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Robert E. Peary III (T-AKE-5)

2008-

Robert Edwin Peary (6 May 1856-20 February 1920).

The first Robert E. Peary (DE-132) was an Edsall (DE-129) class destroyer escort that served from 31 May 1943-1 July 1966; the second Robert E. Peary (DE-1073) was a Knox (DE-1052) class escort ship that served from 23 September 1972-11 November 1995.

A fourth ship named in honor of the Arctic explorer was actually the first ship named for him. Peary (DD-226) was a Clemson (DD-186) class destroyer (22 October 1920-sunk during the Japanese attack on Darwin, Australia, on 19 February 1942, and stricken from the Navy List on 8 May 1942).

III

(T-AKE-5: displacement 42,528; length 689'; beam 106'; draft 30'; speed 20 knots; complement 197; armament up to 6 .50 caliber or 7.62 millimeter machine guns, aircraft 2 Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawks or 2 Eurocopter (Aérospatiale) AS332 Super Pumas; class Lewis and Clark)

Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) was laid down on 11 December 2006 at San Diego, Calif., by General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 27 October 2007; sponsored by Judge Peary S. Fowler, 16th Judicial Circuit Bench, Monroe County, Fla., Rear Adm. Peary’s great-granddaughter; and was placed in service with the Military Sealift Command on 5 June 2008.

Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) III 2008-Seal

Shield

Dark blue and gold represent the Navy; grey (Gris) symbolizes the harrowing conditions encountered in an expedition to the wastelands around the North Pole. The Pole Star represents the goal of the Peary expedition. Celeste blue symbolizes the oceans beneath the ice crossed by the explorers. The gold plumb denotes the determination of ocean depths to indicate the proximity to the North Pole as the explorers approached it. The anchor represents the Navy and refers also to Peary’s ship, steamer Roosevelt, which transported the expedition to the starting point of the journey over the ice. Argent (white) signifies high goals and aspirations, gold denotes excellence.

Crest

Peary’s lead dog appears against a gold demi-disc which alludes to the “land of the midnight sun.” The single gold star represents the battle star awarded destroyer Peary (DD-226) for her service during World War II. The three tines of the trident represent that ship and recall the two other vessels to bear the name.

Motto

“King of the Team.” Robert E. Peary’s favorite dog, the lead dog, was named King. The intrepid explorer also gave the animal the Inuit name Nalegaksoah, which means “King of the Team.” The polestar (North Star) was also known in antiquity as “the dog-tailed one”.

Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) III 2008-
Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) passes Point Loma, San Diego, Calif., as she sails to supply the Pacific Fleet. (Undated U.S. Navy Photograph, Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5), Military Sealift Command)

Detailed history under construction.

Mark L. Evans

16 May 2014

Published: Mon Aug 31 10:14:16 EDT 2015