USS Pollux (AKS-2)

USS Pollux (AKS-2)

USS "Pollux" (AKS-2) was a "Castor"-class general stores issue ship, the second United States Navy ship named after the star Pollux.

"Pollux" was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Hoboken, N.J. as SS "Comet" 26 May 1939; launched 16 December 1939, acquired by the Navy 16 January 1941; converted to a general stores ship by the Brewers Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Hoboken, N.J., and commissioned 6 May 1941, Comdr. Hugh W. Turney in command.

Pollux was ready for sea 24 May 1941, and served with the Atlantic Fleet on regular provisioning cruises.

On 18 February 1942 "Pollux" grounded during a storm at Lawn Point off St. Lawrence Harbor, Newfoundland, and was wrecked with 93 fatalities. USS "Truxtun" (DD-229) was also wrecked, at Chambers Cove, with 110 fatalities. "USS Wilkes" (DD-441) grounded at the same time, but made way with no fatalities.

At 04:14 on the 18th, searchlights were sighted revealing land 2 points on the port bow. The Commanding Officer of "Pollux" had just entered the bridge from the chart house, and immediately gave the order for full speed astern, hard right rudder and sounding collision quarters. But it was too late and 3 minutes later the ship grounded. Realizing that she was hard aground and starting to go down slightly by the head, the Commanding Officer ordered full speed ahead to prevent the ship from sliding off and sinking in deep water.

Due to the extremely difficult surf caused by the gale raging in the Atlantic and the bitterness of the winter weather loss of life was heavy on both vessels. Heroic efforts to swim lines ashore failed due to the inability to handle them when they became oil soaked. Some of the crew attempted to swim ashore, many unsuccessfully. Finally lines with a boatswain's chair were rigged to a ledge and the remaining personnel were conveyed ashore. "Truxtun" broke up almost immediately after grounding and soon thereafter "Pollux" did likewise. The survivors owed their rescue in large measure to the tireless, efficient and in many cases heroic action of the people of St. Lawrence, Newfoundland.

"Pollux" was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 25 March 1942.

External links

* [http://www.usspollux.com Unofficial website for the USS "Pollux" (AKS-2) and USS "Pollux" (AKS-4)]


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