USS Patroclus (ARL-19)

The USS "Patroclus" (ARL-19) was one of 39 "Achelous"-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Patroclus (a Homeric character; a friend of Achilles, slain by Hector while fighting in Achilles’ armor), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as "LST–955" at the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard of Hingham, Massachusetts 22 September 1944; launched 22 October 1944; and placed in reduced commission 13 November 1944 to proceed to Baltimore, Maryland; decommissioned on the 27th; converted to an "ARL" at the Bethlehem Key Highway Plant; and commissioned in full 17 April 1945 with Lieutenant Evan G. Bower in command. Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, "Patroclus" departed the east coast 22 May 1945, transited the Panama Canal, and steamed to San Francisco for final outfitting. Steaming westward 2 July, the landing craft repair ship arrived at Saipan 7 August and reported for duty with Serv Div 103. On the 26th, she continued on to Tokyo Bay to provide repair facilities for occupation force vessels. Assigned to Tokyo Bay, she witnessed the formal surrender of Japan on 2 September, then commenced repair work on all LSMs, LCIs, LCSs, and LSTs in the area. On 7 April 1946 "Patroclus" was relieved by USS "Romulus" (ARL–22) and on the 8th she departed for the east coast of the United States and inactivation. Decommissioned 2 October 1946, "Patroclus" was berthed at Green Cove Springs, Florida as a unit of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until November 1951. Then, transferred to the custody of the 6th Naval District, she underwent conversion prior to transfer under the Military Assistance Program. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register 22 August 1952, she was transferred to Turkey on 15 November 1952, where she served that nation as TCG "Basaran" (A 582). Her final fate is unknown.

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