Originally planned as LST-1137, the ship was redesignated ARL-33 14 August 1944. Her design was a modification of the LST Mk.2. Other repair ships and tenders followed her precedent.
Chimaera was launched 30 March 1945 by Chicago Bridge and Iron Co., Seneca, Ill., sponsored by Mrs. D. L. Mahoney. She was placed in partial commission 11 April 1945 and decommissioned 7 May 1945 for conversion at Baltimore, Md.. She was commissioned in full on 7 August 1945. Sailing from Norfolk, Virginia 18 September 1945, Chimaera arrived at Green Cove Springs, Florida 21 September to serve as flagship for Commander, St. John's River Reserve Group, Atlantic Fleet until 1 March 1946. On 29 April she cleared for San Pedro, California, arriving 21 May. Local operations were conducted until 17 September when she got underway for the western Pacific. She called at Pearl Harbor and arrived at Qingdao, China 23 October to provide services to the 7th Fleet. On 14 October 1947 she departed Qingdao for San Pedro. Chimaera was placed out of commission in reserve 8 March 1948.[1] Laid up at the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group, she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in July 1961 and sold in March 1964.