USS Centaurus (AKA-17)
| History | |
|---|---|
| United States | |
| Name | USS Centaurus |
| Namesake | The constellation Centaurus |
| Builder | Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey |
| Launched | 3 September 1943 |
| Commissioned | 21 October 1943 |
| Decommissioned | 30 April 1946 |
| Honors & awards | 6 battle stars |
| Fate | Returned to the Maritime Commission, 11 September 1946 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type | Andromeda-class attack cargo ship |
| Displacement | 6,556 long tons (6,661 t) |
| Length | 459 ft 3 in (139.98 m) |
| Beam | 63 ft (19 m) |
| Draft | 26 ft 4 in (8.03 m) |
| Speed | 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Complement | 247 |
| Armament | 1 × 5"/38 caliber dual purpose gun |
USS Centaurus (AKA-17) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship named after the constellation Centaurus. She was one of a handful of World War II AKAs manned by officers and crew from the United States Coast Guard. She served as a commissioned ship for 2 years and 6 months.
Centaurus was launched on 3 September 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Wilson; acquired by the Navy 20 October 1943; and commissioned the next day.