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USS Ancon (AGC-4)

Please see below for item level images and donated collections containing photographs of USS Ancon (AGC-4). 

USS Ancon was launched on 24 September 1938 at Quincy Mass., by the Bethlehem Steel Co.; sponsored by Mrs Harry Woodring, wife of the Secretary of War; owned and operated by the Panama Railroad Co.; and placed in service on 22 June 1939 for cargo and passenger service between New York City, N.Y., and Cristobal, Panama Canal Zone.

The ship was taken over by the Army Transport Service on 11 January 1942. She made two voyages to Australia carrying American troops to bolster that continent's defenses before being acquired by the Navy on 7 August 1942 as Ancon (AP-66). She was placed in commission at the Boston Navy Yard as USS Ancon (AP-66) on 12 August 1942, Lt. Comdr. D. H. Swinson in command.

Following her commissioning, USS Ancon underwent a month's work at Boston being converted for naval service. On 12 September, she got underway for the Virginia capes and, upon her arrival at Norfolk, took on cargo and troops for transportation to Baltimore Md. The ship reached that port on 6 October and disembarked her passengers. She then conducted trials and exercises in the Chesapeake Bay. After pausing again at Norfolk to take on more troops and equipment, the ship left the east coast on 24 October, bound for North Africa as a member of Transport Division 9, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet. She was redesignated AGC-4 on 26 February with the conversion completed on 20 April 1943.

For a complete history of USS Ancon (AGC-4) please see its DANFS page.