USS Helios (ARB-12) was one of twelve Aristaeus-class battle damage repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Helios (in Greek mythology, the sun-god, represented as driving a four-horse chariot through the heavens), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.
Originally laid down as LST-1127, the ship was launched on 14 February 1945 by the Chicago Bridge & Iron Company of Seneca, Illinois; sponsored by Mrs. Emery Adams; and commissioned on 26 February 1945.
The ship sailed down the Mississippi River and around to Baltimore where she decommissioned on 16 March 1945. She was then converted to a battle damage repair ship by the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore and renamed Helios. Recommissioned USS Helios (ARB-12) on 23 July 1945.
Service historyedit
She proceeded to Chesapeake Bay for her shakedown. Ordered to the Pacific, Helios sailed from Norfolk, Virginia on 27 August. By the time she reached Pearl Harbor on 29 September, the long war had come to its end and her services were no longer needed. Sailing on 11 October, she reached Charleston a month later and from there sailed to the Inactive Fleet Berthing Area at Green Cove Springs, Florida. Helios decommissioned there on 3 December 1946 and remained in reserve until leased to the government of Brazil on 19 January 1962 and renamed Belmonte (G-24).
The vessel was sold outright to Brazil via the Security Assistance Program on 1 December 1977 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 10 December 1977. Decommissioned by the Brazilian Navy on 7 June 1997, Belmonte was sunk as a target on 19 March 2002.
helios, twelve, aristaeus, class, battle, damage, repair, ships, built, united, states, navy, during, world, named, helios, greek, mythology, represented, driving, four, horse, chariot, through, heavens, only, naval, vessel, bear, name, history, united, states. USS Helios ARB 12 was one of twelve Aristaeus class battle damage repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II Named for Helios in Greek mythology the sun god represented as driving a four horse chariot through the heavens she was the only U S Naval vessel to bear the name History United States NameUSS Helios NamesakeHelios BuilderChicago Bridge amp Iron Company Seneca Illinois Laid down23 November 1944 Launched14 February 1945 Commissioned26 February 1945 Decommissioned3 December 1946 Stricken10 December 1977 FateTransferred to Brazil 19 January 1962 History Brazil NameBelmonte G24 Acquired19 January 1962 Decommissioned7 June 1997 FateSunk as a target 19 March 2002 General characteristics Class and typeAristaeus class battle damage repair ship Displacement1 781 long tons 1 810 t light 3 700 long tons 3 759 t full Length328 ft 100 m Beam50 ft 15 m Draft11 ft 2 in 3 40 m Propulsion2 General Motors 12 567 diesel engines two shafts twin rudders Speed12 knots 22 km h 14 mph Complement260 officers and enlisted men Armament2 40 mm guns 8 20 mm guns Originally laid down as LST 1127 the ship was launched on 14 February 1945 by the Chicago Bridge amp Iron Company of Seneca Illinois sponsored by Mrs Emery Adams and commissioned on 26 February 1945 The ship sailed down the Mississippi River and around to Baltimore where she decommissioned on 16 March 1945 She was then converted to a battle damage repair ship by the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore and renamed Helios Recommissioned USS Helios ARB 12 on 23 July 1945 Service history editShe proceeded to Chesapeake Bay for her shakedown Ordered to the Pacific Helios sailed from Norfolk Virginia on 27 August By the time she reached Pearl Harbor on 29 September the long war had come to its end and her services were no longer needed Sailing on 11 October she reached Charleston a month later and from there sailed to the Inactive Fleet Berthing Area at Green Cove Springs Florida Helios decommissioned there on 3 December 1946 and remained in reserve until leased to the government of Brazil on 19 January 1962 and renamed Belmonte G 24 The vessel was sold outright to Brazil via the Security Assistance Program on 1 December 1977 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 10 December 1977 Decommissioned by the Brazilian Navy on 7 June 1997 Belmonte was sunk as a target on 19 March 2002 References editThis article incorporates text from the public domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships The entry can be found here LST 1127 ARB 12 Helios Service Ship Photo Archive Retrieved 12 April 2007 nbsp This article about a specific ship or boat of the United States Armed Forces is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title USS Helios amp oldid 1190233912, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
