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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Contributed by Al Grazevich

USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89)
ex
 USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) (1945 - 1969)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Alpha - Uniform
 NUAU
JANAP Tactical Voice Radio Call Sign - Haywood (N)ovember - Section 6A of JANAP 119(F) 1968
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Navy Unit Commendation - Navy Expeditionary Medal (2-Cuba) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Dominican Republic)

USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89) was transferred to Colombia, renamed ARC Cordoba (DT-15)
Rudderow Class Destroyer Escort - Crosley Class High-speed Transport:
  • Laid down, 14 February 1944, as Ruchamkin (DE-228), a Rudderow Class Destroyer Escort, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Launched, 15 June 1944
  • Reclassified a Crosley Class High-speed Transport while under construction
  • Commissioned USS Ruchamkin (APD-89), 16 September 1945, LCDR. Townsend U. Weeks, USNR in command
  • Decommissioned, 27 February 1946
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet
  • Recommissioned, 9 March 1951
  • Decommissioned, 13 August 1957
  • Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, South Boston Annex, Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston, MA.
  • Recommissioned, 18 November 1961
  • FRAM II overhaul in November 1963
  • Designation changed to Amphibious Transport, Small (LPR-89), 1 January 1969
  • Decommissioned, 24 November 1969 and transferred to Colombia under the Security Assistance Program, for $156,820, commissioned ARC Cordoba (DT-15)
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 31 October 1977
  • Final Disposition, scrapped by Colombia circa 1980, hull and superstructure on display as an exhibit at the Colombian Naval Museum
    APD Specifications:
    Displacement 1,630 t.(lt) 2,130 t.(fl)
    Length 306' ovl.
    Beam 37'
    Draft 12' 7" (limiting)
    Speed 23.6 kts. (trial)
    Range 6,000 nautical miles at 12 kts.
    Complement
    12 Officers
    192 Enlisted
    Troop Accommodations
    12 Officers
    150 Enlisted
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Boats four LCVP landing craft
    Troop Accoutrements
    six 1/4 ton trucks
    two 1 ton trucks
    four ammunition carts
    four pack howitzers
    Storage
    Ammunition 6,000 cu. ft.
    General Cargo 3,500 cu. ft.
    Gasoline 1,000 cu. ft.
    Armament
    one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    three twin 40 mm gun mounts
    six single 20 mm gun mounts
    two depth charge tracks
    Propulsion
    two Babcox and Wilcox "D" Express type boilers, 435 PSI 750°
    two General Electric turbines, (turbo-electric drive) Ship's Service Generators
     two turbo-drive 300Kw 450V A.C.
     two turbo-drive 40Kw 120V D.C.
    two shafts, shaft horsepower 12,000
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Ruchamkin (APD-89)
    Ruchamkin
    100408931    		 142k
    Namesake
    LTjg. Seyman D. Ruchamkin, USN was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism while serving in USS Cushing (DD-376) on 13 November 1942. USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) was named in his honor.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 82685    		 Mike Smolinski
    Kirwin 37k Kirwin (DE-229) (left) and Ruchamkin (DE-228) (right) dual launching, 15 June 1944, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA. Mike Smolinski
    Ruchamkin
    100408933    		 111k Six U.S. Navy high-speed transports laid up at Green Cove Springs, Florida, circa July 1946. The three identifiable ships are (front to back):
    Ruchamkin (APD-89);
    Crosley (APD-87);
    Julius A. Raven (APD-110).
    U.S. Navy "All Hands" magazine August 1946, p. 12.    		 Robert Hurst
    Bray
    100413901    		 288k U.S. Navy high-speed transports laid up at Green Cove Springs, FL., circa 1947 (l-r):
    USS Ruchamkin (APD-89),
    USS Bray (APD-139),
    USS Rogers Blood (APD-115),
    USS Cread (APD-88),
    USS Upham (APD-99),
    USS Hubbard (APD-53),
    USS Walter S. Gorka (APD-114).
    RM2/c Ken Adams, U.S. Navy. U.S. Navy photo from the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association    		 Robert Hurst
    Ruchamkin 50k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) at anchor off Cannes, France, in 1952 during the Cannes Film Festival. Don Karr USS Ruchamkin
    Ruchamkin 59k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) moored pierside at Bari, Italy, 1952. Don Karr USS Ruchamkin
    Ruchamkin 81k Photo dated, 15 November 1952, one day after USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) had been rammed by SS Washington, a 10,000 ton tanker. Note major damage as a result of the collision.
    US Navy photo.    		  
    Ruchamkin 61k Close up photo of USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) and accompanying ATF after Ruchamkin had been rammed by SS Washington. Scott McCoy
    Ruchamkin 60k Another close up photo of USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) showing clearly the extent of damage done to Ruchamkin. Scott McCoy
    Ruchamkin 232k Bow view from outboard to inboard; USS Ruchamkin (APD-89), USS Bordelon (DD-881) and USSEugene A. Greene (DD-711), moored in Best, France circa 1955. Paul's dad served aboard Ruchamkin. CPT. Paul D. Albertine, USA (Ret)
    Bordelon 162k Stern view from outboard to inboard; USS Ruchamkin (APD-89), USS Bordelon (DD-881), and USS Eugene A. Greene (DD-711) moored pierside at Brest, France circa 1955. Marc Piché
    Ruchamkin 49k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, South Boston Naval Annex, August 1960 © Richard Leonhardt
    Ruchamkin 214k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) underway in Hampton Roads VA., 12 June 1964.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 82690    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Ruchamkin 223k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) coming along side USS Rigel (AF-58) to receive stores, during Operation Steel Pike I, October 1964. Photo by Jim McCoy
    Ruchamkin 51k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) underway, circa 1965, location unknown. Robert Hurst
    Ruchamkin 115k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way, circa 1965, location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret
    Ruchamkin 205k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way, circa 1966, location unknown.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 82686.    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Ruchamkin 138k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way in Hampton Roads VA., 16 January 1967, with USS Mountrail (APA-213) beyond.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo # NH 82689    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Ruchamkin
    NH 82687    		 237k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way in Hampton Roads VA., 16 January 1967.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo #'s NH 82687 and NH 82688    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Ruchamkin
    NH 82688    		 210k
    Ruchamkin 130k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way showing her assault landing craft and single 5"/38 gun for supporting fire, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo and text from "The World Encyclopedia of Destroyers and Frigates" by Bernard Ireland.    		 Robert Hurst
    Ruchamkin 66k USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) under way, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89)
    Ruchamkin 278k USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89) underway as seen from USS Randolph (CVS-15), circa January-February 1969, location either Norfolk, VA. or Philadelphia, PA. Randolph was decommissioned at Philadelphia in February 1969.
    Photo by LTjg. Sully Augustine    		 Bob Canchola, BT, USS Oriskany 1971-73
    Ruchamkin 147k USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89) moored pierside at Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA., Spring, 1969. Carey Smith Marietta, GA.
    Ruchamkin
    NH 82692    		 175k USS Ruchamkin (LPR-89) under way in Hampton Roads VA., 30 April 1969.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command Photo #'s NH 82692 and NH 82691    		 US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Ruchamkin
    NH 82691    		 184k
    ARC Cordoba (DT-15)
    Ruchamkin 53k Ex-USS Ruchamkin (APD-89) in the service of Colombia as ARC Cordoba (DT-15) moored at the Colombian Naval Base ARC Bolivar Sector B 1, at Cartagena , mid-1970s. Photo by LT (r) Luis B. Castro, Colombian Navy
    Ruchamkin 60k ARC Cordoba (DT-15) under way, in 1971, location unknown.
    Official Colombian navy photo.    		 Robert Hurst
    Ruchamkin>
    100408932    		 59k ARC Cordoba (DT-15) underway at Cartagena, Colombia, circa 1974. Luis Bernardo Castro
    Ruchamkin 85k Ex-ARC Cordoba (DT-15) on display as a naval exhibit in Jaime Duque Park, near Bogotá, Colombia, 13 September 2003. Photo by LT (r) Luis B. Castro, Colombian Navy
    Ruchamkin 69k
    Ruchamkin 75k
    Ruchamkin 67k
    Ruchamkin 75k
    Ruchamkin 1479k Ex-ARC Cordoba (DT-15) on display in the Jaime Duque Park, Tocancipá, Colombia, 16 April 2011. Robert Hurst
    Ruchamkin 558k Article published in the August 2018 issue of "Marine News", the monthly magazine of the British-based World Ship Society. The article describes the dismantling, moving and reassemby of ex-Ruchamkin at the park site 8700 ft. above sea level. Gerhard Mueller-Debus
    USS Ruchamkin (APD-89 / LPD-89)
    Dictionary of American Navy Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Weeks, Townsend Ulysses, USNR16 September 1945 - 15 December 1945
    02LTjg. Brinkerhoff, Alfred Quentin, USNR15 December 1945 - 27 February 1946
     Decommissioned27 February 1946 - 9 March 1951
    03LCDR. Schlembach, John Edward, USN1955
     Decommissioned13 August 1957 - 18 November 1957
    05LCDR. Goldman, Peter Joseph, USN (USNA 1948-A)18 November 1961 - 16 July 1963
    06LCDR. Sheehan Jr., William Francis, USN (USNA 1952)16 July 1963 - October 1965
    07LCDR. Buchanan Jr., Alvin John, USNOctober 1965 - 26 November 1966
    08LCDR. Deal Jr., Walter Clarence (Jack), USN26 November 1966 - 1968
    09LCDR. Clynes, Charles Edward, USN1968 - 1969
    10LCDR. Moore, Leonard Moody, USN1969 - 24 November 1969
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves
    Navy Cross Citation for Lieutenant, Junior Grade Seyman D. Ruchamkin, United States Navy
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
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    Last Updated 2 February 2024