. While retiring to Tulagi that afternoon, her convoy was attacked by Japanese [[torpedo bomber]]s. Her gunners assisted in the destruction of five enemy planes, and the attack cargo ship proceeded to Tulagi. From 1 July to 17 August, she made more voyages carrying troops and equipment between Guadalcanal; [[Jayapura|Hollandia]], [[New Guinea]]; New Caledonia; and Espiritu Santo.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

''Algorab'' sailed for [[Australia]], on 22 August, arrived at [[Sydney]] on the 25th, and began repairs to her main engine. On 15 September, the attack cargo ship sailed to [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]], Australia, for amphibious warfare training exercises. After they were completed, she sailed to [[Moreton Bay]], Australia, and remained at anchor there until 22 November. On that date, the ship entered drydock at [[Brisbane]] for a major overhaul.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

''Algorab'' got underway for the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]] on 5 September 1944, under tow and operating on reduced power. She reached San Francisco on 30 September for major engine repairs and hull alterations at the [[Moore Dry Dock Company]], Oakland, California.

===1945===
She left [[drydock]] on 30 January 1945 and, following engine trials, sailed on 5 February en route to [[Leyte]], [[Philippines]]. The ship paused at [[Eniwetok]] to join a convoy; put in at Leyte on 4 March; and, upon her arrival, began onloading ammunition, vehicles, and provisions earmarked for the [[Battle of Okinawa|Ryukyus campaign]].{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

''Algorab'' sailed with TransDiv 37 on 27 March, arrived off [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] on 1 April, and sent off her boats at 0600. Her cargo was completely unloaded by 9 April, and ''Algorab'' sailed that day for [[Hawaiian Islands|Hawaii]]. She made a brief stop in [[Saipan]], reached [[Pearl Harbor]] on 24 April, and underwent another period of engine repairs before the vessel sailed on 10 May for San Francisco.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

Upon her arrival, on 18 May, ''Algorab'' received repairs at the General Engineering & Drydock Co. which continued through October. On 14 October, preparations were begun for deactivation. ''Algorab'' was decommissioned on 3 December, and her name was struck from the [[Naval Vessel Register|Navy List]] on 19 December.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}

===Honors and awards===
*[[File:Combat Action Ribbon, 2nd award.svg|106px]] [[Combat Action Ribbon]] (two awards, for actions of 30&nbsp;June&nbsp;1943 and 6&nbsp;April&nbsp;1945)
*{{ribbon devices|number=0|other_device=a|name=American Defense Service Medal ribbon|width=106}} [[American Defense Service Medal]] with [["A" device]]
*[[File:American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[American Campaign Medal]]
*{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with one [[battle star]] for [[World War II]] service{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
*{{ribbon devices|number=3|type=service-star|ribbon=Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]] with three battle stars for World War II service{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}
*[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[World War II Victory Medal]]

==Return to commercial service==
''Algorab'' was declared surplus and returned to the Maritime Commission on 30 June 1946 for layup at [[Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet|Suisun Bay]] awaiting sale.{{sfn|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}{{sfn|MARAD Vessel Status Card: ''Mormacwren''}} The ship was sold to Wallem & Co. on 4 April 1947 for merchant service and later renamed ''Kamran'', ''Mongala'', and ''Hellenic Sailor''.{{sfn|Colton: Shipbuilding History}}{{sfn|MARAD Vessel Status Card: ''Mormacwren''}} She was scrapped in 1973.{{sfn|Colton: Shipbuilding History}}

== Footnotes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite web |url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/c2cargoships.htm |title=C2 Cargo Ships |author=Colton, T. |date=12 March 2010 |work=Shipbuilding History |access-date=14 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Colton: Shipbuilding History}} |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131217011556/http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/merchantships/wwii/c2cargoships.htm |archive-date=17 December 2013}}
*{{cite web |url=http://shipbuildinghistory.com/history/navalships/auxk.htm |title=Cargo Ships (AK, AKA, AKN, AKR, AKS) |author=Colton, T. |date=18 April 2009 |work=Shipbuilding History |access-date=14 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Colton: Shipbuilding History (AK, AKA, AKN, AKR, AKS)}}}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.marad.dot.gov/sh/ShipHistory/Detail/3494 |title=''Mormacwren'' |author=Maritime Administration |work=Ship History Database Vessel Status Card |publisher= U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration |ref={{sfnref|MARAD Vessel Status Card: ''Mormacwren''}}}}
*{{cite web |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/a/algorab.html |title=''Algorab'' |author=Naval History And Heritage Command |work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships |publisher=Naval History And Heritage Command |access-date=14 March 2015|ref={{sfnref|Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: ''Algorab''}}}}
*{{cite journal |last=Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |year=1939 |title=Commission's First C-2 Standard Cargo Vessel |journal=Pacific Marine Review |volume=36 |issue=July 1939 |location=San Francisco |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3639paci#page/n357/mode/2up |access-date=14 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Commission's First C-2 Standard Cargo Vessel (PMR July 1939)}}}}
*{{cite journal |last=Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |year=1939 |title=Sun Launching One C-2 A Month |journal=Pacific Marine Review |volume=36 |issue=July 1939 |location=San Francisco |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3639paci#page/n373/mode/1up |access-date=14 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Sun Launching One C-2 A Month (PMR July 1939)}}}}
*{{cite journal |last=Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |year=1940 |title=The Fleet of Moore-McCormack Lines Operating and Under Construction as of May 7, 1940 |journal=Pacific Marine Review |volume=37 |issue=June 1940 |location=San Francisco |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3740paci#page/n305/mode/1up |access-date=14 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Pacific Marine Review (June 1940)}}}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Pacific American Steamship Association; Shipowners Association of the Pacific Coast |year=1941 |title=The Maritime Commission Now in Complete Control of Coastwise, Intercoastal and Overseas Shipping—Acquisition of Ships For Emergency |volume=38 |issue=July 1941 |pages=44–45 |publisher=J.S. Hines |url=https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3841paci#page/n491/mode/2up |access-date=16 March 2015 |ref={{sfnref|Pacific Marine Review (July 1941)}}}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[https://archive.org/stream/pacificmarinerev3639paci#page/n359/mode/1up Inboard profile and general arrangement plans for the six Sun diesel C2s]
*{{navsource|10/02/02008|USS Algorab (AK-25/AKA-8)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060620071629/http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]

{{Type C2 ships}}
{{Arcturus class attack cargo ship}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Algorab (AKA-8)}}
[[Category:1939 ships]]
[[Category:Type C2 ships]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Ships built by the Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company]]
[[Category:World War II auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Type C2 ships of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Arcturus-class attack cargo ships]]
[[Category:World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States]]