USS Diomedes

(Redirected from USS LST-1119)

USS Diomedes (ARB-11) was an Aristaeus-class repair ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Diomedes (in Greek mythology, a prince of Argos, one of the bravest heroes of the Trojan War), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

USS Diomedes
USS Diomedes (ARB-11) at anchor in Hong Kong Harbor, 1 December 1945
History
United States
NameUSS LST-1119
BuilderBethlehem Steel Company, Hingham, Massachusetts
Laid down19 October 1944
Launched11 January 1945
Sponsored byMrs. M. D. Hembree
Commissioned23 January 1945
Decommissioned21 February 1945
RenamedUSS Diomedes (ARB-11)
NamesakeDiomedes
Recommissioned23 June 1945
Decommissioned3 December 1946
FateTransferred to West Germany, 7 June 1961
History
West Germany
NameWotan (A513)
NamesakeWotan
Acquired7 June 1961
Commissioned20 January 1966
Decommissioned23 August 1991
Fateused for training and public events of the Bundeswehr
General characteristics
Class and typeAristaeus-class repair ship
Displacement
  • 1,781 long tons (1,810 t) light
  • 3,700 long tons (3,759 t) full
Length328 ft (100 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft11 ft 2 in (3.40 m)
Propulsion2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders
Speed12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement260 officers and enlisted men
Armament

LST-1119 was launched on 11 January 1945 by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company of Seneca, Illinois; sponsored by Mrs. M. D. Hembree; placed in partial commission from 23 January to 21 February 1945 for the passage to Baltimore, Maryland; converted to a battle damage repair ship as USS Diomedes (ARB-11); and commissioned on 23 June 1945.

Service history

edit

Diomedes arrived at Okinawa on 25 September, and on 3 October got underway for Hong Kong to provide repair services. She sailed from Hong Kong on 8 December and called at Kiirun, Formosa before arriving at Taku, China on 19 December to continue her repair work. Departing Taku on 20 March 1946 Diomedes called at Pearl Harbor, and arrived at Charleston, South Carolina on 28 May. She arrived in Jacksonville, Florida on 2 June, and was placed out of commission in reserve there on 3 December 1946.

Diomedes was transferred on 7 June 1961 to West Germany, whereupon she was renamed Wotan (A513). Her final fate is unknown.

References

edit
  •   This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
  • "LST-1119 / ARB-11 Diomedes". Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved April 12, 2007.