Ajax (AR 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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HISTORY OF THE AJAX USS AJAX (AR-6) is the fourth vessel to bear the name of the famous Creek hero of Homer ' s Iliad. The first AJAX was an Ironclad steamer of the famous Monitor class. She was commissioned as the AJAX in 1869 and served with the North Atlantic Squadron intermittently until 1878. From that time, until being decommissioned in 1898. she served on the James River a gun patrol boat. The third vessel, commissioned in 1918 retained the name AJAX for only four days before she was renamed the ROCKPORT. The second vessel, USS AJAX (AC-14) served from 1901 until 1925 as a fleet collier and later as an Aircraft Squadron Tender. In 1908 she made the goodwill cruise with the Battle Fleet around the world. Repair Ships Urgently Needed While it is true that each ship has in its own force a group wno are capable of con- ducting certain maintenance operations and make emergency repairs, the extent of these repairs must of necessity be limited. I augment the ship ' s force and to take care of major items of repair, the Navy employs a group of vessels known as repair ships. Typical of the modern repair ships are the U.S.S. AJAX, HECTOR and JASON, now under construction in our Yard. I he presence of these ship in close proximity to the scene of actual battle is absolutely essential if we are to continue to exert the same daring and forceful display of naval strength which has marked our early activi- ties. Repair ships are a vital necessity — NOW! Article taken from ' The Shipbuilder May 1943 issue.

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fcDICATIO ikl In memory of E7VF V Edson a p shipmate and friend who will be missed by all onboard the A J AX. I I A

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I fan The fourth and present AJAX (AR-6) is the second of the VULCAN class fleet of Repair Ships. In her beginning AJAX had 18 officers and 700 men in her Repair Department along with an estimated crew of 2,500 for those were days of hot bunking, hammocks, and sleeping where one worked. Since 1943, well over 20.000 men have served aboard the AJAX. Laying of AJAX ' S keel. 7 May 1941. by the Los Angeles Ship Building and Drydock Corporation at San Pedro. California. s anil loys i re the Tin limit? iluttlt rtffl active %ot : ii ' H : -.■■ Vm.y.-.n ' .i- r l«n I)rp irli £u rpuratmn , coroiallg inbitte [im to be ymtnt at Op [aiming at tip It. S. £. Ajnx for tlj» llnitrh Stntfi Naiij daluroaQ. Aiiou ! 22, 1912 6:30 p. tn San Jlrtro. Ca I.MIII.1 P ™.p, m» 3. «. ■ Nm i r ■ ■ i » UN V - : i T ' -» «H . ■ ; ' ,- ■ ■ : v r -| t a - The OSS W IX 15 launched on 22 Aug.. 1942. San Pedro. Ca.