USS Lucidor (AF-45)

USS "Lucidor" (AF-45) was an "Adria"-class stores ship acquired by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II. Her task was to carry stores, refrigerated items, and equipment to ships in the fleet, and to remote stations and staging areas.

"Lucidor" was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Inc., Beaumont, Texas, 1 December 1944; launched 25 January 1945; sponsored by Mrs. J. Y. Powell, acquired by the Navy 16 June 1945; and commissioned 6 July 1945 at Galveston, Texas, Lt. E. L. LaVoy in command.

World War II service

After shakedown, "Lucidor" loaded cargo at Mobile, Alabama, and steamed for Pearl Harbor, arriving there 1 September. Loaded with fleet provisions, the storeship sailed for the Marshall Islands, arriving Eniwetok 26 September.

Post-war activity

From October 1945 to April 1946 "Lucidor" made supply runs to bases scattered throughout the western and central Pacific Ocean. She also operated in the Far East, transporting dry and refrigerated cargo to Japan and Tsingtao, China.

Post-war decommissioning

"Lucidor" returned San Francisco, California, 10 May 1946 and decommissioned there on the 26th. She was returned to War Shipping Administration the same day and entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet and berthed in Puget Sound at Olympia, Washington. She was struck from the Naval Register (date unknown) and sold for commercial service by the Maritime Administration in 1967 to Alaska Steamship Co., Seattle, Washington, and renamed "Polar Pioneer". She was:
* resold in 1972 to Sea Nutrients Corp., Seattle, Washington, and renamed "Mermaid".
* resold for the second time in 1972 to Operaciones y Servicios S.A. (OYSSA), Salaverry, Peru and renamed "Mochica".
* resold, 15 November 1974, to Naviera Humboldt S.A., Callao, Peru.
* resold, 23 July 1975, and laid up at Callao, Peru.
* resold, 12 January 1977, to Tranave, Panama and
* resold to Mar. Claro S.A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, renamed "Polar MC".
* resold in 1977 to Norsur S.A., Ltd., Cayman Islands, U.K. flagged and renamed "Caribea" 28 December 1977.
* laid up in April 1980 at Necochea, Buenos Aires, Argentina. That same month she broke away from her moorings during a storm on the 29th and beached one mile East from the port of Quequen. Ex-"Lucidor" was declared a total loss as a result of the beaching.

Military awards and honors

"Lucidor’s" crew was eligible for the following medals:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* World War II Victory Medal
* Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Cargo ship

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/06/0645.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AF-45 Lucidor]