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Welcome to USSPRAIRIE.COM
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2008 REUNION! Our reunion for 2008 will be held in Saratoga Springs, NY from 28 September to 1 October, 2008. Anyone interested please email mpelton613@alltel.net, and respond early so we can get the newsletter out before the end of the year. Former shipmates are also welcome to send items with the Prairie's logo on them. These will be used for a ship's store at the reunion. Thanks!
If you are interested in searching for USS Prairie memorabilia that may be available online through eBay, click the following links: The USS Prairie website is not responsible for items sold through eBay - we merely offer this service as a benefit to our visitors and fellow crewmembers. In 1962 my father-in-law, RADM Frank Virden, was COMCRUDESPAC and Prairie was his flagship. My son was born that year and he was Baptized on board the Prairie in San Diego harbor. You can understand, therefore, my wife's and my affection for the ship. I later had the opportunity to serve as Flag Lt. to COMDESFLOT One in Yokosuka, Japan, and for a time USS Prairie was also our flagship there. Captain Kenneth Brown was the Commanding Officer. There was a painting of Prairie at bouy in San Diego harbor that was very much like the day our son was baptized. We were able to obtain a color print of that painting, and when our son was grown and married we had it framed and presented it to him. Some years later their home burned as did the painting. I have been looking for a copy ever since, to no avail I was wondering if anyone in the Prairie family might have knowledge of it or know where a copy could by obtained. I believe the painting was done by Arthur Beaumont, but I haven't found it in a list of his paintings. I have also gone to The Naval Institute looking for it (I think that is where I originally obtained the print originally. I wonder if anyone can help. Thank you. Robert S. Malone. CDR USN (ret). P.O. Box 979, Gulf Shores, AL 36547
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A site dedicated to the US Navy Destroyer Tender USS PRAIRIE (AD-15)
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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.
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NAMES MAY FADE - BUT FACES DON'T!
Submit your photos for our Crewmember Galleries! Email us with your pics! Help your shipmates find you! Send in a headshot from your days aboard the Prairie!! |
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SIGN THE GUESTBOOK TO SHOW FELLOW SHIPMATES YOU'VE BEEN HERE |
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE STORIES ABOUT YOUR DAYS ABOARD HERE
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SIGN THE GUEST LOG... and you just may hear from an old sea buddy! |
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Last Update 27 April 2007 08:21:04 Website design & maintenance 9august! |
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