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The unnamed tank landing ship, LST-455, was laid down on 3 August 1942 at Vancouver, Wash., by the Kaiser Co., Inc.; launched on 17 October 1942; and commissioned at her builder's yard on 30 January 1943, Lt. Clarence Cisin, USNR, in command.

The unnamed tank landing ship, LST-455, was laid down on 3 August 1942 at Vancouver, Wash., by the Kaiser Co., Inc.; launched on 17 October 1942; and commissioned at her builder's yard on 30 January 1943, Lt. Clarence Cisin, USNR, in command.

Adjudged ready for service, LST-455 sailed from San Diego on 20 February for San Francisco and shifted thence to Hunters Point, and, later, to the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif., where she completed fitting out and manning. She cleared the Golden Gate on 8 March, bound for the South Pacific and, a month and a day later, arrived in Samoan waters, en route to Australia. She ultimately reached Sydney, New South Wales, via Wellington, N.Z., on 2 May 1943. However, while she had been en route, plans were made that would significantly change her operations in the years that lay ahead.

Adjudged ready for service, LST-455 sailed from [[San Diego]] on 20 February for [[San Francisco]] and shifted thence to Hunters Point, and, later, to the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif., where she completed fitting out and manning. She cleared the Golden Gate on 8 March, bound for the South Pacific and, a month and a day later, arrived in Samoan waters, en route to Australia. She ultimately reached Sydney, New South Wales, via Wellington, N.Z., on 2 May 1943. However, while she had been en route, plans were made that would significantly change her operations in the years that lay ahead.

Amphibious assaults on Japanese-held islands in the South and Southwest Pacific theater had involved virtually hundreds of landing craft of all types and sizes, ranging from small craft to infantry landing craft and tank landing craft (LCI's and LCT's, respectively). Since these specialized assault craft, of comparatively light construction, could not be repaired with the few facilities and men available to them alone, orders went out that several tank landing ships would be converted to special landing craft repair ships (later classified as ARL).

Amphibious assaults on Japanese-held islands in the South and Southwest Pacific theater had involved virtually hundreds of landing craft of all types and sizes, ranging from small craft to infantry landing craft and tank landing craft (LCI's and LCT's, respectively). Since these specialized assault craft, of comparatively light construction, could not be repaired with the few facilities and men available to them alone, orders went out that several tank landing ships would be converted to special landing craft repair ships (later classified as ARL).

However, modifying existing LST's in stateside yards required time—a critical commodity in the fairly steady pace of the amphibious island-hopping campaigns—that the forces fighting at the front did not have. At this point, LST-455, then in Australian waters, came under the gaze of these amphibious planners.

However, modifying existing LST's in stateside yards required time—a critical commodity in the fairly steady pace of the amphibious island-hopping campaigns—that the forces fighting at the front did not have. At this point, LST-455, then in Australian waters, came under the gaze of these amphibious planners.

In one month, lathes, welding machines, as well as cutting outfits and repair tools for the necessary types of craft, were installed on board. Departmental shops of many kinds—ranging from machine shops to motor repair work, to shipfitting, to metalsmith, to electric, and radio repair, took shape in what had once been the cavernous tank deck. Experienced personnel, trained in ship repair work, were assigned to the ship and almost doubled the size of her complement. Ready for service by the latter part of May 1943, the former tank landing ship departed Australian waters, bound for New Guinea, and arrived at Milne Bay on 2 June 1943. She immediately commenced the work for which she had been converted, repairing LCI's under the guidance of the repair officer of Rigel (AR-11). In a comparatively short span of time, LST-455's men, eager and capable, enabled their ship to receive letters of commendation for her efficient work.

In one month, lathes, welding machines, as well as cutting outfits and repair tools for the necessary types of craft, were installed on board. Departmental shops of many kinds—ranging from machine shops to motor repair work, to shipfitting, to metalsmith, to electric, and radio repair, took shape in what had once been the cavernous tank deck. Experienced personnel, trained in ship repair work, were assigned to the ship and almost doubled the size of her complement. Ready for service by the latter part of May 1943, the former tank landing ship departed Australian waters, bound for [[New Guinea]], and arrived at Milne Bay on 2 June 1943. She immediately commenced the work for which she had been converted, repairing LCI's under the guidance of the repair officer of Rigel (AR-11). In a comparatively short span of time, LST-455's men, eager and capable, enabled their ship to receive letters of commendation for her efficient work.

While she lay at Milne Bay, further alterations changed the ship's topside appearance: two evaporators were placed on her deck, enabling her to produce potable water for thirsty ships and craft; and a long deckhouse was added amidships. This work was done by the ship's force, working almost 'round the clock. Two king posts for hoisting supplies and gear on board were also added, forward, just [[abaft]] the elevator to the old tank deck. LST-455, in the words of her chronicler, "was the front line experiment for landing craft repair ships and as a result of her needs other ships could be more properly fitted out." Meanwhile, according to that historian, her men were developing a special pride for their ship.

While she lay at Milne Bay, further alterations changed the ship's topside appearance: two evaporators were placed on her deck, enabling her to produce potable water for thirsty ships and craft; and a long deckhouse was added amidships. This work was done by the ship's force, working almost 'round the clock. Two king posts for hoisting supplies and gear on board were also added, forward, just [[abaft]] the elevator to the old tank deck. LST-455, in the words of her chronicler, "was the front line experiment for landing craft repair ships and as a result of her needs other ships could be more properly fitted out." Meanwhile, according to that historian, her men were developing a special pride for their ship.

On 4 September 1943, Vice Admiral Daniel E. Barbey's 7th Fleet Amphibious Forces put Australian troops ashore on the Huon Peninsula, near Lae, New Guinea. LST-455 moved up to support these operations from Morobe Bay and, at 1100 on 12 September, lay anchored there among the Allied ships, presenting a tempting target by virtue of the nest of LCI's alongside. Nine Japanese dive bombers, escorted by nine "Zero" fighters, attacked the shipping in Morobe Bay and singled out LST-455 for attention, scoring a direct hit aft. A large bomb hit the stern, passed through the galley, and exploded in the crew's quarters, aft, starting fires and trapping men in the after steering room. Determined sailors battled the blaze and cut through bulkheads to rescue the trapped men. The damage control measures were directed by the ship's commanding officer, Lt. E. A. Peterson, USNR (who had relieved Lt. Cisin in August) and won him a Navy Cross for personal heroism.

On 4 September 1943, Vice Admiral Daniel E. Barbey's 7th Fleet Amphibious Forces put Australian troops ashore on the Huon Peninsula, near Lae, New Guinea. LST-455 moved up to support these operations from Morobe Bay and, at 1100 on 12 September, lay anchored there among the Allied ships, presenting a tempting target by virtue of the nest of LCI's alongside. Nine Japanese dive bombers, escorted by nine "[[Mitsubishi Zero|Zero]]" fighters, attacked the shipping in Morobe Bay and singled out LST-455 for attention, scoring a direct hit aft. A large bomb hit the stern, passed through the galley, and exploded in the crew's quarters, aft, starting fires and trapping men in the after steering room. Determined sailors battled the blaze and cut through bulkheads to rescue the trapped men. The damage control measures were directed by the ship's commanding officer, Lt. E. A. Peterson, USNR (who had relieved Lt. Cisin in August) and won him a Navy Cross for personal heroism.

Although she had been heavily hit, LST-455 shot down two of the attackers. By nightfall, her men had extinguished the blaze and commenced initial repairs. She had suffered the loss of 18 men killed; 11 were wounded; and six men were missing. Sonoma (ATO-12) then towed LST-455 to Milne Bay where the repair ship was berthed alongside Rigel. However, the need for LST-455's services was so urgent that she was soon back to work repairing LCI's even though her own severe damage had not yet been fully corrected.

Although she had been heavily hit, LST-455 shot down two of the attackers. By nightfall, her men had extinguished the blaze and commenced initial repairs. She had suffered the loss of 18 men killed; 11 were wounded; and six men were missing. Sonoma (ATO-12) then towed LST-455 to Milne Bay where the repair ship was berthed alongside Rigel. However, the need for LST-455's services was so urgent that she was soon back to work repairing LCI's even though her own severe damage had not yet been fully corrected.

Although now unable to perform the full range of services she had been providing—since the fires following the kamikaze crash had claimed her stock of spare parts—Achilles remained in San Pedro Bay until 27 November, doing what she could. On that day, she headed for Hollandia, where she received repairs to the damage wreaked by the kamikaze and took on a load of spare parts before continuing on to Manus in the Admiralties. There, she picked up more supplies before returning to Hollandia to resume tending landing craft.

Although now unable to perform the full range of services she had been providing—since the fires following the kamikaze crash had claimed her stock of spare parts—Achilles remained in San Pedro Bay until 27 November, doing what she could. On that day, she headed for Hollandia, where she received repairs to the damage wreaked by the kamikaze and took on a load of spare parts before continuing on to Manus in the Admiralties. There, she picked up more supplies before returning to Hollandia to resume tending landing craft.

In the latter half of February 1945 and early March, Achilles returned via Biak to Leyte, but quickly proceeded to Subic Bay and Mindoro, spending a week in each place, tending LSM's and carrying out her vital support work. During the latter part of April, Achilles moved down to Morotai, in the Netherlands East Indies, for further tender duty, readying landing craft for the impending invasion of Borneo.

In the latter half of February 1945 and early March, Achilles returned via Biak to Leyte, but quickly proceeded to Subic Bay and Mindoro, spending a week in each place, tending LSM's and carrying out her vital support work. During the latter part of April, Achilles moved down to Morotai, in the Netherlands East Indies, for further tender duty, readying landing craft for the impending invasion of [[Borneo]].

Participating in the initial landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo, Achilles again came under air attack, when a "Dinah" bomber loosed two bombs that landed 50 yards off her starboard beam. This attack, on 10 June 1945, caused no damage to the ship, although shrapnel wounded two men in Achilles' crew. The repair ship remained at Borneo until she returned to the Philippine Islands late in July to join the forces marshalling there for the projected invasion of the Japanese homeland.

Participating in the initial landings at Brunei Bay, Borneo, Achilles again came under air attack, when a "Dinah" bomber loosed two bombs that landed 50 yards off her starboard beam. This attack, on 10 June 1945, caused no damage to the ship, although shrapnel wounded two men in Achilles' crew. The repair ship remained at Borneo until she returned to the Philippine Islands late in July to join the forces marshalling there for the projected invasion of the Japanese homeland.

However, the capitulation of Japan in mid-August obviated Operation "Olympic" (the assault against the home islands of Japan) but did not end operations for Achilles. She repaired landing craft into the fall of 1945, relieved on station by Proserpine (ARL-21). Proceeding to Hawaii, Achilles, in company with Remus (ARL-40), reached Pearl Harbor on the last day of October.

However, the capitulation of Japan in mid-August obviated Operation "Olympic" (the assault against the home islands of Japan) but did not end operations for Achilles. She repaired landing craft into the fall of 1945, relieved on station by Proserpine (ARL-21). Proceeding to Hawaii, Achilles, in company with Remus (ARL-40), reached [[Pearl Harbor]] on the last day of October.

After five days at that Pacific base, which had provided "the first glimpse of civilization in over two years" to veteran sailors of Achilles, the repair ship departed Hawaiian waters, bound for California, and passed through the Golden Gate on 28 November 1945.         

After five days at that Pacific base, which had provided "the first glimpse of civilization in over two years" to veteran sailors of Achilles, the repair ship departed Hawaiian waters, bound for California, and passed through the Golden Gate on 28 November 1945.         

Anchoring in San Francisco Bay and disembarking 165 passengers brought from Pearl Harbor, Achilles proceeded thence to Stockton, Calif., for repairs to her generators and heating system. She remained there until getting away for the Gulf of Mexico on 4 January 1946.

Anchoring in San Francisco Bay and disembarking 165 passengers brought from Pearl Harbor, Achilles proceeded thence to Stockton, Calif., for repairs to her generators and heating system. She remained there until getting away for the Gulf of Mexico on 4 January 1946.

Transiting the Panama Canal on 20 January and lingering for a day at Colon, on the Atlantic side of the isthmus, the repair ship reached New Orleans before the end of January and soon commenced work preparing LSM's and LCS's for inactivation, a task she performed into the summer. Decommissioned on 19 July 1946, Achilles was struck from the Navy list on 28 August 1946.

Transiting the [[Panama Canal]] on 20 January and lingering for a day at Colon, on the Atlantic side of the isthmus, the repair ship reached New Orleans before the end of January and soon commenced work preparing LSM's and LCS's for inactivation, a task she performed into the summer. Decommissioned on 19 July 1946, Achilles was struck from the Navy list on 28 August 1946.

On 14 March 1947, the Navy decided to transfer Achilles to China under the [[Lend-Lease Act]]; and, on 8 September 1947, the repair ship was delivered to representatives of the Chinese Navy at New Orleans. Commissioned as Hsing An, on 5 November 1947, she sailed for China two days later. Little is known of the ship's active service under the Chinese flag, except that in fleeing the Red Chinese advance in 1949, she ran aground. Her crew then set fire to the hulk to deny the Chinese communists her use. The veteran of bombing at Morobe Bay and the kamikaze in San Pedro Bay, however, proved tougher—the communists salvaged her, refitted her, and renamed her Taku San. Her ultimate disposition, however, is cloaked in the mystery that usually surrounds ships that come into the hands of the Red Chinese Navy.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a2/achilles.htm]</ref>

On 14 March 1947, the Navy decided to transfer Achilles to China under the [[Lend-Lease Act]]; and, on 8 September 1947, the repair ship was delivered to representatives of the Chinese Navy at New Orleans. Commissioned as Hsing An, on 5 November 1947, she sailed for China two days later. Little is known of the ship's active service under the Chinese flag, except that in fleeing the Red Chinese advance in 1949, she ran aground. Her crew then set fire to the hulk to deny the Chinese communists her use. The veteran of bombing at Morobe Bay and the kamikaze in San Pedro Bay, however, proved tougher—the communists salvaged her, refitted her, and renamed her Taku San. Her ultimate disposition, however, is cloaked in the mystery that usually surrounds ships that come into the hands of the Red Chinese Navy.<ref>Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a2/achilles.htm]</ref>

{{DEFAULTSORT: Achilles, The}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Achilles, The}}

[[Category:Ships]]

[[Category:Ships]]