Echo (IX 95)
1942-1944
The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time she was acquired.
Echo, a scow of New Zealand registry built in 1892, was transferred to the U.S. Navy under Reverse Lend Lease from New Zealand; and, classifried as an auxiliary, miscellaneous (IX), IX-95, was commissioned on 4 November 1942, Ens. M. C. Riddle in command.
Sailing from Auckland, New Zealand, on 11 November 1942, Echo delivered cargo at Noumea, New Caledonia en route to Efate in the New Hebrides. Based on this island at Port Vila, she "served as a supply ship for the Army in the New Hebrides and adjoining island groups." On 14 February 1944, just prior to her departure for New Zealand, the Army awarded her crew a commendation. She arrived at Wellington on 12 March 1944, was decommissioned three days later and returned to the New Zealand Government.
Echo was stricken from the Navy Register on 25 March 1944.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
23 March 2022
