Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Megrez (AK-126)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Hotel - Delta - Xray NHDX

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - China Service Medal (extended) - American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp) - Philippines Liberation Medal

Crater Class Cargo Ship:

Laid down, 31 March 1943, as SS General Vallejo, a Maritime Commission type (EC2-S-C1) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1642), at California Shipbuilding Corp., Wilmington, CA.

Launched, 23 April 1943

Acquired by the US Navy, 7 October 1943

Converted for Naval service at Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division, San Francisco, CA.

Commissioned, USS Megrez (AK-126), 26 October 1943, LCDR. James E. Dow, USNR, in command

During World War II USS Megrez was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

Following World War II USS Megrez was assigned to Occupation duty and China service from 12 October 1945 to 13 February 1946

Decommissioned, 29 May 1946, at Pearl Harbor, TH.

Struck from the Naval Register, 1 August 1947

Delivered to the Maritime Commission, 18 September 1947, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA.

Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 13 June 1974, to Zidel Explorations Inc., physically delivered, 21 June 1974

Specifications:
Displacement 4,023 t.(lt) 14,550 t.(fl)
Length 441' 6"
Beam 56' 11"
Draft 28' 4"
Speed 12.5 kts. (trial)

Complement

Officers 18

Enlisted 260

Largest Boom Capacity 50 t.

Cargo Capacity 7,800 DWT

non-refrigerated 414,774 Cu ft.

Armament

one single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mount

one single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount

two single 40mm AA gun mounts

six single 20mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacity NSFO 7,285 Bbls

Propulsion

one Joshua-Hendy vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine

two Babcock and Wilcox header-type boilers, 220psi 450°
Ship's Service Generators
three recip-drive 20Kw 120V D.C.
one turbo-drive 60Kw 120V D.C.

single propeller, 2,500shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
SS General Vallejo (MCE hull 1642)
	158k	SS General Vallejo (plan view - amidships looking forward) before conversion to US Naval service at Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division, San Francisco, CA., 13 October 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7108-43, 10/13/43	Darryl Baker
	142k	SS General Vallejo (plan view - amidships looking aft) before conversion to US Naval service at Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division, San Francisco, CA., 13 October 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7109-43, 10/13/43	Darryl Baker
	131k	SS General Vallejo (plan view - aft) before conversion to US Naval service at Bethlehem Steel Co., Shipbuilding Division, San Francisco, CA., 13 October 1943. NARA San Francisco - Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7110-43, 10/13/43	Tracy White
USS Megrez (AK-126)
	82k	*USS Megrez* (AK-126)** (plan view - forward) after conversion to US Naval service at Oakland, CA., 2 November 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7480-43, 11/2/43	Darryl Baker
	78k	*US Megrez* (AK-126)** (plan view - aft) after conversion to US Naval service at Oakland, CA., 2 November 1943. Navy Yard Mare Island photo # 7481-43, 11/2/43	Darryl Baker
	51k	*USS Megrez* (AK-126)** at anchor, in Ulithi Atoll, date unknown. Note the bedding draped over the side rails. Air bedding was a regular routine conducted on all ships of the fleet.	Bill Welsh in honor of his father Sgt. William C. Welsh USMCR Carmita Marine Detachment
	35k	*USS Megrez* (AK-126)** at anchor, in Ulithi Atoll, date unknown with a covered lighter alongside.	Bill Welsh in honor of his father Sgt. William C. Welsh USMCR Carmita Marine Detachment
	83k	*USS Megrez* (AK-126)** at anchor, date and location unknown.	David Nixon

USS Megrez (AK-126)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Commanding Officers
01	LCDR. Dow, James Edward, USNR	26 October 1943 - 3 September 1945
02	LT. Powers, William Thomas, USNR	September 1945 - 29 May 1946


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page

Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index

Back To The Cargo Ship (AK) Photo Index

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 8 November 2013