LETTER FROM THE U.S.S. PRAIRIE Sojourners

Welcome to USSPRAIRIE.COM

A site dedicated to the US Navy Destroyer Tender USS PRAIRIE (AD-15)

The first USS Prairie (left), a 6620-ton auxiliary cruiser, was built in 1890 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a merchant steamer. Purchased by the Navy in April 1898, she served in the West Indies during the Spanish-American War. Post-war, she was employed as a training ship and transport. Converted to a destroyer tender in 1917, Prairie was designated AD-5 in 1920. She decommissioned in November 1922 and was sold in June 1923.

The second USS PRAIRIE, a destroyer tender, was laid down 7 December 1938 by New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden N.J.; launched 9 December 1939; sponsored by Mrs. Samuel M. Robinson; and commissioned 5 August 1940, Capt. J. B. W. Waller in command.

On Saturday , December 9th, 1939, the $11.5 million dollar destroyer tender USS PRAIRIE (AD-15) slid down the ways at the South Camden yards of the New York Shipbuilding Corporation. The wife of Rear Admiral Samuel M. Robinson, coordinator of Naval Shipbuilding and Engineer-in-Chief of the U.S. Navy, christened the ship. The Camden ways were so crowded with naval construction that only an invited group of 500 were admitted to the ceremonies. On neighboring ways were the battleship South Dakota, the repair ship Vulcan and two seaplane tenders, Curtis and Albermarle.

After a fitting-out and completion period that ran to August 5, 1940, the ship was delivered to Pier 5 East, Navy Yard, Philadelphia. At 3:30pm on that date, the USS PRAIRIE was placed into full commission, and Capt. John B. W. Waller was her first commanding officer. At this time, the war in Europe was well underway. Although Germany id not declare war on the United States until December, 1941, the U.S. Navy was increasingly involved in furnishing support to British convoys crossing the Atlantic, and PRAIRIE was part of this effort. At the time of America's entry into the war, PRAIRIE was on station in Argentia, Newfoundland, tending the U.S. fleet, as well as ships from Allied nations. CLICK HERE for the complete history.