USS Aquila (AK-47)
Encyclopedia
USS Aquila (AK-47) was an Aquila-class cargo ship
commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II
. She was responsible for delivering general cargo and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone.
MV Tunis was built in 1936 at Copenhagen, Denmark, by the Helsinger Shipbuilding Co.; acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission on 11 August 1941; renamed Aquila (AK-47) on 3 September 1941; converted for naval service by the Sullivan Drydock & Repair Co.; and commissioned on 24 October 1941, Lt. Comdr. Samuel S. Fried in command.
runs from New York
and Boston, Massachusetts, to Reykjavík
, Iceland
. Between 1 December 1941 and 10 October 1942, the cargo ship made five round-trip voyages. On 7 November 1942, she arrived at Norfolk, Virginia
, to begin operations with the Naval Transportation Service.
The ship's new assignment involved shuttling supplies and personnel between ports in the Eastern
, Panama
, Gulf, and Caribbean Sea Frontiers.
, on 9 October 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list
on 24 October 1945, and the ship was returned to the Maritime Commission for disposal. She was then placed under charter by Alcoa Steam Ship Co., at Portsmouth, Virginia
, 9 October 1945, renamed MV Bonanza. In accordance with Public Law 101, she was returned to her owners DFDS, Denmark
, 25 June 1946, and renamed MV Tunis. She was sold in 1966, renamed MV Maria T, then again sold in 1972, and renamed MV Mathios. Her final disposition: scrapped in Greece
in 1978.
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was responsible for delivering general cargo and equipment to ships and stations in the war zone.
MV Tunis was built in 1936 at Copenhagen, Denmark, by the Helsinger Shipbuilding Co.; acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission on 11 August 1941; renamed Aquila (AK-47) on 3 September 1941; converted for naval service by the Sullivan Drydock & Repair Co.; and commissioned on 24 October 1941, Lt. Comdr. Samuel S. Fried in command.
World War II North Atlantic operations
Aquila almost immediately began a series of convoyConvoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
runs from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and Boston, Massachusetts, to Reykjavík
Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the capital and largest city in Iceland.Its latitude at 64°08' N makes it the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. It is located in southwestern Iceland, on the southern shore of Faxaflói Bay...
, Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
. Between 1 December 1941 and 10 October 1942, the cargo ship made five round-trip voyages. On 7 November 1942, she arrived at Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, to begin operations with the Naval Transportation Service.
The ship's new assignment involved shuttling supplies and personnel between ports in the Eastern
Eastern Sea Frontier
The Eastern Sea Frontier was a United States Navy operational command during World War II, that was responsible for the coastal waters from Canada to Jacksonville, Florida, extending out for a nominal distance of two hundred miles....
, Panama
Panama Sea Frontier
The Panama Sea Frontier was responsible, during World War II, for the defense of the Pacific and Atlantic sea approaches to the Panama Canal and for naval shore facilities in the Central America region...
, Gulf, and Caribbean Sea Frontiers.
Post-war decommissioning
Aquila followed this routine until she was placed out of commission at Norfolk, VirginiaNorfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, on 9 October 1945. Her name was struck from the Navy list
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
on 24 October 1945, and the ship was returned to the Maritime Commission for disposal. She was then placed under charter by Alcoa Steam Ship Co., at Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth is located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the U.S. Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the city had a total population of 95,535.The Norfolk Naval Shipyard, often called the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a historic and active U.S...
, 9 October 1945, renamed MV Bonanza. In accordance with Public Law 101, she was returned to her owners DFDS, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
, 25 June 1946, and renamed MV Tunis. She was sold in 1966, renamed MV Maria T, then again sold in 1972, and renamed MV Mathios. Her final disposition: scrapped in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
in 1978.
Military awards and honors
Aquila’s crew members were eligible for the following medals:- American Campaign Medal
- Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Philippines Liberation Medal