Wikipedia

USNS Private John F. Thorson

(Redirected from MS Becket Bend)

USNS Private John F. Thorson (T-AK-247) was a US Maritime Administration (MARCOM) C1-M-AV1 type coastal cargo ship, originally planned as an Alamosa-class cargo ship. Constructed as Becket Bend for MARCOM, completed in August 1945 and placed in operation by the War Shipping Administration. However, the war ended, and she was transferred to the US Army as USAT Private John F. Thorson who kept her in service until transferred to the US Navy in 1950. She was struck in 1960, ending her military career.

History
United States
NameBecket Bend
NamesakeBecket bend
Orderedas type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2486[1]
BuilderSoutheastern Shipbuilding Corporation, Savannah, Georgia
Yard numberAV2[1]
Laid down8 January 1945
Launched26 February 1945
Sponsored byMrs. L. S. deSevilla
Commissioneddelivered to the Maritime Commission (MARCOM) prior to commissioning, 6 July 1945
IdentificationHull symbol: AK-247 (never received number)
FateTransferred to the War Shipping Administration (WSA), 23 July 1946
United States
Name
  • Becket Bend
  • Private John F. Thorson
NamesakeJohn F. Thorson, awarded Medal of Honor during WWII
OwnerWSA
OperatorUS Army
Acquired25 July 1946
In service25 July 1946
Out of service1 March 1950
Renamed31 October 1947
FateTransferred to the US Navy, 1 March 1950
United States
NamePrivate John F. Thorson
OwnerUS Navy
OperatorMilitary Sea Transportation Service (MSTS)
Acquired1 March 1950
In service1 March 1950
Out of service1954
Stricken1 October 1958
IdentificationHull symbol: T-AK-247
FateTransferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD), 29 August 1960
United States
NamePrivate John F. Thorson
OwnerMARAD
Acquired29 August 1960
FateSold for scrapping, 29 August 1960
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeAlamosa-class cargo ship
TypeC1-M-AV1
Tonnage5,032 long tons deadweight (DWT)[1]
Displacement
  • 2,382 long tons (2,420 t) (standard)
  • 7,450 long tons (7,570 t) (full load)
Length388 ft 8 in (118.47 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft21 ft 1 in (6.43 m)
Installed power
Propulsion1 × propeller
Speed11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity
  • 3,945 t (3,883 long tons) DWT
  • 9,830 cu ft (278 m3) (refrigerated)
  • 227,730 cu ft (6,449 m3) (non-refrigerated)
Complement
  • 15 Officers
  • 70 Enlisted
Armament

Construction

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Becket Bend was laid down under MARCOM contract, MC hull 2486, by the Southeastern Shipbuilding Corporation, Savannah, Georgia on 8 January 1945; launched 26 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. L. S. deSevilla; and delivered via MARCOM to Moore–McCormack Lines, Inc., 6 July 1945.[3]

As Becket Bend, the cargo ship was operated by Moore–McCormack under General Agency Agreement (GAA). Title for the ship was transferred from the War Shipping Administration to the Army 23 July 1954 and the actual transfer to custody took place two days later at New Orleans, Louisiana.[3]

US Army service

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Renamed Private John F. Thorson 31 October 1947, she operated as an Army Transportation Service ship until transferred to the Navy 1 March 1950.[3]

US Navy service

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Placed in service as T–AK–247, she was assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and operated from Gulf ports until 1954. Transferred to the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Charleston Group, she decommissioned 2 August 1954 and was struck from the Navy List 1 October 1958.[3]

Final inactivation

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Private John F. Thorson remained at Charleston until transferred to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) 29 August 1960. The same day she was sold to Hugo New Steel Products, New York City, for scrap.[3]

Notes

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Citations
  1. ^ a b c C1 Cargo Ships 2009.
  2. ^ Navsource 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e DANFS 2015.

Bibliography

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Online resources

  • "Private John F. Thorson". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "C1 Cargo Ships". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  • "USNS Pvt John F. Thorson (T-AK-247)". Navsource.org. 23 October 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
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  • Photo gallery of USS Private John F. Thorson(AK-247) at NavSource Naval History
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