ARL Flotilla Two - Naval Cruise Book

USS PROSERPINE THE USS PROSERPINE (ARL 21) was built by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Works at Seneca, Illinois and originally christened USS LST 1116 on January 9, 1945. She was converted to her present duties four short months later by the Gibbs Gas Engine Company at Jacksonville, Florida. After commissioning as a repair ship on 31 May 1945, the PROSERPINE did a tour of duty in the Philippine Islands and up > on returning to the United States was decommissioned at New Orleans, Louisiana on 18 January 1947. After spending three and one-half years in mothballs at Green Cove Springs, Florida, she was recommisisioned on 27 October 1950 and became a member of the U. S. At- lantic Fleet. The main function of the PROSERPINE and her crew is to keep in repair the ships of Landing Ship Flotilla Two which have been assigned to her. All hands aboard have shown the greatest willingness to work at any hour with the main idea being to get the job done in the best manner possible. The officers and men of the PROSERPINE were rewarded for their efforts when Vice Admiral Fahrion, Commander Amphibious Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, presented the PROSERPINE the Amphibious Force Battle Efficiency Award for 1952 as being the best of her type in the Amphibious Force of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet. In addition to her regular repair work the PROSERPINE has participated in Fleet maneuvers in the Caribbean Sea repairing damage that occurred during such exercises. Liberty calls have been made at St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Bermuda. Many members of the crew have taken an active part in the athletic program aboard. In the short time since recommissioning, the ship has won rwo Softball and one football championship. Come what may in the future, whether it be to repair some badly damaged ship on a fleet exercise or to replace a radio tube in a radio while at her pier in her home port, the PROSERPINE will always be ready as she has in the past.