USS Dionysus' Last Stand
Posted by: 
Eagle1977
N 35° 47.675 W 075° 32.881
18S E 450481 N 3961304
The USS Dionysus served in life and now in rest as part of an artificial reef. This bronze screw is all that remains above the waterline.
Waymark Code: WMG1Z9
Location: North Carolina, United States
Date Posted: 01/02/2013
Views: 8
A historical marker tells the tale of the USS Dionysus, a Liberty ship bought by North Carolina to serve as a diving and habitat. The 11 ton cast bronze screw has long been a focal point for family pictures.
USS Dionysus (AR-21), Xanthus-class repair ship
Service life: 1945 to 1955
Original name: Liberty ship SS Faithful
Founded: Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard on 10 October 1944
Sponsor: Mrs. H. C. McClelland
Acquisition: 25 October 1944
Commissioned: 28 April 1945,
Commander: S. D. Simpson
Dionysus arrived at Pearl Harbor on 30 June 1945.
On 13 July she was underway for Eniwetok where she was stationed as repair ship from 24 July to 8 September.
Entering Tokyo Bay on 17 September, Dionysus served there until 10 November when she sailed for overhaul at Bremerton, Washington, where she arrived on 28 November.
On 30 May 1946 she arrived at San Pedro.
Decommissioned: 31 January 1947.
Recommissioned: 13 February 1952
Dionysus sailed from Long Beach on 8 April 1952 to join the Atlantic Fleet.
She arrived at Naval Station Norfolk on 29 April 1952 and served primarily at this base.
Relocated (1953) to the Caribbean to repair ships operating from Roosevelt Roads Naval Station, Puerto Rico, ending on 16 April 1954 when she sailed to visit Charleston, South Carolina.
Arrived at Newport, Rhode Island on 11 May 1954 and continued her repair services there until 3 February 1955.
At New York from 4 February to 11 April 1955, she then sailed for Beaumont, Texas, where she was placed in commission in reserve upon her arrival on 20 April 1955. She arrived at Orange, Texas on 25 April 1955 and was placed out of commission in reserve there as of 1 July 1955.
Withdrawn from the James River Reserve Fleet on 31 May 1978.
For what use was your waymark originally intended?: Marine
What purpose does it serve today?: Historic/Educational
More on this waymark can be found here.: [Web Link]
Explain any choices not listed above.: Not listed
|