SS Albert M. Boe
Encyclopedia
SS Albert M. Boe was a liberty ship
laid down on 11 July 1945 at the East Yard of New England Shipbuilding Corporation
in Portland, Maine
, as a boxed aircraft transport. The ship is notable as the final liberty ship built. She was named after Chief Engineer Albert M. Boe who remained in the engine room acting to control the spread of fire when an engine of the aircraft repair vessel U.S. Army FS-214
exploded despite burns that proved to be fatal. He is credited with saving the lives of other crew members by that action and received the posthumous Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal
.
Albert M. Boe was assigned hull number 3132 by the U.S. Maritime Commission (USMC) and was launched on 26 September 1945 (Engine Builder: Filer & Stowell Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
); delivered to the US Army
and on 30 October 1945 was commissioned USAT Albert M. Boe.
On 1 March 1950, she was decommissioned by the US Army and acquired by US Navy
as USNS Albert M. Boe (T-AKV-6). On 12 January 1953, she was placed out of service, and on 22 January she was transferred to USMC. On 11 March 1954, she was struck from the Naval Register. In 1964, she was sold for commercial service, converted for use as a fish
cannery ship, and renamed Star of Kodiak. Though currently landlocked, Star of Kodiak is still in use as the home of Trident Seafoods
Liberty ship
Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
laid down on 11 July 1945 at the East Yard of New England Shipbuilding Corporation
New England Shipbuilding Corporation
The New England Shipbuilding Corporation was a shipyard located in the city of South Portland, Maine, United States. The yard originated as two separate entities, the Todd-Bath Iron Shipbuilding Corporation and the South Portland Shipbuilding Corporation, which were created in 1940 and 1941...
in Portland, Maine
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, as a boxed aircraft transport. The ship is notable as the final liberty ship built. She was named after Chief Engineer Albert M. Boe who remained in the engine room acting to control the spread of fire when an engine of the aircraft repair vessel U.S. Army FS-214
USS Mark (AG-143)
USS Mark , was built as the Aircraft Repair variant, Design 427,http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/smallships/armyfreighters.htm | Shipbuilding History: U.S. Army Coastal Freighters - F, FS and T Boats of the Army FS types as FS-214 for use by the United States Army. She was built at...
exploded despite burns that proved to be fatal. He is credited with saving the lives of other crew members by that action and received the posthumous Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal
Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal
The Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal is a decoration of the United States Merchant Marine . The decoration is the highest award which can be bestowed upon members of that service and is the service’s equivalent of the Medal of Honor; since mariners serving in the United State Merchant...
.
Albert M. Boe was assigned hull number 3132 by the U.S. Maritime Commission (USMC) and was launched on 26 September 1945 (Engine Builder: Filer & Stowell Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
); delivered to the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
and on 30 October 1945 was commissioned USAT Albert M. Boe.
On 1 March 1950, she was decommissioned by the US Army and acquired by US Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as USNS Albert M. Boe (T-AKV-6). On 12 January 1953, she was placed out of service, and on 22 January she was transferred to USMC. On 11 March 1954, she was struck from the Naval Register. In 1964, she was sold for commercial service, converted for use as a fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
cannery ship, and renamed Star of Kodiak. Though currently landlocked, Star of Kodiak is still in use as the home of Trident Seafoods