USS Spica (AK-16)

USS Spica (AK-16) was an "Sirus"-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. She was responsible for delivering necessary goods and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone.

An extended period in mothballs

"SS Shannock" -- a cargo ship built in 1919 by American International Shipbuilding Corp. at Hog Island, Pennsylvania -- was acquired by the Navy from the United States Shipping Board on 16 November 1921 and renamed "Spica" (AK-16). Over the following 18 years, she remained out of commission, first at New York, then at Charleston, South Carolina, and finally at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from January 1927 until 1 March 1940, when Spica was commissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, Comdr. E. D. Gibb in command.

World War II activation and operations

By mid-1940, "Spica" was assigned to the 13th Naval District; and, until late 1943, she sailed Alaskan waters carrying supplies to American outposts on the Alaskan coast and in the Aleutian Islands. During this period, she participated in the campaign to reoccupy Attu. On 24 November 1943, she headed south to San Francisco, California, whence she departed again on 5 December.

Heading via Funafuti, she reached Kwajalein Atoll in January 1944 and returned, via Pearl Harbor, to Seattle, Washington, on 22 March. For the next six months, "Spica" resumed her Alaska-Aleutian circuit. In mid-September, she began a series of voyages from the U.S. West Coast to Hawaii which continued until mid-March 1945. In all, she made four round-trip voyages between Seattle and Oahu. She returned to Seattle on 17 March 1945 and, on 7 April, once again took up the northern Pacific supply runs, completing her last at Seattle on 14 September.

Post-war decommissioning

In October, she was declared surplus to the needs of the Navy; and, on 18 January 1946, she decommissioned at Seattle. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 7 February 1946, and she was delivered to the Maritime Commission for lay-up pending disposal. On 13 June 1947, her hulk was sold to J. T. Robinson, Ltd., a Canadian firm.

Military awards and honors

"Spica" was awarded one battle star during World War II. Her crew members were eligible for the following medals:
* American Defense Service Medal (with Fleet clasp)
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (1)
* World War II Victory Medal

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/13/130016.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AK-16 Spica]