The Territory and later the State of Alaska has played a very important role in the history of the U.S. Navy. In recognition of this role, the U.S. Navy has launched twenty-three (23) naval vessels bearing the name of Alaska or geographical locations and cities within Alaska. Four of these combatants proudly carried the name of U.S.S. Alaska. Currently, only one of these ships remain in the commission of the Navy, the U.S.S. Alaska (SSBN-732), a ballistic, nuclear powered submarine. In 2010, the U.S.S. Anchorage (LPD-23), will join the fleet as a amphibious transport docking ship. If you are Alaskan, you will recognize these names and a few will surprise you as it did me during my research.
U.S. NAVAL VESSELS NAMED IN HONOR OF ALASKA
U.S.S. Alaska
U.S.S. Alaska (No 3035)
U.S.S. Alaska (CB-1)
U.S.S. Alaska (SSBN-732)
U.S.S.Anchorage (LSD-36)
U.S.S.Anchorage (LPD-23) * Service 2010
U.S.S. Bering Sea (AVP-34)
U.S.S. Castle Rock (AVP-35)
U.S.S. Cook Inlet (AVP-36)
U.S.S. Great Sitkin (AE-17)
U.S.S. Juneau (CL-119)
U.S.S. Juneau (CL-52)
U.S.S. Kadashan Bay (CVE76)
U.S.S. Kamishak (AVP-44)
U.S.S. Mount katmai (AE-16)
U.S.S. Shelikof (AVP-52)
U.S.S. Sitka (APA-113)
U.S.S. Unimak (AVP-31)
U.S.S. West Alsek (ID-3119)
U.S.S. Wrangell (AE-12)
U.S.S. Yakutat (AVP-32)
USNS Yukon (T-AO-152)**
USNS Yukon (T-AO-202)**
(*Operated by Military Sealift Command and contracted to U.S. Navy)
The first naval vessel to carry the named of Alaska has quite a history, none of which I ever remember reading in the history books.
U.S.S. Alaska
U.S.S. Alaska (No 3035)
U.S.S. Alaska (CB-1)
U.S.S. Alaska (SSBN-732)
U.S.S.Anchorage (LSD-36)
U.S.S.Anchorage (LPD-23) * Service 2010
U.S.S. Bering Sea (AVP-34)
U.S.S. Castle Rock (AVP-35)
U.S.S. Cook Inlet (AVP-36)
U.S.S. Great Sitkin (AE-17)
U.S.S. Juneau (CL-119)
U.S.S. Juneau (CL-52)
U.S.S. Kadashan Bay (CVE76)
U.S.S. Kamishak (AVP-44)
U.S.S. Mount katmai (AE-16)
U.S.S. Shelikof (AVP-52)
U.S.S. Sitka (APA-113)
U.S.S. Unimak (AVP-31)
U.S.S. West Alsek (ID-3119)
U.S.S. Wrangell (AE-12)
U.S.S. Yakutat (AVP-32)
USNS Yukon (T-AO-152)**
USNS Yukon (T-AO-202)**
(*Operated by Military Sealift Command and contracted to U.S. Navy)
The first naval vessel to carry the named of Alaska has quite a history, none of which I ever remember reading in the history books.
The first naval vessel to carry the name of Alaska was a wooden hulled screw sloop of war, built at the Boston Navy Yard. The ship was launched on October 31, 1868. The area of Alaska was purchased the previous year, officially on October 18, 1867. The Alaska was placed into Commission as a Navy Man of War on December 8, 1869 with Commander Homer C. Blake in Command.
On April 9, 1870 she and the Colorado got underway from New York. The two ships soon parted company and the Alaska steamed independently to the Far East. In May 1871, the Alaska joined four other ships of the Asiatic Squadron in a visit to Korea to secure a treaty in order to open the "Hermit Kingdom" to the west.
The five ships departed Japan on May 16, 1871 and arrived at Roze Roads near the mouth of Salee River. Due to her deep draft, the Alaska was unable to ascend the river. Nevertheless, her Commanding Officer was placed in charge of the surveying expedition consisting of the sloops Palos, Monocacy, and some steam launches from the larger ships which did ascend the river.
The American vessels drew fire from a trio of Korean forts. Rear Admiral John Rogers decided upon punitive action to capture and destroy the forts in reprisal. Alaska's Commanding Officer Homer Blake took command, which was made up of 769 sailors and marines and seven 12-pounder howitzers. The navy ships, Palos and Monocacy provided distant, heavy support gun fire. The Navy force easily gained control of the first fort. The following morning, due to the heavy ordnance of Monocacy, the second fort fell to the Navy. The primary fort, was more difficult and had to be taken by hand to hand combat. Discipline and modern weapons triumphed over greatly superior numbers and by the end of the day all three forts belonged to the Americans. The following day the men of the task force reembarked in their ships to await the Korean government's response. By July 3rd it became apparent that the Korean government would make no official response to the action and that the treaty was not in the offing. The Alaska and her escorts got underway to resume their duties on the Asiatic station.
The Alaska departed Hong Kong bound for New York on October 28, 1872 and underwent a yard period until late 1873. The Alaska would operate in the Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea, making several cruises to each area. She returned to the United States and on October 5, 1876 she was decommissioned at New York.
In my research on some of these vessels, I have discovered that each of them have their own story. They have contributed greatly to our national history and security. The naval vessels named in honor of Alaska and the men that have manned them have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. It is sad that very few Alaskan's know the history or even the names of those ships that proudly carried the Alaskan names. I have decided to re-activate my blog site American Profiles and publish some of these stories, they deserve to be told.
On April 9, 1870 she and the Colorado got underway from New York. The two ships soon parted company and the Alaska steamed independently to the Far East. In May 1871, the Alaska joined four other ships of the Asiatic Squadron in a visit to Korea to secure a treaty in order to open the "Hermit Kingdom" to the west.
The five ships departed Japan on May 16, 1871 and arrived at Roze Roads near the mouth of Salee River. Due to her deep draft, the Alaska was unable to ascend the river. Nevertheless, her Commanding Officer was placed in charge of the surveying expedition consisting of the sloops Palos, Monocacy, and some steam launches from the larger ships which did ascend the river.
The American vessels drew fire from a trio of Korean forts. Rear Admiral John Rogers decided upon punitive action to capture and destroy the forts in reprisal. Alaska's Commanding Officer Homer Blake took command, which was made up of 769 sailors and marines and seven 12-pounder howitzers. The navy ships, Palos and Monocacy provided distant, heavy support gun fire. The Navy force easily gained control of the first fort. The following morning, due to the heavy ordnance of Monocacy, the second fort fell to the Navy. The primary fort, was more difficult and had to be taken by hand to hand combat. Discipline and modern weapons triumphed over greatly superior numbers and by the end of the day all three forts belonged to the Americans. The following day the men of the task force reembarked in their ships to await the Korean government's response. By July 3rd it became apparent that the Korean government would make no official response to the action and that the treaty was not in the offing. The Alaska and her escorts got underway to resume their duties on the Asiatic station.
The Alaska departed Hong Kong bound for New York on October 28, 1872 and underwent a yard period until late 1873. The Alaska would operate in the Caribbean Sea and Mediterranean Sea, making several cruises to each area. She returned to the United States and on October 5, 1876 she was decommissioned at New York.
In my research on some of these vessels, I have discovered that each of them have their own story. They have contributed greatly to our national history and security. The naval vessels named in honor of Alaska and the men that have manned them have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. It is sad that very few Alaskan's know the history or even the names of those ships that proudly carried the Alaskan names. I have decided to re-activate my blog site American Profiles and publish some of these stories, they deserve to be told.
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