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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Kapvik (YO-155)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - Xray - Yankee
NHXY

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

Kapvik (YO-155) was transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-lease Act

Fuel Oil Barge (Non self-propelled):

Built by John H. Mathis Co., Camden, NJ (YN 108)

Completed for Chester A. Poling, New York, NY, as tank barge Poling Bros. No. 9 (ON 171740), June 1934

Broke moorings in storm and drifted out to sea, late 1941

Washed ashore eight miles west¹ of Vik, Iceland, January 1942

Placed "in operation" at Hvalfjordur, Iceland, 10 September 1942

Operated out of Reykjavik and Skerjafjordur until 24 January 1944

Transferred to the United Kingdom under the Lend-Lease Act, 24 January 1944

Returned to US Naval custody, 26 June 1946

Struck from the Naval Register, 29 September 1947

Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal

Final Disposition, fate unknown

^{1. Kapvik's DANFS entry is incorrect in stating the barge washed ashore east of Vik, based on Barnegat (AVP-10)'s war diary and photos of the barge in situ,}

Specifications:
Displacement 792 gross tons
Length 208' 1"
Beam 39' 1"
Draft 11' 8"
Cargo Capacity unknown
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Armament probably none
Propulsion none

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
141215501	122k	The small cluster of tents visible under the left slope of Mount Pétursey is "Camp Berkey," which served as the temporary base for personnel during the salvage operations, which started on 26 May 1942. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-47	Tracy White, Researcher @ Large
141215502	155k	Barge "Poling Brothers No. 9" aground on a black sand beach eight miles from the village of Vik on the southern shore of Iceland. Precise date is unknown, but was shot during salvage of the barge in late May / early June of 1942. This view is of the port side and stern, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-3
141215503	89k	View on shore looking west and at the starboard side and bow of Barge No. 9 earlier in the salvage efforts. Sand has not yet been cleared from the hull as part of the efforts to pull her from shore. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-12
141215504	168k	A close up of Poling Brothers No. 9 towards the start of salvage operations. Sand has been dug out to allow jacks to raise the hull slightly off the surface of the beach. Note the distortion at the turn of the hull, presumably damage from being battered ashore during her grounding. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-4
141215505	101k	On-deck view likely earlier during salvage efforts to remove the gasoline that was on board when the barge broke free from moorings in New York Harbor during a storm in late 1941. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-46
141215506	130k	Starboard bow view of the barge. By this point she has been slightly lifted and wooden beams pushed underneath to serve as skids to allow her to slide to the water easier. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-10
141215507	123k	Preparations are being made to pull the barge from the beach. A path of wooden skids, similar to the ways a ship slides down have been built below Barge No. 9 with buckets of what are presumably a lubricant such as grease or tallow sitting on top ready for application. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-23
141215508	118k	The precise date and circumstances of this photo are unknown. Redwing (ARS-4) appears to have a line taking tension on Poling Brothers No. 9, however Redwing was not present when the barge was pulled free of the shore. Redwing had pulled the barge to the waterline on June 13th, but the decision had been made to try and pull the barge from the shore on June 15th, when the weather was forecast to be better. This actually happened ten days later and was performed by Barnegat (AVP-10) when Redwing was not present. Barnegat stood by the barge until relieved by Redwing early the next day. Reports from Camp Berkey on June 15th stated that the barge had been pulled 112 feet towards the water by Redwing. Initial plans to complete the refloating of the barge two days later were delayed until June 23rd by bad weather. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-26
141215509	122k	Poling Brothers No. 9 fully afloat on 23 June 1942 after six months and being towed away from shore by Barnegat. Barnegat laid to with the barge until the following day, when Redwing arrived to tow the barge west to Hvalfjordur, Iceland for repair. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-25
141215510	166k	On the shores at Miðsandur, on the eastern end of Hvalfjordur undergoing repairs, most likely in August of 1942. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-29
141215511	184k	View looking south towards the waters of Hvalfjordur showing the port side during repairs. A small section of pontoons has been placed near the bow to assist with work at high tide. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-30
141215512	98k	YO-155 on shore at Hvalfjordur, Iceland for repair following her tow by Redwing. Note the distortion to the sides of the barge presumably due to the force of the waves when she was aground. National Archives photo 80-G-11469-9