USS Tipton (AK-215)

Career (USA)
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.

References

• This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - AK-215 Tipton