USS Silica

USS Silica (IX-151), a Trefoil-class concrete barge designated an unclassified miscellaneous vessel, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for silica. Her keel was laid down as SS Bauxite (T. B7-D1, MC hull 1331) on 5 December 1943 by Barrett & Hilp, Belair Shipyard, San Francisco, California. She was launched on 31 December 1943 sponsored by Mrs. William O'Neill, and acquired by the Navy and commissioned on 8 June 1944.

History
United States
NameUSS Silica
BuilderBarrett & Hilp, Belair Shipyard, San Francisco, California
Laid down5 December 1943
Launched31 December 1943
Commissioned8 June 1944
Decommissioned30 November 1945
Stricken3 January 1946
FateWrecked by a typhoon, 9 October 1945
General characteristics
Class and typeTrefoil-class cargo barge
Displacement5,636 long tons (5,726 t)
Length366 ft 4 in (111.66 m)
Beam54 ft (16 m)
Draft26 ft (7.9 m)
PropulsionNone
SpeedNot self-propelled
Complement52 officers and men
Armament1 × 40 mm AA gun

Service history

World War II, 1944–45

Silica was acquired for use as a store ship to be used to provide general supplies at advance bases. She was assigned to Service Squadron 8, Service Force, Pacific Fleet. On 30 June, Gulf Star took her in tow at San Francisco and departed for Pearl Harbor, arriving on 13 July. Three days later, the barge was towed to Eniwetok. Megrez (AK-126) towed her from there to Ulithi where she remained from 16 October 1944 to 7 May 1945. Serrano (ATF-112) towed her to the Philippine Islands where she remained until August when she was towed to Okinawa.

Wrecked by a typhoon

Silica was driven aground in Buckner Bay on 9 October 1945 by Typhoon Louise. A Board of Inquiry found her damaged beyond economical repair and recommended that she be destroyed or sunk in deep water. Silica was decommissioned on 30 November 1945 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 3 January 1946.

References
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