History of USS Hamlin
AV-15
Displacement 8,510 t.(lt) 12,610 t.(fl);
Length 492';
Beam 69' 5";
Draft 22';
Speed 18.7kts;
Crew Complement 1,077;
Armament two single 5"/38
gun mounts, two quad 40mm gun mounts, two dual 40mm gun mounts, sixteen
single 20mm gun mounts;
Propulsion, steam turbine, two boilers, one
shaft, 8,500hp.
The USS Hamlin was one of the primary support tenders of VPB-208.
This information was taken from http://www.multied.com/Navy/MISC/hamlin.html
Please visit that site for more information, and products about the
Hamlin. Note there was an Escort carrier, CV-15 which was
transfered to the British, 15 July 1943, and renamed HMS Stalker.
There may be some confusion due to this as to which ship's history is
of interest when searching on the internet. The Seaplanes of
VBP-208 and other squadrons were in the Pacific theatre, and were
served by AV-15.
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting
Ships History
Hamlin (AV-15) was Launched by Todd Pacific Shipyards Inc., Tacoma.
Wash., 11 January 1944, sponsored by Miss Constance Taffinder, daughter
of Rear Admiral S. A. Taffinder; and commissioned 26 June 1944, Captain
GI. A. McLean in command. The Hamlin was a Kenneth Whiting
Class Seaplane Tender.
Hamlin conducted shakedown drills off California until 16 August 1944
when she departed San Pedro for the Pacific. Arrived Pearl Harbor 24
August, the ship loaded aviation gasoline and supplies and got underway
29 August for Entwetok. She unloaded cargo and passengers there and
continued to recently won Saipan, arriving 11 September to take up her
plane-tending duties. During this period, seaplanes tended by Hamlin
were making important contributions to the Pacific fighting by engaging
in reconnaissance, hunter-killer operations against submarines, and air
coverage of fleet cripples. She moved to Ulithi 11 October and back to
Saipan anchorage 29 December 1944, all the time continuing her vital
support of plane operations. Hamlin's aircraft protected the cruisers
Houston and Reno, damaged 14 October off Luzon and flew photographic
missions and rescue flights as the Navy pressed home the ever-mounting
attack on Japanese held territory.
The operation next on her schedule was Iwo Jima, necessary to safeguard
lines of communication and provide a base from which fighters could
protect B-29's in bombing missions over Japan. Hamlin proceeded 15
February to Guam for fuel oil and two days later departed for Iwo Jima.
She arrived 2 days after this historic and bitterly contested landing
had begun, and with two other tenders established a floating seaplane
base from which search and rescue missions were performed.
Debris and off-shore gunfire prevented the establishment of the
seadrome until 24 February, and Haml&Mac245;n worked under the
handicap of large swells and congestion of' the sea areas around Iwo
Jima. The ship also experienced numerous air raids during this
operation, but suffered no damage. She got underway for Saipan 8 March
1945 and after another voyage to Guam, she returned to prepare for the
Okinawa operation and the largest seaplane tending job of the war.
Hamlin sailed 23 March from Saipan for Okinawa, the first step prior to
the home islands in the long campaign across the Pacific. Her commander
wee designated Commander, Seaplane Base Graupr The tenders arrived
Kerama Retto, west of Okinawa, 28 March, the day after it had been
secured and 4 days before the main landings on Okinawa. During the
operation, Hamlin's planes provided long-range search, antisubmarine
patrols, and airsea rescue services, even providing aviation gasoline
and luboil to battleships and cruisers. Her work was performed amid
nearly constant air attack by Japanese suicide planes, and, though many
ships in the anchorage were damaged by repeated attacks, Hamlin fought
off all attacks without injury.
The tender group shifted its base of operations to Chimu Wan Okinawa,
11 July. After the surrender of Japan, Hamlin and other tenders got
underway to assist in the occupation 16 August, anchoring in Yokosuka
harbor 30 August. She began tending seaplanes on patrol over Japanese
home waters 2 September, and was anchored in the harbor when the
historic surrender was signed on board Missouri.
Hamlin returned to California following a short period in Japan and
decommissioned at San Diego 15 January 1947, She went to reserve with
the San Diego Group and remained there until September 1962 when she
was transferred to the Maritime Administration, under Navy ownership,
and placed in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Calif.
She was struck from the Navy List 1 July 1963.
Hamlin received three battle stars for service in World War II.
Dates:
| 1944 Jan 11 |
Launched |
| 1944 Jun 26 |
Comissioned
|
| 1944 Aug 16 |
Shakedown |
1944 Aug 24
|
Pearl Harbor
|
1944 Aug 29
|
Pearl Harbor - Entwetok
|
1944 Sep 11
|
Saipan (started Tending
duty)
|
1944 Oct 11
|
Ulithi
|
1944 Dec 29
|
Saipan
|
1945 Feb 15
|
Guam
|
1945 Feb 21
|
Iwo Jima (landing started 19 Feb)
|
1945 Feb 24
|
support landing
|
1945 Mar 8
|
Saipan - Guam
|
1945 Mar 23
|
left Saipan
|
1945 Mar 28
|
Kerama Retto
|
1945 Jul 11
|
Chimu Wan, Okinawa
|
1945 Aug 6
|
** Hiroshima
|
1945 Aug 16
|
Okinawa - Tokyo
|
1945 Aug 23
|
met USS Bangust
32.3n 114.45e
|
1945 Sep 2
|
Arrive Tokyo Bay
|
1945 Sep 12
|
Japanese Surrender
|
1947 Jan 15
|
Decomissioned
|
1947 1962
|
Reserve Fleet, San Diego
|
1963 Jul 1
|
Struck
|
information also taken from http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/carriers/us_sea2.htm#kw-cl
2004 Reunion for Hamlin Crew
USS HAMLIN (AV 15) ASSN reunion will be
held 9-11 Sep 04 at the Shilo Inns Suites Hotel, Portland, OR. Contact
Lawrence.C. GODWIN, 226 State Rte. 18, New Wilmington, PA 16142-3718;
724/652-4880. 4-804 mailto://djmonaco ** at ** adelphia **
dot ** net (replace previous ** xx ** with symbols)
Sailor Donald R. Pond taken from hand written notes in
1991, exactly as written during WWII. with USS Bangust from August 21 1944
until September 19 1945
There is a mention of the Hamlin in
Donald R. Pond's Diary in the entry of August 23, 1945:
August 23 1945
Still waiting for orders to Tokyo. Storm has passed. Went alongside USS
Hamlin (AV 15) to pass OP folder. Kyne left to rendezvoused with USS
Iowa (BB 61) at noon. 32.30n, 114.45e. AVP sank mine today. Drifted
past hospital ships. USS Rescue (AH 18) joined last night. Weaver
rejoined this evening. The LST and the ALR collided so the ALR went
back to Saipan.
Source: http://dpdon.com/bangust/diary.htm