USS Roxane (AKA-37)

USS "Roxane" (AKA-37) was an "Artemis" class attack cargo ship named after the minor planet "317 Roxane," which in turn was named after Roxana, the wife of Alexander the Great. USS "Roxane" served as a commissioned ship for 14 months.

"Roxane" (AKA-37) was laid down 1 December 1944 by Walsh-Kaiser Co., Inc., Providence, R.I.; launched 14 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Edwin H. Armstrong; acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission (MC Hull 1898) and commissioned at Boston 12 March 1945, Comdr. James Stone, USNR, in command.

Following shakedown off Boston, "Roxane" loaded at Norfolk and transited the Panama Canal 24 April 1945. Arriving Pearl Harbor 11 May, she proceeded on to Eniwetok and Saipan before putting in to San Francisco 12 July. Departing San Francisco 25 July, she proceeded by way of Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Ulithi, to Manila where she arrived 3 September. She operated on cargo runs between various Philippine ports until arriving Japan 23 October 1945.

On 1 November 1945, "Roxane" reported to ComServPac for "Magic-Carpet" duty at Mitsugahama, and proceeded via Okinawa and arrived San Francisco with returning veterans 22 November. Departing again 11 December, she picked up additional troops at Yokosuka and Sasebo and reached Seattle 7 February.

"Roxane" reported for disposal to Commander 13th Naval District 18 March 1946, decommissioned 5 June 1946, was transferred to the Maritime Commission 29 June 1946, and was struck from the Navy list 3 July 1946.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r9/roxane.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Roxane"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02037.htm NavSource Online: AKA-37 "Roxane"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]