USS Sarpedon (ARB-7)

USS Sarpedon (ARB-7)

USS Sarpedon (ARB-7) was one of twelve Aristaeus-class battle damage repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Sarpedon (in Greek mythology, a Lycian King, and a son of Zeus and Laodamia), and also she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally laid down as LST-956 on 11 July 1944 by the Bethlehem Steel Company in Hingham, Massachusetts; reclassified as a battle damage repair ship on 14 August 1944; launched on 21 August 1944; commissioned on 16 November 1944 with Lieutenant (j.g.) J. B. Shaum in command, for transit to the conversion yard; decommissioned on 29 November 1944 for conversion by the Maryland Drydock Company of Baltimore, Maryland; and recommissioned on 19 March 1945 with Lieutenant W. H. Farrar in command.