USS Keokuk

USS Keokuk may refer to:

USS Keokuk (CMc-6)

USS Keokuk (AN-5/CM-8/CMc-6/AKN-4) was a mine and net laying ship of the United States Navy during World War II.

Laid down in 1914 as the SS Henry M. Flagler by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, and renamed SS Columbia Heights in 1940, she was acquired by the U.S. Navy on 28 July 1941 for conversion to a Coastal Minelayer, CMc-6. Reclassified as a Net Layer, AN-5, and named USS Keokuk on 15 August 1941, she was commissioned on 28 February 1942. Reclassified as a Minelayer, CM-8, on 18 May 1942, and again as a Net Cargo Ship, AKN-4, in November 1943.

Service history

Atlantic Coast operations

Keokuk cleared Delaware Bay on 7 March 1942 and arrived Norfolk, Virginia, the same day to commence service as a net layer. She operated out of Norfolk and Key West, Florida, for two months before she was reclassified as Minelayer CM-8 on 18 May 1942. Based at Yorktown, Virginia, mine depot that summer, Keokuk engaged in high priority mine laying along the Atlantic coast.

World War II North Africa operations

Keokuk (YTB-771)

Keokuk (YTB-771) is a United States Navy Natick-class large harbor tug named for Keokuk, Iowa, and the third navy ship to carry the name.

Construction

The contract for Keokuk was awarded 18 January 1963. She was laid down on 5 December 1963 at Mobile, Alabama, by Mobile Ship Repair and launched 21 May 1964. Placed in service 4 September 1964, Chief Boatswain's Mate Jerry R. Richter in command.

Operational history

Keokuk served in the Norfolk, Virginia, area as a tug and is currently in active service at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

References

External links