USNS Private John R. Towle

USNS Private John R. Towle (T-AK-240) was a Greenville Victory-class cargo ship that served as a commercial cargo ship during the final year of World War II. Post-war she was acquired by the U.S. Army as USAT Private John R. Towle until the 1950s when she was assigned to the U.S. Navy's Military Sea Transportation Service for various duties, including runs to Antarctica's McMurdo Sound.

USNS Private John R. Towle (T-AK-240) underway in pack ice near Antarctica.
History
United States
Name	Appleton Victory Private John R. Towle
Namesake	Five cities in as many States in the United States share the name Appleton John R. Towle awarded the Medal of Honor
Ordered	as type (VC2-S-AP2) hull, MCV hull 162
Builder	Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon
Laid down	9 December 1944, as SS Appleton Victory
Launched	19 January 1945
Sponsored by	Mrs. John Goodland, Jr.
Completed	23 March 1945
Commissioned	30 August 1946, as USAT Private John R. Towle
Decommissioned	date unknown
In service	1 March 1950, as USNS Private John R. Towle (T-AK-240)
Out of service	date unknown
Stricken	31 July 1982
Identification	Hull symbol:T-AK-240
Fate	Sold for scrapping 4 June 1982
General characteristics
Class and type	Greenville Victory-class cargo ship
Displacement	4,960 metric tons (4,880 long tons) (standard) 15,589 metric tons (15,343 long tons) (full load)
Length	455 ft (139 m)
Beam	62 ft (19 m)
Draft	29 ft 2 in (8.89 m)
Installed power	8,500 shp (6,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × steam turbine 1 × shaft
Speed	15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph)
Complement	99
Armament	None

Victory built in Oregon

Private John R. Towle (AK-240) was laid down, under U.S. Maritime Commission contract, as Appleton Victory (MCV hull 162) by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon, 9 December 1944; launched 19 January 1945; sponsored by Mrs. John Goodland, Jr.

World War II service

She was delivered to the Maritime Commission, thence to the American Mail Line for operation, 23 March 1945. She operated along the Pacific coast for a year, was returned to the Maritime Commission.

U.S. Army service

Appleton Victory was transferred to the Army Transportation Service (ATS) at New York City, in June 1946. Later returned to the U.S. West Coast, she was renamed Private John R. Towle, 31 October 1947, and, under that name, continued to serve ATS until returned to the Maritime Commission; transferred to the Navy, and designated T-AK-240 in March 1950.

U.S. Navy service

Between 1950 and 1955, the Victory ship, assigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service and manned by a civil service crew, continued cargo operations in the Pacific Ocean.

Antarctic and Arctic Operations

Then reassigned to the Military Sea Transportation Service in the Atlantic, she began preparations for her first Antarctic resupply mission. During the southern summers of 1956–57, 1957–58, 1959–60, and 1960–61 she steamed south to deliver cargo to McMurdo Sound. On 20 January 1957, when delivering supplies, the then master of the vessel Capt John C Nissen-Wiis helped commemorate the opening of New Zealand's Scott's Base together with Sir Edmund Hillary and other dignitaries at Pram Point, Antarctica.

The ship made annual visits to Greenland to resupply the US Air Force base in Thule and Sonderstrom.

Needed elsewhere, the ice-strengthened AK did not return to Antarctic waters until the 1963–64 season. Since then, however, and into 1970, she returned annually to support the military and civilian personnel working there. She was active in Antarctic re-supply as late as March 1980.

Post-war decommissioning and career

During July 1974 Towle sustained ice damage to her hull off of Hamilton Inlet Labrador, Canada, and was assisted by the icebreaker USCGC Edisto (WAGB-284). On 25 August 1980 Private John R. Towle was returned to the U.S. Maritime Administration and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, Virginia. She was struck from the Navy List on 31 July 1982 and was sold for scrapping on 4 June 1982.

Honors and awards

Eligible vessel personnel were authorized the following:

• National Defense Service Medal
• Antarctica Service Medal
• Battle Stars in World War II for war action with deck guns during the assault occupation of Okinawa from 19 May 1945-19 June 1945

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - T-AK-240 Private John R. Towle