- USS Capella (AK-13)
USS "Capella" (AK-13) was a cargo ship in the
United States Navy duringWorld War II . She was named for the star."Capella" was built in
1920 as "Comerant" byAmerican International Shipbuilding Corporation ,Hog Island, Pennsylvania , under a Shipping Board contract; acquired by the Navy20 November 1921 ; and commissioned8 December 1921 , Lieutenant Commander S. W. Hickey, USNRF, in command."Capella" arrived at
San Diego, California , 19 March 1922 to carry cargo along the west coast until July, when she returned to the east coast for similar duty in the next 4 months. Back in California waters in November, "Capella" sailed toJapan in October 1923 to bring food and medical supplies, donated by American citizens, as well as water for the relief of earthquake-desolatedYokohama .The cargo ship resumed west coast operations until February 1924 when she returned to
Norfolk, Virginia . "Capella" was decommissioned and placed in reserve there 1 September 1924. She was recommissioned 10 November 1938, and resumed supply runs along the east and west coast in alternate periods, on occasion penetratingAlaska n waters.As war threatened and the United States began the buildup of Western Hemisphere bases acquired from the British, "Capella" was recalled to the east coast late in September 1940. The veteran cargo ship furrowed east coast waters, supporting bases from the
Panama Canal Zone to Newfoundland with cargoes brought from Atlantic ports until 1944. In June she cleared on the first of four transatlantic convoy crossings toScotland , and North and WestAfrica , all so safely guarded as to be made without incident."Capella" returned to
Caribbean cargo duty in June 1945, and on30 November 1945 was decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia. She was transferred to theWar Shipping Administration in July1946 .References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c3/capella.htm
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