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Cape Carthage was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 304) on 5 June 1943 by Pusey & Jones Corp., Wilmington, [[Delaware]]; launched on 12 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. J. H. Deinlein; acquired by the Navy on 22 December 1943; renamed '''Acontius''' and designated AGP-12; converted for naval service at [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], by the Maryland Drydock Co.; and commissioned on 23 June 1944, Lt. Comdr. R. G. Heppard in command.

Cape Carthage was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 304) on 5 June 1943 by Pusey & Jones Corp., Wilmington, [[Delaware]]; launched on 12 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. J. H. Deinlein; acquired by the Navy on 22 December 1943; renamed '''Acontius''' and designated AGP-12; converted for naval service at [[Baltimore]], [[Maryland]], by the Maryland Drydock Co.; and commissioned on 23 June 1944, Lt. Comdr. R. G. Heppard in command.

Following shakedown out of [[Guantanamo Bay]], [[Cuba]], Acontius steamed to the coast of [[Panama]], transited the canal, and arrived at Tulagi, [[Solomon Islands]], on 18 September. Except for a brief run to the Russell Islands in October, Acontius remained anchored in Tulagi harbor tending boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron (MTBRon) 31 until 3 November. On that day, she moved to Blanche Harbor, Treasury Islands, and resumed her tender duties.

Following shakedown out of [[Guantanamo Bay]], [[Cuba]], Acontius steamed to the coast of [[Panama]], transited the canal, and arrived at [[Tulagi]], in the [[Solomon Islands]], on 18 September. Except for a brief run to the Russell Islands in October, Acontius remained anchored in Tulagi harbor tending boats of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron (MTBRon) 31 until 3 November. On that day, she moved to Blanche Harbor, Treasury Islands, and resumed her tender duties.

On 1 December, Acontius got underway for the Palau Islands in company with boats of MTBRons 20 and 31; reached Pelelieu on the 21st; and served there until 28 February 1945. Acontius then sailed for the [[Philippines]], dropped anchor in San Pedro Bay on 3 March, and provided services to MTBRons 31 and 69. In August, the tender became the flagship for Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, [[Pacific]] Fleet.

On 1 December, Acontius got underway for the Palau Islands in company with boats of MTBRons 20 and 31; reached Pelelieu on the 21st; and served there until 28 February 1945. Acontius then sailed for the [[Philippines]], dropped anchor in San Pedro Bay on 3 March, and provided services to MTBRons 31 and 69. In August, the tender became the flagship for Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, [[Pacific]] Fleet.