jgbyrd posted on February 16, 2012 13:32
Its service to subs was indispensable.
Built by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the submarine tender USS Holland (AS-3) was commissioned June 1, 1926, and served in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Holland displaced 8,100 tons and was 484 feet long with a draft of 16 feet nine inches. A total of 388 men served on board. With a top speed of 16 knots, the ship had eight, 5-inch and four, 3-inch gun mounts.
Holland departed PSNS April 24 and steamed to San Francisco to become flagship for submarines in the Pacific Battle Fleet. The ship transferred to San Diego where it began servicing submarines and made periodic voyages to Panama to service boats in the Canal Zone.
On Nov. 5, 1930, Holland became flagship for then Capt. Chester Nimitz, commander, Submarine Divisions, Battle Fleet.
Holland temporarily served as Submarine Force Flagship until June 1941 when it became flagship of Submarine Squadron 2.
Holland arrived at Cavite Naval Base in the Philippines Nov. 22, 1941, to service submarines of the Asiatic Fleet. Because of air raids in early December, the ship was rushed out of Manila Bay in the dark of night because her capabilities were deemed vital to the fleet.
Heading south, the ship escaped unscathed and after repairing a heavily damaged submarine at Soerabaja, Java, and picking up two escort destroyers, the ship sailed to Darwin, Australia, to commence submarine repair and pier construction.
The ship returned to Tjilaljap, Java, to remove Rear Adm. Charles Lockwood and his Asiatic Fleet Submarine Force Staff to Australia for safety. Later the tender was awarded the navy unit Commendation for its efforts during the early portion of World War II.
Holland returned stateside for an overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard in late February 1943. Back at Pearl Harbor in early June 1943, Holland completed 22 refits and 13 repairs jobs in one 11-month period.
Moving to Midway Atoll June 1, 1944, Holland sailed the following month for the Marianas until returning to Pearl Harbor where it was outfitted to be the headquarters for Vice Adm. James Lockwood, commander Submarine Force Pacific Fleet.
By the close of hostilities with Japan, Holland had completed 55 refits and provided repair and service to 20 surface craft and various jobs on shore installations.
Holland was then designated as a repair ship (ARG-18) as the ship’s value to the submarine force had diminished with newer and modern tenders entering the fleet.
After a number of alterations the ship sailed for Buckner Bay, Okinawa, and embarked Rear Adm. Allen Smith, commander, Service Squadron 10 and his staff before proceeding for Tokyo Bay where it took up anchorage Sept. 29, 1945.
Remaining in Tokyo Bay until June 6, 1946, Holland sailed for Pearl Harbor, and on to San Diego, arriving June 28. Shifting to San Pedro, Calif., for inactivation overhaul at the Terminal Island Navy Yard, Holland was towed to San Diego for decommissioning March 21, 1947.
The ship was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet until it was struck from the Navy list June 18, 1952 and sold for scrap Oct. 3. 1953 to Bethlehem Steel Co.
USS Holland (AS-3 and ARG-18) earned two battle stars and the Navy Unit Commendation in World War II.
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