So this is the first time I've realized just how linked in I am to technology. I wouldn't consider myself a tech fanatic, but I'm pretty good with what I know and I can usually figure out what I don't know yet. But there I was, 2 days in paradise, without internet connection, and worst yet, without HBO for the premier of "The Pacific"! I did fine, I survived, but I did miss just knowing that there was a connection out there. Realizing that unless I had every single guidebook known to man at my disposal, it would be nice to be able to look up whatever I wanted on the internet to get the quickest answer possible. But, like I said, here we are, back off "island time" and re-connected, so here I am. While the sunsets were beautiful and the waters were a beautiful turquoise, so I'm not complaining, or at least not REALLY complaining, I am just really thankful that my interest in technology and The Pacific starting has allowed me to find this. So thank you Wikipedia. And I'm going to do my best to add to it, if possible. So without further ado, here's the ship that my Grandpa Koch served on, the USS Endymion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Endymion_(ARL-9)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Endymion_(ARL-9)
USS Endymion (ARL-9)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Name: | USS Endymion |
| Launched: | 17 December 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 9 May 1944 |
| Decommissioned: | 30 November 1946 |
| Struck: | 1 June 1972 |
| Fate: | Sold for commercial service, 1 September 1973 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Achelous class repair ship |
| Displacement: | 1,781 long tons (1,810 t) light 3,960 long tons (4,024 t) full |
| Length: | 328 ft (100 m) |
| Beam: | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft: | 11 ft 2 in (3.40 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts, twin rudders |
| Speed: | 12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h) |
| Complement: | 255 officers and enlisted men |
| Armament: | • 2 × quad 40 mm guns • 2 × twin 40 mm guns • 6 × twin 20 mm guns |
USS Endymion (ARL-9) was one of 39 Achelous-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navyduring World War II. Named for Endymion (in Greek mythology, a handsome Aeolian shepherd or hunter), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
Originally laid down as LST-513; reclassified ARL-9 on 3 November 1943; launched on 17 December; sponsored by Mrs. Mary C. Hanley; and commissioned on 9 May 1944 with Lieutenant A. Edgell in command.
[edit]Service history
After a brief shakedown cruise in the Chesapeake Bay she sailed for Guantanamo Bay, joined a convoy headed toward the Panama Canal, and proceeded independently to San Diego. Continuing to Pearl Harbor she deployed with TG 32.6 to Guadalcanal where she arrived on 26 August 1944. She effected repairs here and at the Russell Islands before joining a task group preparing for the invasion of the Palau Islands where she carried on her vital work. From 3 October to 25 February 1945 she was active at Kossol Passage. On the latter date she sailed in convoy to Leyte where she remained for a month in the performance of diving operations and repairing of landing craft. She next proceeded with Task Unit 51.14.3 for the invasion of Okinawa and rendered invaluable service to battle- and weather-damaged destroyers, landing craft and patrol vessels. On 28 April 1945 she suffered damage from a shrapnel burst which wounded 15 of her crew.
On 10 May 1945 she changed her anchorage to Buckner Bay where she underwent frequent suicide planeattacks, but continued uninterrupted her repair service. She got underway with Task Unit 31.29.29 for Saipan on 7 June 1945 and thence for Pearl Harbor. On 21 June she was torpedoed, suffering 11 wounded and damage to her steering gear. A submarine chaser was dispatched to bring her in to Eniwetok Harbor where temporary repairs were made. She continued to Pearl Harbor where she readied herself for return to the United States. Endymionbegan a period of overhaul at Astoria, Oregon on 9 November 1945. She was decommissioned on 30 November 1946 and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
Struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 June 1972, she was sold for commercial service 1 September 1973. Registered to Petrola Hellas S.A. of Panama in 1974 and renamed Petrola XVIII, she was restyled as Petrola 18in September, 1976. Sold in 1978 to the Thetis Shipping & Trading Corporation S.A. of Panama, then resold (date unknown) to Sete Technical Services S.A. of Panama and renamed Sete 50, her final fate is unknown.
[edit]References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- "Endymion". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
- "LST-513 / ARL-9 Endymion". Amphibious Photo Archive. Retrieved April 25, 2007.
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