USS Cape Gloucester (CVE 109)

- formerly WILLAPA BAY -
- decommissioned -
- later CVHE 109, later AKV 9 -

Sorry,
no coat of arms
available.

USS CAPE GLOUCESTER was one of the COMMENCEMENT BAY - class escort carriers. Initially named WILLAPA BAY, her name was changed to CAPE GLOUCESTER shortly afterwards, making her the first ship in the Navy named after Cape Gloucester, New Guinea, where the 7th Amphibious Force commanded by Rear Adm. Daniel E. Barbey successfully landed the 1st Marine Division under heavy enemy air attack on 26 November 1943.

Decommissioned on November 5, 1946, CAPE GLOUCESTER was reclassified to a helicopter escort aircraft carrier (CVHE 109) on June 12, 1955, and further reclassified to a cargo ship and aircraft ferry (AKV 9) on May 7, 1959. The ship was stricken from the Navy list on April 1, 1971, and sold for scrap.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: 1943
	Keel laid: January 10, 1944
	Launched: September 12, 1944
	Commissioned: March 5, 1945
	Decommissioned: November 5, 1946
	Builder: Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Tacoma, Wash.
	Propulsion system: four boilers, geared turbines
	Propellers: two
	Length: 557 feet (170 meters)
	Flight Deck Width: 105.3 feet (32.1 meters)
	Beam: 75 feet (23 meters)
	Draft: 30.8 feet (9.35 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 24,250 tons full load
	Speed: 19 knots
	Catapults: two
	Aircraft: 34 planes
	Armament: two 5-inch L/38 gun, 36 40mm guns, 20 20mm guns
	Crew: 1066

go to the end of the page

Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS CAPE GLOUCESTER. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

Click here to view the list.

go to the end of the page

Click here to see which USS CAPE GLOUCESTER memorabilia are currently for sale on ebay.

go to the end of the page

USS CAPE GLOUCESTER Cruise Books:

World War II Cruise Book 1945

go to the end of the page

History of USS CAPE GLOUCESTER:

USS CAPE GLOUCESTER was laid down as WILLAPA BAY on 10 January 1944, by Todd-Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, Wash.; renamed CAPE GLOUCESTER on 26 April 1944; launched on 12 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. R.M. Griffin; and commissioned on 5 March 1945, Capt. J.W. Harris in command.

The newly commissioned ship reported to the Pacific Fleet and after operational training at Pearl Harbor, T.H., CAPE GLOUCESTER arrived at Leyte in the Philippines on 29 June 1945, to join the Third Fleet. Her planes flew combat air patrol fighting off Japanese suicide planes attempting to attack minesweepers operating east of Okinawa (5-17 July). They then took part in air raids and photographic reconnaissance of shipping and airfields along the China coast until 7 August. During this time, her aircraft shot down several Japanese planes and aided in damaging a 700-ton cargo ship.

After a period covering minesweeping along the Japanese coasts and aiding in the recovery of Allied troops from prison camps on Kyushu, CAPE GLOUCESTER made four voyages returning servicemen from Okinawa and Pearl Harbor to the west coast. The escort carrier returned to Tacoma, Wash., 22 May 1946, and was placed out of commission in reserve there on 5 November 1946. Still in reserve, she was reclassified to a helicopter escort aircraft carrier (CVHE 109) on 12 June 1955, and further reclassified to a cargo ship and aircraft ferry (AKV 9) on 7 May 1959. The ship was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 April 1971, and sold for scrap.

CAPE GLOUCESTER received one battle star for her World War II service.

go to the end of the page

USS CAPE GLOUCESTER Image Gallery:

Back to Escort Carrier List.

Back to Ships List.

Back to selection page.

Back to 1^st page.