Name Increase A. Lapham Construction started 10 June 1943 | Namesake Increase A. Lapham Launched 29 June 1943 | |
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Owner War Shipping Administration (WSA) Operator Alaska Packers Association (APA) Ordered as a Type EC2-S-C1 hull, MCE hull 1584 Builder Permanente Metals Corporation, Richmond, California | ||
USS Alkes (AK-110) was an Crater-class cargo ship commissioned by the US Navy for service in World War II, named after Alkes, a star in the Crater constellation. She was responsible for delivering troops, goods and equipment to locations in the war zone.
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Construction
Increase A. Lapham was a Liberty ship laid down under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1584, on 10 June 1943, at Richmond, California, by the Permanente Metals Corporation, Yard No. 2; launched on 29 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Chester P. Kenman; acquired by the Navy on 5 October 1943; converted for naval service by the Hurley Marine Works, Oakland, California; renamed Alkes (AK-110) on 6 October 1943; and placed in commission at Oakland on 29 October 1943, Commander William H. Wight in command.
Service history
After shakedown training, the new cargo ship got underway for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, her base of operations while she carried supplies to the forward areas in the Pacific Ocean. In early December, the ship sailed to the Gilbert Islands with Task Unit (TU) 16.15.1. She reached Makin Island on 16 December, and commenced unloading. The ship moved to Baker Island on 31 December, to take on cargo prior to returning to Pearl Harbor, where she arrived on 13 January 1944.
Supplying forces in the Marshall Islands
Shortly after returning to Hawaii, the vessel began taking on supplies and equipment for another shuttle run. Alkes sailed on 25 January for the Marshall Islands. Upon reaching Majuro Atoll, on 3 February, the ship began unloading her cargo to support ongoing landing operations. One week later, she reversed her course and arrived back at Pearl Harbor on 21 February.
Supplying the South Pacific forces
Alkes got underway again on 12 March, bound for the Marshall and Gilbert Islands with Task Group 16.12. Among her ports of call were Eniwetok, Kwajalein, and Majuro, Marshall Islands; and Tarawa and Makin, Gilbert Islands. Alkes returned to Pearl Harbor on 8 May, to replenish her cargo. She shaped a course back to the Marshalls on 22 May and made stops at Kwajalein and Eniwetok. The vessel arrived at Guam on 8 August, where she remained for one month discharging cargo and delivering fresh water to various ships of the fleet.
Repairs stateside
Alkes arrived back at Pearl Harbor on 11 September. After 10 days in port, she continued sailing east toward the United States. The vessel reached San Pedro, California, on 3 October and, shortly thereafter, began alterations and repairs. She moved to San Francisco, California, on 27 October, to take on cargo and, on 6 November, sailed for Pearl Harbor.
Return trips to the South Pacific
The ship reached Hawaiian waters on 16 November, and sailed the next day for Eniwetok, Guam, and Ulithi. Alkes reached Ulithi on 13 December, and assumed duty there as a fleet issue ship. She operated at Ulithi until 6 February 1945, when she got underway for a return voyage to California. Alkes arrived at San Pedro on 4 March and underwent repairs while taking on supplies and equipment. She sailed on the 23d to resume her cargo operations in the Western Pacific. On 12 April, the ship returned to Ulithi, where she remained until late May, preparing for the impending assault on the Ryūkyūs.
Supporting Okinawa invasion operations
Alkes got underway with TU 13.11.2 on 23 May, bound for Okinawa. She remained off that island and Kerama Retto from 28 May through 13 August issuing her cargo to units of the invasion force. She experienced numerous air attacks but continued to carry out her duties without sustaining any serious damage.
Return to stateside duties
She left Okinawa in mid-August and sailed via Ulithi to the west coast of the United States. The ship again reached San Pedro on 14 September and remained there until early January 1946, serving as a fleet issue ship. On 3 January, she set a course for the US East Coast. Having transited the Panama Canal, Alkes arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, on 31 January.
Inactivation and decommissioning
Preparations for her inactivation were then begun. The vessel sailed to Baltimore, Maryland, on 8 February and was placed out of commission there on 20 February 1946. She was returned to the Maritime Administration on 27 February, and her name was struck from the Navy List on 12 March 1946.
The ship was subsequently laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, Virginia, as SS Increase A. Lapham. She was sold on 26 October 1971, to Hierros Ardes S. A., Bilbao, Spain, for scrapping.
Awards
Alkes won three battle stars for her World War II service. Her crew was eligible for the following medals: