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{{otherships|USS Guardian}}
{{Short description|Guardian-class radar picket ship}}
{{other ships|USS Guardian}}
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
|Ship image=
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=USS Guardian (AGR-1).jpg
|Ship caption=
|Ship caption=USS ''Guardian'' (AGR-1), moored pierside, [[Boston]], July 1960.
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=US
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1944}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship name=
|Ship name= ''James G. Squires''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship namesake= [[James G. Squires]]
|Ship owner=
| Ship owner = [[War Shipping Administration]] (WSA)
|Ship operator=
| Ship operator = [[Waterman Steamship Corp.]]
| Ship ordered = as type (EC2-S-C5) hull, [[Maritime Commission|MC]] hull 3137
|Ship registry=
| Ship builder = [[J.A. Jones Construction]], [[Panama City, Florida|Panama City]], Florida{{sfn|J.A. Panama City|2010}}
|Ship route=
|Ship original cost=$857,562{{sfn|MARCOM}}
|Ship ordered=as ''SS James Squires'', <br /> Z-EC2-S-C5) hull, MCE hull 3171
|Ship awarded=
|Ship yard number=97
|Ship builder=
|Ship way number=5
|Ship original cost=
|Ship laid down=20 March 1945
|Ship yard number=
|Ship launched=8 May 1945
|Ship way number=
|Ship completed= 31 May 1945
|Ship laid down=[[20 March]] [[1945]]
|Ship sponsor= Mrs. Elisa Broome
|Ship launched=[[8 May]] [[1945]]
|Ship identification = *[[Maritime call sign|Call sign]]: ANZI
*{{ICS|Alpha}}{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Zulu}}{{ICS|India}}{{sfn|MARCOM}}
|Ship sponsor=
|Ship christened=
|Ship motto=
|Ship completed=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship fate= *Placed in the, [[James River Reserve Fleet]], [[Lee Hall, Virginia|Lee Hall]], Virginia, 5 October 1945
|Ship acquired=1954
*Acquired by [[US Navy]], 1954
|Ship commissioned=[[1 February]] [[1955]]
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship decommissioned=[[28 July]] [[1965]]
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= title
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1965}}
|Ship name= ''Guardian''
|Ship namesake= One who guards or protects
|Ship commissioned= 1 February 1955
|Ship recommissioned=
|Ship decommissioned= 28 July 1965
|Ship maiden voyage=
|Ship maiden voyage=
|Ship in service=
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship reclassified= {{sclass|Guardian|radar picket ship}}
|Ship refit= [[Charleston Naval Shipyard]], [[Charleston, South Carolina]]
|Ship refit=
|Ship struck=date unknown
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship homeport= [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], Rhode Island
|Ship identification=
|Ship identification=*[[Hull classification symbol#Support type|Hull symbol]]: YAGR-1 (1956–1958)
*Hull symbol: AGR-1 (1958–1970)
|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship fate= *Placed in [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]]
|Ship honours=
*Sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, withdrawn from fleet, 21 December 1970, scrapped, September 1971
|Ship honors=
|Ship captured=
|Ship notes=
|Ship fate=scrapped in September 1971
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
|Ship badge=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Header caption=
| Header caption = {{sfn|Davies|2004|p=23}}
|Ship class=
| Ship class ={{Liberty ship class C5}}
|Ship type=
| Ship type =
|Ship tonnage=
| Ship tonnage = {{Liberty ship tonnage C5}}
|Ship displacement=10,760 t.(fl)
| Ship displacement = {{Liberty ship displacement}}
| Ship length = {{Liberty ship length}}
|Ship tons burthen=
|Ship length={{convert|441|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{Liberty ship beam}}
|Ship beam={{convert|56|ft|11|in|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{Liberty ship draft}}
| Ship capacity = {{Liberty ship cargo capacity C5}}
|Ship height=
|Ship draught=
| Ship hold depth =
|Ship draft={{convert|24|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship power = {{Liberty ship power}}
| Ship propulsion = {{Liberty ship propulsion|11}}
|Ship depth=
| Ship complement = {{Liberty ship complement}}
|Ship hold depth=
| Ship armament = {{Liberty ship armament}}
|Ship decks=
| Ship speed = {{Liberty ship speed}}
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
| Ship notes =
}}
|Ship ice class=
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Ship power=
| Hide header =
|Ship propulsion=two 220 PSI boilers; one 3 cylinder triple-expansion [[reciprocating engine]]; one 4 blade, {{convert|18|ft|6|in|abbr=on}} propeller; Shaft [[Horsepower]] 2,500; Electric [[Generators]] 2
| Header caption = (US Navy refit){{sfn|Navsource|2015}}
|Ship sail plan=
|Ship speed={{convert|11|kn|km/h}}
| Ship class ={{sclass|Guardian|radar picket ship}}
| Ship capacity = {{Guardian class cargo capacity}}
|Ship range=
| Ship complement = {{Guardian class complement}}
|Ship endurance=
| Ship armament = {{Guardian class armament}}
|Ship test depth=
|Ship boats=
|Ship capacity=Fuel Oil, 443,646 gals; [[Diesel]], 68,267 gals; Fresh Water, 15,082 gals; [[Ballast]], 1,326,657 gals fresh water
|Ship troops=
|Ship complement=13 officers, 138 enlisted
|Ship crew=
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=two 3"/50 guns
|Ship armour=
|Ship armor=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship aircraft facilities=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''USS ''Guardian'' (YAGR-1)''' was an {{sclass|Guardian|radar picket ship}} acquired by the [[U.S. Navy]] during [[World War II]]. Her task was to act as part of the radar defenses of the [[United States]] after the close of World War II.
'''USS ''Guardian'' (AGR/YAGR-1)''' was a {{sclass|Guardian|radar picket ship}}, converted from a [[Liberty Ship]], acquired by the [[US Navy]] in 1954. Her task was to act as part of the radar defenses of the United States in the [[Cold War]], serving until 1965.


==Construction==
== Built and placed into reserve ==


''Guardian'' was launched as [[Liberty Ship]] SS ''James G. Squires'' [[8 May]] [[1945]] by J. A. Jones Construction Co., Inc., [[Panama City, Florida]]; sponsored by Mrs. Elisa Broome; and delivered [[31 May]] to Waterman Steamship Co. The ship served until [[5 October]] [[1945]], when she was placed in the [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]], [[James River, Virginia]].
''Guardian'' (YAGR-1) was laid down on 20 March 1945, under a [[United States Maritime Commission]] (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 3137, as the [[Liberty Ship]] ''James G. Squires'', by [[J.A. Jones Construction]], [[Panama City, Florida]]. She was launched 8 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Elisa Broome; and delivered 31 May, to [[Waterman Steamship Corporation]].{{sfn|DANFS}}{{sfn|Navsource|2015}}


== Reactivation ==
==Service history ==
She served until 5 October 1945, when she was placed in the [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]], [[James River]], Virginia.{{sfn|DANFS}}


Taken out of reserve in 1954, she was renamed ''Guardian'', converted at [[Charleston Navy Yard]], and commissioned YAGR-1 at [[Norfolk, Virginia]], [[1 February]] [[1955]], Lt. Comdr. Robert E. Euliss in command.
Acquired by the [[US Navy]], she was taken out of reserve in 1954, she was converted to a [[radar picket ship]] at the [[Charleston Navy Yard]], [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]], South Carolina, and commissioned ''Guardian'' (YAGR-1), at [[Norfolk, Virginia]], 1 February 1955.{{sfn|DANFS}}{{sfn|Navsource|2015}}


The first ocean radar station ship put into service by the Navy, ''Guardian'' conducted [[sea trial|shakedown]] in [[Roosevelt Roads]], [[Puerto Rico]], and surrounding waters, reporting to [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]], Rhode Island, her home port, 2 June 1955.{{sfn|DANFS}} In 1958 the Atlantic Ocean radar picket force relocated to [[Davisville, Rhode Island]].
== The honor of "being the first" ==
The first ocean radar station ship was put up into service by the Navy, ''Guardian'' conducted [[sea trial|shakedown]] in [[Roosevelt Roads]], [[Puerto Rico]], and surrounding waters, reporting to [[Newport, Rhode Island]], her home port, [[2 June]] [[1955]].


Equipped with highly sensitive [[radar]] gear to enable her to detect, track, and report any aircraft penetrating the continental United States, ''Guardian'' was attached to the Eastern Continental [[Air Defense Command]]. She and her sister ships spend 3 or 4 weeks at a time off the [[U.S. East Coast]] on [[radar picket]] duty, even in the heaviest winter weather in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]].
Equipped with highly sensitive radar gear to enable her to detect, track, and report any aircraft penetrating the continental United States, ''Guardian'' was attached to the Eastern Continental [[Air Defense Command]]. She and her [[sister ships]] spent 3 or 4 weeks at a time off the US East Coast and West Coast on radar picket duty, even in the heaviest winter weather in the North Atlantic Ocean.{{sfn|DANFS}}


In addition to radar picket duty, ''Guardian'' participated in [[anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] exercises with both American and [[Canadian]] naval units and in local operations out of Newport and [[Key West, Florida]]. Her designation was changed to AGR-[[1 September]] – [[28 September]] [[1958]], and the ship remained a vital part of our Nation's Atlantic defenses.
In addition to radar picket duty, ''Guardian'' participated in [[anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] exercises with both American and [[Canadian Navy|Canadian naval]] units and in local operations out of Newport and [[Key West, Florida|Key West]], Florida. Her designation was changed to ''AGR-1'' on 28 September 1958.{{sfn|DANFS}}


== Decommissioning ==
== Decommissioning ==


''Guardian'' was decommissioned, [[28 July]] [[1965]], and struck from the [[Navy Vessel Register]] (date unknown). She was returned to the [[Maritime Commission]] for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. Final disposition: she was scrapped in September 1971 at [[Bilbao, Spain]].
''Guardian'' was decommissioned 28 July 1965. She was returned to the [[United States Maritime Commission]] (MARCOM) for lay up in the [[National Defense Reserve Fleet]]. She was sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, and withdrawn from fleet, 21 December 1970. She was scrapped in [[Bilbao]], Spain, September 1971.{{sfn|Navsource|2015}}


== Military awards and honors ==
== Military awards and honors ==


''Guardian's'' crew was eligible for the following medals:
''Guardian''{{'}}s crew was eligible for the following medals:

* [[Navy Expeditionary Medal]] (2 awards)
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]
* [[National Defense Service Medal]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/g9/guardian.htm}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite DANFS|url = https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/g/guardian.html |title= Guardian |access-date= 26 November 2019 |ref= {{sfnRef|DANFS}} }}{{PD-notice}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/shipyards/emergencylarge/jonespanamacity.htm|title=Jones Construction, Panama City FL|date=13 October 2010|publisher=ShipbuildingHistory.com|access-date=26 November 2019|ref={{sfnRef|J.A. Panama City|2010}}}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.ww2ships.com/acrobat/us-os-001-f-r00.pdf|title=Specifications (As-Built)|last=Davies|first=James|date=May 2004|page=23|access-date=26 November 2019}}
* {{cite web|url=http://usmaritimecommission.de/query.php?datalist=1&typeofquery=Name%20of%20Ship&valueofquery=James%20G.Squires&code=B3137a|title=SS ''James G. Squires''|access-date=26 November 2019|ref={{sfnRef|MARCOM}}}}
* {{cite web
| url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/62/6201.htm
| title= USS Guardian (AGR-1)
| publisher=Navsource.org
| date=30 October 2015
| access-date=26 November 2019
| ref={{sfnRef|Navsource|2015}}
}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/62/6201.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YAGR / AGR-1 ''Guardian'']
* {{navsource|09/62/6201|USS Guardian}}

{{MARCOM ships Jones-Panama City Shipyard}}
{{Guardian class radar picket ships}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Guardian (YAGR-1)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Guardian (YAGR-1)}}
[[Category:Guardian class radar picket ships]]
[[Category:World War II auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Cold War auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Liberty ships]]
[[Category:Liberty ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Florida]]
[[Category:Ships built in Panama City, Florida]]
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:1945 ships]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of the United States]]
[[Category:Guardian-class radar picket ships]]
[[Category:Cold War auxiliary ships of the United States]]
[[Category:James River Reserve Fleet]]

Latest revision as of 18:59, 21 December 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Guardian.
USS Guardian (AGR-1), moored pierside, Boston, July 1960.
History
United States
NameJames G. Squires
NamesakeJames G. Squires
OwnerWar Shipping Administration (WSA)
OperatorWaterman Steamship Corp.
Orderedas type (EC2-S-C5) hull, MC hull 3137
BuilderJ.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida[1]
Cost$857,562[2]
Yard number97
Way number5
Laid down20 March 1945
Launched8 May 1945
Sponsored byMrs. Elisa Broome
Completed31 May 1945
Identification
Fate
United States
NameGuardian
NamesakeOne who guards or protects
Commissioned1 February 1955
Decommissioned28 July 1965
ReclassifiedGuardian-class radar picket ship
RefitCharleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina
HomeportNewport, Rhode Island
Identification
  • Hull symbol: YAGR-1 (1956–1958)
  • Hull symbol: AGR-1 (1958–1970)
Fate
General characteristics [3]
Class and type
Tonnage
Displacement
Length
  • 441 feet 6 inches (135 m) oa
  • 416 feet (127 m) pp
  • 427 feet (130 m) lwl
Beam57 feet (17 m)
Draft27 ft 9.25 in (8.4646 m)
Installed power
  • 2 × Oil fired 450 °F (232 °C) boilers, operating at 220 psi (1,500 kPa)
  • 2,500 hp (1,900 kW)
Propulsion
Speed11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity490,000 cubic feet (13,875 m3) (bale)
Complement
Armament
General characteristics (US Navy refit)[4]
Class and typeGuardian-class radar picket ship
Capacity
  • 443,646 US gallons (1,679,383 L; 369,413 imp gal) (fuel oil)
  • 68,267 US gallons (258,419 L; 56,844 imp gal) (diesel)
  • 15,082 US gallons (57,092 L; 12,558 imp gal) (fresh water)
  • 1,326,657 US gallons (5,021,943 L; 1,104,673 imp gal) (fresh water ballast)
Complement
  • 13 officers
  • 138 enlisted
Armament2 × 3 inches (76 mm)/50 caliber guns

USS Guardian (AGR/YAGR-1) was a Guardian-class radar picket ship, converted from a Liberty Ship, acquired by the US Navy in 1954. Her task was to act as part of the radar defenses of the United States in the Cold War, serving until 1965.

Construction

[edit]

Guardian (YAGR-1) was laid down on 20 March 1945, under a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 3137, as the Liberty Ship James G. Squires, by J.A. Jones Construction, Panama City, Florida. She was launched 8 May 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Elisa Broome; and delivered 31 May, to Waterman Steamship Corporation.[5][4]

Service history

[edit]

She served until 5 October 1945, when she was placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Virginia.[5]

Acquired by the US Navy, she was taken out of reserve in 1954, she was converted to a radar picket ship at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina, and commissioned Guardian (YAGR-1), at Norfolk, Virginia, 1 February 1955.[5][4]

The first ocean radar station ship put into service by the Navy, Guardian conducted shakedown in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, and surrounding waters, reporting to Newport, Rhode Island, her home port, 2 June 1955.[5] In 1958 the Atlantic Ocean radar picket force relocated to Davisville, Rhode Island.

Equipped with highly sensitive radar gear to enable her to detect, track, and report any aircraft penetrating the continental United States, Guardian was attached to the Eastern Continental Air Defense Command. She and her sister ships spent 3 or 4 weeks at a time off the US East Coast and West Coast on radar picket duty, even in the heaviest winter weather in the North Atlantic Ocean.[5]

In addition to radar picket duty, Guardian participated in ASW exercises with both American and Canadian naval units and in local operations out of Newport and Key West, Florida. Her designation was changed to AGR-1 on 28 September 1958.[5]

Decommissioning

[edit]

Guardian was decommissioned 28 July 1965. She was returned to the United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet. She was sold for scrapping, 23 November 1970, and withdrawn from fleet, 21 December 1970. She was scrapped in Bilbao, Spain, September 1971.[4]

Military awards and honors

[edit]

Guardian's crew was eligible for the following medals:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ J.A. Panama City 2010.
  2. ^ a b MARCOM.
  3. ^ Davies 2004, p. 23.
  4. ^ a b c d Navsource 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e f DANFS.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • "Guardian". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 26 November 2019.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Jones Construction, Panama City FL". ShipbuildingHistory.com. 13 October 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  • Davies, James (May 2004). "Specifications (As-Built)" (PDF). p. 23. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  • "SS James G. Squires". Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  • "USS Guardian (AGR-1)". Navsource.org. 30 October 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
[edit]
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