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|Ship way number=
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|Ship laid down=
|Ship laid down=
|Ship launched= 12 August 1921<ref name=ShipScribe>{{cite web |url= http://www.shipscribe.com/usnaux/AF/AF25.html |title=Class: Taurus (AF-25) |work=U.S. Navy Auxiliary Vessels 1884-1945 |last=Roberts |first=Stephen S |date=15 September 2001 |accessdate=23 May 2013}}</ref>
|Ship launched= 1921
|Ship sponsor=
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|Ship christened=
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|Ship completed= 1921<ref name=LR/>
|Ship completed= 1921<ref name=LR/>
|Ship acquired=2 October 1942
|Ship acquired= 2 October 1942<ref name=ShipScribe/>
|Ship commissioned=28 October 1942
|Ship commissioned= 28 October 1942<ref name=ShipScribe/>
|Ship decommissioned=11 December 1945
|Ship decommissioned= 11 December 1945<ref name=ShipScribe/>
|Ship maiden voyage=
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|Ship struck=3 January 1946
|Ship struck= 3 January 1946<ref name=ShipScribe/>
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|Ship fate=
|Ship fate= scrapped 1953<ref name=ShipScribe/>
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|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|3724|first=short}}<ref name=LR/><br>tonnage under deck 3,122<ref name=LR/><br>[[Net register tonnage|NRT]] 2,086<ref name=LR/>
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|3724|first=short}}<ref name=LR/><br>tonnage under deck 3,122<ref name=LR/><br>[[Net register tonnage|NRT]] 2,086<ref name=LR/>
|Ship displacement= {{convert|6600|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full load
|Ship displacement= {{convert|6600|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full load<ref name=ShipScribe/>
|Ship tons burthen=
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|Ship length= {{convert|325.3|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=LR/>
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|Ship depth= {{convert|29.2|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=LR/>
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|Ship hold depth=
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|Ship power= 2,500 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|shp]]
|Ship power= 2,500 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|shp]]<ref name=ShipScribe/>
|Ship propulsion= [[British Thomson-Houston|BT-H]] [[turbo-electric transmission]],<ref name=LR/> single screw
|Ship propulsion= [[British Thomson-Houston|BT-H]] [[turbo-electric transmission]],<ref name=LR/> single screw
|Ship speed= {{convert|11.5|kn|km/h|lk=in}} max.
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|Ship complement= 107
|Ship complement= 106 (1944)<ref name=ShipScribe/>
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|Ship armament=1 × single [[4"/50 caliber gun]]s<br>1 × single [[3"/50 caliber gun]]s<br>6 × single 20 mm AA gun mounts
|Ship armament=1 × single [[4"/50 caliber gun]]s<br>1 × single [[3"/50 caliber gun]]s<br>6 × single 20 mm AA gun mounts<ref name=ShipScribe/>
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'''USS ''Taurus'' (AF-25)''', formerly '''SS ''San Benito''''', was a [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ship]] of the [[United Fruit Company]] that the [[United States Navy]] used as a [[stores ship]] in the Second World War. In peacetime she [[Banana boat (ship)|carried bananas]] from Central America to the USA. In the Navy she carried provisions to ships and stations in the [[Pacific War]].
'''USS ''Taurus'' (AF-25)''', formerly '''SS ''San Benito''''', was a [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ship]] of the [[United Fruit Company]] that may have been the first merchant ship to be built with [[turbo-electric transmission]].<ref name=ShipScribe/> From October 1942 to December 1945 she was a [[United States Navy]] [[stores ship]] in the [[Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II]].<ref name=ShipScribe/> She was scrapped in 1953.<ref name=ShipScribe/>


==United Fruit Company==
==United Fruit Company==
===Building===
===Building===
Workman, Clark and Company of [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] completed the ship in 1921 as SS ''San Benito''. She was an early example of a merchant ship with [[turbo-electric transmission]]. Her boilers supplied steam to a [[turbo generator]] that fed current to a propulsion motor on her [[Propeller (marine)|propeller]] shaft. [[British Thomson-Houston]] built her turbo generator and propulsion motor.<ref name=LR/> The turbo-generator also powered her electric refrigeration equipment.
Workman, Clark and Company of [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]] built ''San Benito'' in 1921, launching her on 12 August.<ref name=ShipScribe/> [[British Thomson-Houston]] built her [[turbo generator]] and electric propulsion motor.<ref name=LR/> The turbo generator also powered her electric refrigeration equipment.


===Owners and managers===
===Owners and managers===
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===Subsequent turbo-electric ships===
===Subsequent turbo-electric ships===
After ''San Benito'', Balboa Shipping had further turbo-electric refrigerated ships. After 1930 the [[diesel-electric transmission|diesel electric]] motor vessel {{SS|Darien|1924|2}} was re-engined as a turbo-electric.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=34b0236.pdf |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships |location=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> In 1931–33 [[Newport News Shipbuilding]] and [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]] supplied six passenger and refrigerated cargo liners that in the Second World War were requisitioned as the {{sclass|Mizar|stores ship}}s.
After ''San Benito'', Balboa Shipping ordered further turbo-electric refrigerated ships. In 1930 Workman, Clark built {{SS|Musa}} for Balboa and [[Camell Laird]] of [[Birkenhead]], England built ''Musa''{{'}}S [[sister ship]] {{SS|Platano}}. After 1930 Balboa's [[diesel-electric transmission|diesel electric]] motor vessel {{SS|Darien|1924|2}} was re-engined as a turbo-electric.<ref>{{cite book |url= http://www.plimsollshipdata.org/pdffile.php?name=34b0236.pdf |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships |location=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |accessdate=5 May 2013}}</ref> In 1931–33 [[Newport News Shipbuilding]] and [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]] supplied six passenger and refrigerated cargo liners that in the Second World War were requisitioned as the {{sclass|Mizar|stores ship}}s.


==US Navy service==
==US Navy service==
On 20 August 1942 ''San Benito'' was was renamed ''Taurus'' and designated AF-25, and on 2 October 1942 the [[War Shipping Administration]] acquired her for the US Navy. The [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]] in [[Alameda, California]] converted her into a provisions store ship, and on 28 October 1942 she was commissioned into the Navy, commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Edward T. Collins.
On 20 August 1942 ''San Benito'' was was renamed ''Taurus'' and designated AF-25, and on 2 October 1942 the [[War Shipping Administration]] acquired her for the US Navy.<ref name=ShipScribe/> The [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation]] in [[Alameda, California]] converted her into a provisions store ship,<ref name=ShipScribe/> and on 28 October 1942 she was commissioned into the Navy,<ref name=ShipScribe/> commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Edward T. Collins.


===World War II Pacific Theatre operations===
===World War II Pacific Theatre operations===
{{unref-section|date=May 2013}}
After over a month of false starts and technical problems, ''Taurus'' finally loaded cargo and left [[San Francisco]], California, on 1 December. Her voyage to the South [[Pacific Ocean]] took her ''via'' [[Pago Pago]], [[Samoa]], to [[Auckland]], New Zealand. On the voyages the ship suffered at least 32 more technical failures and lost a third of her cargo through the failure of her refrigeration plant. On arrival at Auckland, ''Taurus'' went into a five-week availability{{clarification needed|date=May 2013}} to correct as many of the deficiencies as possible before beginning her tour of duty with the [[Service Squadron]], South Pacific Force.
After over a month of false starts and technical problems, ''Taurus'' finally loaded cargo and left [[San Francisco]], California, on 1 December. Her voyage to the South [[Pacific Ocean]] took her ''via'' [[Pago Pago]], [[Samoa]], to [[Auckland]], New Zealand. On the voyages the ship suffered at least 32 more technical failures and lost a third of her cargo through the failure of her refrigeration plant. On arrival at Auckland, ''Taurus'' went into a five-week availability{{clarification needed|date=May 2013}} to correct as many of the deficiencies as possible before beginning her tour of duty with the [[Service Squadron]], South Pacific Force.


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===End-of-war duties===
===End-of-war duties===
{{refimprove-section|date=May 2013}}
From Samar, ''Taurus'' began her voyage back to the [[United States]]. By 23 November she had transited the [[Panama Canal]] and had reported for duty with the [[United States Fleet Forces Command|US Atlantic Fleet]]. Though originally ordered to [[Norfolk, Virginia]], she was rerouted to [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]. She reported to the Commandant, [[8th Naval District]], on 29 November 1945.
From Samar, ''Taurus'' began her voyage back to the [[United States]]. By 23 November she had transited the [[Panama Canal]] and had reported for duty with the [[United States Fleet Forces Command|US Atlantic Fleet]]. Though originally ordered to [[Norfolk, Virginia]], she was rerouted to [[New Orleans, Louisiana]]. She reported to the Commandant, [[8th Naval District]], on 29 November 1945.


On 11 December 1945 ''Taurus'' was decommissioned and returned, ''via'' the [[War Shipping Administration]], to her owner. Her name was struck from the [[Navy list]] on 3 January 1946.
On 11 December 1945 ''Taurus'' was decommissioned and returned, ''via'' the [[War Shipping Administration]], to her owner.<ref name=ShipScribe/> Her name was struck from the [[Navy list]] on 3 January 1946.<ref name=ShipScribe/>
===Military awards and honors===
===Military awards and honors===

Revision as of 09:08, 23 May 2013

History
UK, Panama & US
NameSS San Benito (1921–42) USS Taurus (1942–45)
OwnerUnited Fruit Company Steamship Co (1921–30)[1] Balboa Shipping Co, Inc.[2]
OperatorClark and Service (1921–30)[1]

United Fruit Company[2] (1931–42)

United States Navy (1942–45)
Port of registrylist error: <br /> list (help)
United Kingdom Glasgow (1921–30)

Panama[2] (1931–42)

United States (1942–46)
BuilderWorkman, Clark & Co, Belfast[2]
Launched12 August 1921[3]
Completed1921[2]
Acquired2 October 1942[3]
Commissioned28 October 1942[3]
Decommissioned11 December 1945[3]
Stricken3 January 1946[3]
Identificationlist error: <br /> list (help)
Code Letters KJNS (until 1930)[1]


Code Letters RXCI (1933)[2]

call sign HPCI (from 1934)[4]

Fatescrapped 1953[3]
General characteristics
Tonnagelist error: <br /> list (help)
3,724 GRT GRT uses unsupported parameter (help)[2]
tonnage under deck 3,122[2]
NRT 2,086[2]
Displacement6,600 long tons (6,706 t) full load[3]
Length325.3 ft (99.2 m)[2]
Beam46.3 ft (14.1 m)[2]
Draft24 ft (7.3 m)
Depth29.2 ft (8.9 m)[2]
Installed power2,500 shp[3]
PropulsionBT-H turbo-electric transmission,[2] single screw
Speed13 knots (24 km/h)[3]
Complement106 (1944)[3]
Armamentlist error: <br /> list (help)
1 × single 4"/50 caliber guns
1 × single 3"/50 caliber guns
6 × single 20 mm AA gun mounts[3]

USS Taurus (AF-25), formerly SS San Benito, was a refrigerated cargo ship of the United Fruit Company that may have been the first merchant ship to be built with turbo-electric transmission.[3] From October 1942 to December 1945 she was a United States Navy stores ship in the Pacific Ocean theatre of World War II.[3] She was scrapped in 1953.[3]

United Fruit Company

Building

Workman, Clark and Company of Belfast, Northern Ireland built San Benito in 1921, launching her on 12 August.[3] British Thomson-Houston built her turbo generator and electric propulsion motor.[2] The turbo generator also powered her electric refrigeration equipment.

Owners and managers

Until 1930 San Benito was owned by the United Fruit Company, which registered her in Glasgow, Scotland and contracted the British company of Clark and Service to manage her.[1] In 1930 or 1931 United Fruit transferred San Benito to its subsidiary Balboa Shipping Company, Inc, which registered her under the Panamanian flag of convenience.[5]

Subsequent turbo-electric ships

After San Benito, Balboa Shipping ordered further turbo-electric refrigerated ships. In 1930 Workman, Clark built SS Musa for Balboa and Camell Laird of Birkenhead, England built Musa'S sister ship SS Platano. After 1930 Balboa's diesel electric motor vessel Darien was re-engined as a turbo-electric.[6] In 1931–33 Newport News Shipbuilding and Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation supplied six passenger and refrigerated cargo liners that in the Second World War were requisitioned as the Mizar-class stores ships.

US Navy service

On 20 August 1942 San Benito was was renamed Taurus and designated AF-25, and on 2 October 1942 the War Shipping Administration acquired her for the US Navy.[3] The Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Alameda, California converted her into a provisions store ship,[3] and on 28 October 1942 she was commissioned into the Navy,[3] commanded by Lt. Cmdr. Edward T. Collins.

World War II Pacific Theatre operations

After over a month of false starts and technical problems, Taurus finally loaded cargo and left San Francisco, California, on 1 December. Her voyage to the South Pacific Ocean took her via Pago Pago, Samoa, to Auckland, New Zealand. On the voyages the ship suffered at least 32 more technical failures and lost a third of her cargo through the failure of her refrigeration plant. On arrival at Auckland, Taurus went into a five-week availability[clarification needed] to correct as many of the deficiencies as possible before beginning her tour of duty with the Service Squadron, South Pacific Force.

Repairs were completed in the first week in February 1943 and Taurus loaded cargo bound for Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides. On 9 February she began the first of four round-trip voyages carrying cargo between Auckland and Espiritu Santo to be staged on to the forward areas.

By August her sphere of operations was widened to include the Solomon Islands. On each of her next six voyages Taurus took cargo from Auckland via Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal.

Through 1944 and much of 1945 Taurus continued to operate in the South Pacific on relatively uneventful supply missions. Early in 1944 she added Napier, New Zealand, and Noumea, New Caledonia, to her ports of call. By late April she was operating as far north in the Solomons as New Georgia and Bougainville. In May and June she visited Efate, Napier, Noumea, and Espiritu Santo. In July and September she made resupply runs to the Russell Islands in the Solomons. Through the end of 1944 and in the first three months of 1945, Taurus continued supplying the Solomons; primarily to Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and the Russells.

After overhaul at Auckland from 6 March to 16 April 1945, Taurus left for Hollandia, New Guinea. Through the end of August, all her voyages — save one to Manus in the Admiralty Islands — were between Auckland and Hollandia. She returned to Auckland on 30 August and departed again nine days later for New Caledonia and thence to the Philippines. After a stop at Noumea between 12 and 14 September, Taurus arrived at Samar on the 25th.

End-of-war duties

From Samar, Taurus began her voyage back to the United States. By 23 November she had transited the Panama Canal and had reported for duty with the US Atlantic Fleet. Though originally ordered to Norfolk, Virginia, she was rerouted to New Orleans, Louisiana. She reported to the Commandant, 8th Naval District, on 29 November 1945.

On 11 December 1945 Taurus was decommissioned and returned, via the War Shipping Administration, to her owner.[3] Her name was struck from the Navy list on 3 January 1946.[3]

Military awards and honors

Taurus' crew members were awarded the following medals:

References

  1. ^ a b c d Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1930. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1933. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Roberts, Stephen S (15 September 2001). "Class: Taurus (AF-25)". U.S. Navy Auxiliary Vessels 1884-1945. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  4. ^ Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1934. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  5. ^ Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1931. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
  6. ^ Lloyd's Register, Steamers & Motorships (PDF). London: Lloyd's Register. 1934. Retrieved 5 May 2013.

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

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