Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

USS Birgit (AKA-24)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - Oscar - Bravo
 NTOB
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Liberation Medal
Artemis Class Attack Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 22 February 1944, as a Maritime Commission type (S4-SE2-BE1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1885) at Welsh-Kaiser Co., Providence, R.I.
  • Launched, 18 July 1944
  • Commissioned USS Birgit (AKA-24), 28 October 1944, CDR. Gerald J. Burke, USNR, in command
  • During World War II USS Birgit was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater;
    TransRon Twelve, COMO. H.B Knowles USN (17);
    TransDiv Thirty-Four
  • Following World War II USS Birgit was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East from 28 October to 2 November 1945
  • Decommissioned, 15 March 1946, at Orange, TX.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 21 May 1946
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission 1 July 1946, at Mobile, AL.
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping 10 January 1972, to Union Minerals & Alloys, Corp. for $61,612.54 under MARAD contract (PD-X--926 dated 8 December 1971)
    Specifications:
    Displacement 4,025 long tons (lt) 6,800 long tons (fl)
    Length 426'
    Beam 58'
    Draft 16' 6", loaded
    Speed 16.9 kts (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 27
    Enlisted 276
    Largest Boom Capacity 30 t.
    Armament
    one single stern mounted 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    ten single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 980 DWT non-refrigerated 110,000 Cu ft
    Boats
    one LCP(L)
    twelve LCVP
    two LCMs
    Troop Accommodations 267
    Fuel Capacities
    NSFO 9,540 Bbls
    Diesel 365 Bbls
    Propulsion
    twin screws, 3300 SHP each, Max. 2210 AC
    two Westinghouse Turbo-electric engines
    two Wickes boilers, 2-Drum, D-Type Superheaters, 44,000 lb/hr. ea, 450 psi at 750 ° F.
    two Desuperheaters
    two Economizers
    Mechanical Ventilation, 213,135 CFM
    Ship's Service Generators
    two turbo-drive 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    one turbo-drive 150Kw 450V A.C.
    two turbo-drive 250Kw 450V A.C.
    twin propellers, 6,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Birgit 58k USS Birgit (AKA-24) at anchor circa 1945, location unknown.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 83249 Courtesy Donald M. McPherson, 1975.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    USS Birgit (AKA-24)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR. Burke, Gerald J. USNR28 October 1944 - 15 December 1945
    02LCDR. Nielson, William A. USNR15 December 1945 -15 March 1946
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Amphibious Ship Type Index Back To The Amphibious Cargo Ship (AKA) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 9 October 2015