USS Tipton (AK-215)

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Name: Tipton
Namesake: Counties in Indiana and Tennessee
Ordered: as type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2169
Builder: Leatham D. Smith Shipbuilding Co., Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Laid down: 28 December 1944
Launched: 13 March 1945
Sponsored by: Mrs. W. F. Maister
Acquired: by the U.S. Navy, 7 September 1945
Commissioned: 9 October 1945 as USS Tipton (AK-215)
Decommissioned: 4 March 1946
Refit: 20 March 1946
Fate: transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard on 4 March 1946
General characteristics
Type: Alamosa-class cargo ship
Tonnage: 2,382 tons
Tons burthen: 7,435 tons
Length: 388' 8"
Beam: 50'
Draft: 21' 1"
Propulsion: Diesel, single screw, 1,700shp
Speed: 11.5 knots
Complement: 85 officers and enlisted
Armament: one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount; six 20mm guns

USS Tipton (AK-215) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship that was constructed for the U.S. Navy during the closing period of World War II. She was commissioned; however, the war ended and she was declared "excess to needs." She was then transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946.

Built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Tipton (AKA-215) was laid down under U.S. Maritime Commission Contract (MC hull 2169) on 28 December 1944 at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, by the Leathern D. Smith Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 13 March 1945; sponsored by Mrs. W. F. Maister; transferred to the Navy Department on 7 September 1945; and commissioned on 9 October 1945, Lt. Comdr. H. E. Gray, USCGR, in command.

World War II-related service

Upon commissioning, the cargo ship was transferred to the custody of the U.S. Coast Guard for maintenance and operation and was manned by a Coast Guard crew.

Post-war inactivation

Tipton was decommissioned and permanently transferred to the Coast Guard on 4 March 1946. She was struck from the Navy list on 20 March 1946.

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