- USS Otus (ARG-20)
The USS "Otus" (ARG-20) was an
internal combustion engine repair ship that saw service in theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II . The lone ship in her class, she was named forOtus , a mythological son ofIphimedia (wife of Aloeus) andPoseidon .The ship was laid down under Maritime Commission Contract
3 June 1940 by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company ofKearny, New Jersey and launched as SS "Fred Morris"2 November 1940 , sponsored by Mrs. Fred Allain Morris. The launch can be seen in stock footage used in the opening scenes of the 1964 film "The Incredible Mr. Limpet." The SS Fred Morris was acquired by the Navy1 March 1941 and commissioned as the USS "Otus" (AS–20)19 March 1941 wirh Commander Joel Newsom in command. Assigned to the Asiatic Fleet as asubmarine tender , she was anchored inMariveles Harbor ,Philippine Islands , on7 December 1941 . On10 December 1941 she was slightly damaged during the Japanese air raid on theCavite Navy Yard , when several bombs landed near her starboard side. Not wanting to risk one of the few tenders in his command, Admiral Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet ordered "Otus" to leave the Philippines. Departing10 December she arrived atPort Darwin ,Australia on28 December . Remaining at Port Darwin through January, 1942 "Otus" steamed toJava andTrincomalee Harbor ,Ceylon , during February and the first part of March. She returned toAustralia 10 March , where she tendedsubmarine s atFremantle until departing for theUnited States 25 July . ArrivingMare Island Naval Shipyard 24 August , "Otus" underwent an extensive overhaul until23 January 1943 . After a brief stop atPearl Harbor she returned to Australia22 February where she remained, steaming from port to port as the demand for her services dictated, until1 September . From September, 1943 until December, 1944 "Otus" served at four different sites inNew Guinea furnishing tender services for escort vessels, minecraft, and amphibious craft as well as submarines. DepartingHollandia Bay 25 December , "Otus" arrived at San Pedro Bay,Leyte Gulf , Philippines on6 January 1945 and commenced providing routine upkeep and emergency repairs to the ships of the Southwest Pacific Area. On25 June 1945 her classification was changed to ARG–20 (Repair Ship, Internal Combustion Engines). On1 December 1945 "Otus" left San Pedro Bay en route toPortland, Oregon . Arriving2 January 1946 , she was assigned the duty of deactivating vessels. She carried out this work at both Portland and Astoria until29 June 1946 , when she steamed to Seattle to commence inactivation overhaul. "Otus" decommissioned20 August 1946 and was sold the following day. She was struck from theNaval Vessel Register 25 September 1946 . In 1970 she was atOlympia, Washington with the National Defense Reserve Fleet. The ship's final fate is unknown. "Otus" received onebattle star for service inWorld War II .References
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*External links
* [http://www.angelfire.com/ny3/USSOtus/ USS "Otus" (ARG-20)]
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