USS Telamon (ARB-8)

The USS "Telamon" (ARB-8) was one of 12 "Aristaeus"-class battle damage repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Telamon (in Greek mythology, son of the King Aeacus, who accompanied Jason as one his Argonauts), it was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

History

Originally designated "LST-956", the ship was redesignated ARB-8 and named "Telamon" on 28 April 1944, before its construction began. It was laid down on 5 December 1944 at Hingham, Massachusetts by the Bethelehem-Hingham Shipyard, Inc.; launched on 10 January 1945; and commissioned on 5 February 1945. After steaming to Baltimore, it was decommissioned, underwent conversion at Maryland Drydock Company, and was recommissioned on 1 June 1945. On 14 July the new battle damage repair ship reported for duty with the Pacific Fleet and on the 23rd was assigned Pearl Harbor as its home port and yard. It joined Service Squadron 10 at Guam in September shortly before being placed in the Pacific Fleet Reserve on 11 September 1945. In the spring of 1946, as part of Service Group 1.8, it took part in preparations for Operation Crossroads at Bikini Atoll. On 21 June 1946, before the nuclear tests took place, it departed the atoll and steamed to Kwajalein. It was decommissioned on 20 May 1947 and joined the San Diego Group Reserve Fleet that same day. It remained inactive until 1 June 1973 when its name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

"Telamon" was sold for scrapping 1 March 1974 by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service.

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