RvM
Laid down as part of the Kenneth Whiting-class at the yard of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation at Tacoma, Washington on 4 August 1943, launched on 14 February 1944 while being baptised by Mrs. Alfred E. Montgomery, commissioned on 24 July 1944, decommissioned on 25 March 1946 and on 1 August part of the reserve fleet, stricken from the list on 1 July 1963 and handed over to the Maritime Administration’s reserve fleet at Suisun Bay in California, however on 11 December 1968 purchased by the U.S. Navy again to be sold to Italy where she was renamed Andrea Bafile (A5314 and L9871) and on 11 December 1968 commissioned in the Italian navy as a troop transport. In 1971 was the aft ship completely rebuilt to able to carry with her at least two Seabat helicopters. Decommissioned in January 1981, while disarmed on 31 July 1985 barracks at the Arsenal at Taranto and stricken on 31 May 1988.
With a displacement of 8,510 long tons/8,647 tons (light)-12,610 long tons/12,812 tons (full load) were her dimensions 492 x 69’5”x 22 or 150 x 21,16 x 6,7 metres. Her steam turbine and two boilers supplied 8,500 hp allowing a speed of 18,7 knots. Her crew numbered 1,077 men. The armament consisted of 2x1-5”guns, 2xx-40mm anti aircraft guns, 2x2-40mm anti aircraft guns and 16x1-40mm anti aircraft guns.
