USS Duplin (AKA-87)

Typical Achernar-class AKA
History
Launched:	17 October, 1944
Commissioned:	15 May, 1945
Decommissioned:	21 May, 1946
Fate:	Scrapped in 1971
General Characteristics
Displacement:	6,350 tons
Length:	459 ft 2 in (140 m)
Beam:	63 ft (19.2 m)
Draft:	26 ft 4 in (8.0 m)
Propulsion:	GE geared turbine drive, single propeller, 6,000 shp (4.5 MW)
Speed:	16 knots (31 km/h)
Complement:	429
Armament:	1 × 5"/38 caliber dual purpose gun mount

USS Duplin (AKA-87) was an Achernar class attack cargo ship named after Duplin County, North Carolina. Like all AKAs, Duplin was designed to carry military cargo and landing craft, and to use the latter to land weapons, supplies, and Marines on enemy shores during amphibious operations. She served as a commissioned ship for 12 months.

History

Duplin was launched 17 October 1944 by North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, North Carolina, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Miss M. Jennette; acquired by the Navy 30 October 1944; converted by Bethlehem Steel Co., Key Highway Plant, Baltimore, Md.; and commissioned 15 May 1945, Commander H. B. Fluck, USNR, in command.

Duplin arrived at Marseilles, France, from Norfolk 24 June 1945 to embark Army troops and cargo for the Pacific. She sailed from Marseilles 9 July for the Panama Canal and Manila, arriving 23 August. With occupation troops embarked, Duplin sailed 20 September to land her passengers at Wakayama, 5 days later. She made a similar voyage to land troops at Matsuyama 22 October, then was assigned to "Magic Carpet" duty returning servicemen to the United States.

Duplin sailed from Nagoya 9 November 1945 and landed the veterans at Seattle, Washington, on the 20th. Between 28 December 1945 and 20 February 1946 she voyaged to carry cargo to Japan for the occupation forces, returning with troops. She departed Oakland, California, 6 March for the east coast, arriving at Norfolk 20 days later. Duplin was decommissioned 21 May 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission 23 May 1946 for disposal.

She was scrapped in 1971.

References

• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Primary source for this article)

External links

• Naval Historical Center: USS Duplin
• NavSource Online: AKA-87 Duplin
• 51 Years of AKAs