Tolland-class attack cargo ship explained

The Tolland-class attack cargo ships were built by North Carolina Shipbuilding Co. in Wilmington, North Carolina during the latter stages of World War II.[1]

All these ships were built on the same standard hull design, but there were some differences from ship to ship. The armament varied, as did that of the other ships of the day. During 1944-1945, the 5"/38 was recognized as the best gun for the dual role of antiaircraft and naval gunfire support, and the 40 mm was seen as the best antiaircraft gun. The older 20 mm and .50 caliber guns had been recognized to be of limited value, and were being phased out, though they appeared on some of these ships. The 20 mm guns were later removed from all of them, but it is not clear just when this happened.

The complement varied as well, but the DANFS figures sometimes seem to confuse ship's company with embarked troops in determining a ship's complement.

Ships in Class

Hull no.ShipKeel laidLaunchedCommissionDecommFate
AKA-64Sold into merchant service 3 October 1947Scrapped June 1971
AKA-65Sold into merchant service, 1947Scrapped, 1971
AKA-66Sold into civilian service, American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines as SS Flying Clipper
AKA-67Sold into merchant service, 3 December 1947, Sold for scrapping, 9 September 1970
AKA-68Sold to Oceanic Steamship Company, Scrapped in Taiwan by Kenematsu-Gosho, Ltd. 4 September 1971
AKA-69Sold for commercial service, Scrapped in Taiwan, 1971
AKA-70Sold into merchant service, scrapped October 1970
AKA-71Sold for commercial service, scrapped 22 February 1972
AKA-72Sold into merchant service, 15 September 1947, Scrapped at Santander, Spain starting in August 1972
AKA-73Sold into merchant service 31 June 1947, Sold for scrapping 16 October 1970
AKA-74Sold into merchant service, 1 October 1947, Scrapped 1971
AKA-75Sold for merchant service, Scrapped 1971 in Taiwan
AKA-76Sold into merchant service, 15 September 1947, Scrapped at Santander, Spain starting in August 1972
AKA-77Sold for civilian use, abandoned July 1967 as a constructive total loss & scuttled.
AKA-78Sold for merchant service, scrapped 27 October 1969
AKA-79Sold into merchant service, 1947, Sold for scrapping, 1970
AKA-80Sold into merchant service, 1948
AKA-81Sold into merchant service, 1946, Scrapped May 1970
AKA-82Sold into merchant service February 1947, Scrapped February 1971
AKA-83Sold into merchant service, 1947, Scrapped 22 November 1971
AKA-84Sold into merchant service, 1947, Scrapped October 1970
AKA-85Sold for merchant service, 3 April 1947, Scrapped at Taiwan, December 1973
AKA-86Sold into merchant service, 31 October 1947, Scrapped, 19 May 1973
AKA-87Sold into merchant service, 1946, Scrapped in 1971
AKA-101Sold into merchant service, 1946, Lost, 1951
AKA-102Sold into merchant service, 1947, Scrapped, March 1970
AKA-103Recommissioned 1952-1971, Sunk as a fishing & diving reef off Stuart, Florida, 24 July 1988
AKA-104Sold for scrapping, 16 November 1977
AKA-105Recommissioned 1950-1969, Sold for scrap, 22 April 1974
AKA-106Sold for scrap, September 1977
AKA-107Recommissioned 1950-1971, Sunk as artificial reef 24 August 1988
AKA-108Sold for scrap
AKA-109Cancelled 27 August 1945

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bridgman. Jeff. WWII U.S. NAVY COMMISSIONING PENNANT FROM THE U.S.S. CASWELL, TOLLAND-CLASS ATTACK CARGO SHIP, COMMISSIONED DEC. 13, 1944, THAT PARTICIPATED IN OKINAWA IN SUPPORT OF THE 6TH MARINES. www.jeffbridgman.com. Jeff Bridgman Antique Flags and Painted Furniture. May 9, 2017.