Daedalus (ARL-35)
1945-1947
In Greek mythology, an exiled Athenian who served in the courts of Minos and Kokalos, regarded as representative of artists and artisans of the later Minoan or Mykenaian age. Imprisoned by Minos, he made wings to escape.
(ARL-35: displacement 2,125; length 328'0"; beam 60'0"; draft 14'0"; speed 11.6 knots; complement 253; armament 1 3-inch, 8 40 millimeter, 6 20 millimeter; class Achelous)
Daedalus (ARL-35)--originally projected as the tank landing ship LST-1143--was laid down on 31 January 1945 at Seneca, Ill., by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Co.; launched on 27 April 1945; sponsored by Mrs. D. Steinmann; placed in partial commission on 9 May 1945; ferried to Mobile, Ala., where she was decommissioned on 21 May for conversion to a landing craft repair ship, during which time hostilities ceased; and commissioned in full on 19 October 1945, Lt. Roy E. Butler in command.
Daedalus departed Mobile on 3 December 1945 and arrived at Norfolk, Va., six days later. She provided repair services to the fleet at Norfolk, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Newport, R.I. until arriving at Charleston, S.C., on 1 July 1947 for overhaul. Later towed to Green Cove Springs, Fla., she was placed out of commission in reserve there on 23 October 1947.
After being stricken from the Navy List, ex-Daedalus was sold on 28 October 1960 to the Norfolk, Baltimore and Carolina Line, Inc., for merchant service. Renamed Virginia Clipper, she served under that house flag until the Venezuelan Thor Corporation purchased the vessel in 1978. Her ultimate fate is not recorded.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
24 April 2024
