USS Beagle (IX-112), was an Armadillo class tanker designated an unclassified miscellaneous vessel. She was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the beagle, a breed of small, short-coated hunting hound.

History
United States
Name
  • David Rittenhouse
  • Beagle
Namesake
Orderedas a Type T1-S-C3 hull, MCE hull 1901[1]
BuilderCalifornia Shipbuilding Corporation, Terminal Island, Los Angeles, California
Laid down27 September 1943
Launched29 October 1943
Commissioned20 November 1943
Decommissioned13 June 1946
RenamedBeagle, 27 October 1943
Stricken3 July 1946
Identification
Honors and
awards
1 × battle star
Fate
United States
NameEdison Skipper
OwnerEdison Tanker Corporation, Inc., New York City
Acquired14 July 1948
FateSold, December 1954
Liberia
Name
  • George S.
  • George Sideratos
  • Maria G.L.
AcquiredDecember 1954
FateScrapped, 1964
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeArmadillo class tanker
TypeType T1-S-C3
Displacement14,500 long tons (14,700 t)
Length441 ft 6 in (134.57 m)
Beam56 ft 11 in (17.35 m)
Draught28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement79 officers and men
Armament

Construction

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Her keel was laid down 27 September 1943, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull No. 1901, as the Type T1 tanker David Rittenhouse, by California Shipbuilding Corporation, Terminal Island, Los Angeles, California; launched on 29 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Victor Dalton; renamed Beagle and designated IX-111 on 27 October 1943; delivered to the Navy 20 November 1943, and commissioned the same day.[3]

Service history

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Following shakedown early in 1944, the tanker moved to the western Pacific. There she transported fuel among the various island groups. Between 13 October and 9 November, Beagle operated in the vicinity of Leyte providing support for the invasion of that island. After that operation, Beagle resumed her more routine fuel supply missions between bases in the Pacific.[3]

Post-war service

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After the war ended, she continued those duties in support of American occupation forces in the Far East. The ship headed back to the United States from Eniwetok on 11 March 1946. She transited the Panama Canal on 16 April, and arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on 30 April. Beagle was decommissioned at Norfolk on 13 June 1946, and was turned over to MARCOM for disposal. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 3 JuIy 1946.[3]

Merchant service

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On 14 July 1948, to the Edison Tanker Corporation, Inc., of New York City, the vessel was renamed Edison Skipper. She saw later merchant service under the names George S., Georgios Sideratos, and Maria G.L., before she was scrapped in 1964.[2]

Awards

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Beagle earned one battle star for her World War II service.[3]

Notes

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Citations

Bibliography

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Online resources

  • "Beagle II (IX-112)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 4 March 2017.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "California Shipbuilding, Los Angeles CA". ShipbuildingHistory.com. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  • "USS Beagle (IX-112)". Navsource.org. 21 December 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  • "DAVID RITTENHOUSE". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
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