USS Draco (AK-79)

USS Draco (AK-79), Puget Sound, August 1945
History
United States
Name:	John M. Palmer Draco
Namesake:	John M. Palmer (politician) Draco (constellation)
Ordered:	as a type (EC2-S-C1) hull, MCE hull 453, SS John M. Palmer
Builder:	Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California
Laid down:	1942
Launched:	19 January 1943
Sponsored by:	Miss G. M. San Facon
Acquired:	31 January 1943
Commissioned:	16 February 1943
Decommissioned:	28 November 1945
Struck:	19 December 1945
Identification:	Hull symbol:AK-79
Fate:	sold, 9 August 1947, to Southern Steamship Proprietary Ltd., reflagged South African, renamed SS President Kruger resold in 1951, renamed SS Riviera resold in 1953, renamed SS Effie renamed SS President Pretorius in 1958
Status:	scrapped in April 1968, at Kaohsiung, Taiwan
General characteristics [1]
Class and type:	Crater-class cargo ship
Displacement:	4,023 long tons (4,088 t) (standard) 14,550 long tons (14,780 t) (full load)
Length:	441 ft 6 in (134.57 m)
Beam:	56 ft 11 in (17.35 m)
Draft:	28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
Installed power:	2,500 shp (1,900 kW)
Propulsion:	1 × Joshua Hendy vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine 1 × shaft
Speed:	12.5 kn (14.4 mph; 23.2 km/h)
Complement:	206
Armament:	1 × 5 in (130 mm)/38 caliber dual purpose gun 1 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 caliber dual purpose gun 2 × 40 mm (1.6 in) 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun mounts 6 × 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons anti-aircraft gun mounts

USS Draco (AK-79) was an Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the U.S. Navy for service in World War II, named after the constellation Draco. She was responsible for delivering goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.

Draco (AK-79) was launched 19 January 1943 as SS John M. Palmer by Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Miss G. M. San Facon; transferred to the Navy 31 January 1943; and commissioned 16 February 1943, Lieutenant Commander E. L. Evey, USNR, in command.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

Draco towed YFD-21 from Seattle, Washington, by way of Pearl Harbor to Espiritu Santo, arriving 5 May 1943. She carried cargo from Auckland, New Zealand, to bases on Nouméa, Espiritu Santo, Guadalcanal, and the Fiji Islands, and acted in support of the consolidation of the Solomons, the invasions of Cape Torokina, Bougainville, and Emirau. From 27 July to 10 August 1944 she unloaded cargo at Guam in the capture and occupation of that island, then returned to cargo runs between New Zealand and the Solomons until arriving at Ulithi 26 May 1945.

Draco sailed from Ulithi 20 June 1945 for Okinawa, where she discharged Army supplies from 26 June to 12 July. Sailing by way of Guadalcanal to load salvaged equipment and vehicles, Draco arrived at Tacoma, Washington, 27 August 1945.

Post-war decommissioning

Draco was decommissioned 28 November 1945 and returned to the Maritime Commission for disposal the same day.

Military awards and honors

Draco received two battle stars for World War II service.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of Draco at NavSource Naval History