USS Barnstable (APA-93)

USS "Barnstable" (APA-93) was a sclass|Bayfield|attack transport that served with the US Navy during World War II.

The vessel was launched 5 August 1943 by Western Pipe & Steel, Los Angeles, California, under a Maritime Commission contract as "Sea Snapper"; acquired on a loan charter by the Navy 30 October, and commissioned the same day. Placed out of commission 3 November, "Barnstable" was outfitted as an APA by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, and recommissioned 22 May 1944, Captain T. M. Stokes in command.

Operational history

Palau Islands

"Barnstable" arrived at Pearl Harbor 30 July 1944 and joined Transport Division 32. Embarking troops and cargo she sailed to Guadalcanal for landing exercises 24 August-8 September, in preparation for the assault on the Palau Islands. Arriving at Peleliu, Palau Islands, 15 September, "Barnstable" remained there until 21 September, and then took part in the occupation of Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands (23-25 September 1944).

Leyte

Returning to Manus, Admiralty Islands, "Barnstable" loaded troops and cargo and arrived in Leyte Gulf 20 October 1944. She debarked troops for the assault waves and continued unloading cargo throughout the day. On the 21st she departed, arriving at the Palau Islands 23 October.

"Barnstable" transported troops and cargo between New Caledonia and the Admiralty Islands and then returned to Leyte, where she landed reinforcements (19-29 November 1944).

Luzon and Okinawa

Returning to New Guinea, she remained there until embarking troops and cargo for the landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon. She arrived 9 January and the following day landed her troops and cargo. She made several trips to the Philippines with reinforcements and then participated in the initial Okinawa landings (1-5 April).

"Barnstable" returned to the west coast in April 1945. After undergoing repairs, replacements were embarked and she returned to Manila. From Manila she made logistic runs to New Guinea. Upon the cessation of hostilities "Barnstable" participated in the occupation of Japan (12-26 October 1945), making two runs from the Philippine Islands to Japan transporting Army troops.

Decommissioning

She returned to California 17 November 1945 and operated along the west coast until January 1946. In February she arrived on the east coast and commenced pre-inactivation overhaul. She was decommissioned 25 March 1946 and returned to the Maritime Commission the following day.

"Barnstable" received four battle stars for her World War II service.

Commercial service

In 1948 the Maritime Commission sold "Barnstable" to the Isthmian Steamship Company of New York, who renamed her "Steel Fabricator". She was to remain in service with Isthmian Steamship until 1969.

In 1971 the vessel was sold to Reliance Carriers SA of Panama who renamed her "Reliance Dynasty". She was sold again the following year to Valor Navigation Corporation of Panama who dubbed her "Grand Valor". The vessel was scrapped in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in 1974.

References

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* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/amphib/apa93.htm USS "Barnstable"] , DANFS Online
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/03093.htm USS "Barnstable"] , Navsource Online
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