USS Richland (AK-207) was an that was constructed for the US Navy during the closing period of World War II. She served in the Pacific Ocean theatre of operations and returned home in 1946, where she was placed into the reserve "mothball" fleet until scrapped in 1972.
Construction
The first ship to be so named by the navy, Richland, built under US Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 2161, was laid down 15 January 1944, by Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; launched 5 August 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Warren G. Brown. Richland completed her sea trials off Chicago, Illinois, on 8 November 1944. Acquired from MARCOM on a loan-charter basis 17 April 1945, at Port Houston Iron Works, Texas, Richland underwent concurrent completion and conversion, with the final work being performed at Brown's Shipyard, Houston, where she was commissioned on 22 April 1945.
Service history
Transit the Panama Canal
Following shakedown, and after what her commanding officer called an "uneventful cruise" to Gulfport, Mississippi, Richland loaded cargo, steel for the construction of 40 two-story huts and a 'tween deck cargo of /38 caliber gun and 40 mm Bofors gun mounts, at the Naval Supply Depot, Gulfport. She completed the loading process mid-way through the first watch on 2 June 1945, then stood out to sea mid-way through the first dog watch the following day. She made landfall off Cape San Antonio, Cuba, during the morning watch on the 6th, then continued on for Panama for onward routing. She began "bucking a fairly heavy sea" the following day, then encountered squally weather on the 8th. Although Richland's commanding officer noted that the ship was "taking [the rough weather] nicely," he observed candidly: "Not enough ship for the money, not enough power for the ship and about crew enough for a one shore based desk. All hands and the ship's cook getting sea sick and each casualty leaves one detail with two men on a twenty four hour basis."
Richland reached Coco Solo, Canal Zone (C.Z.), at 0800 on 10 June 1945, standing in at daylight, mooring alongside Pier 1-C, and reported to Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, for duty. The following day, 11 June, with a local pilot embarked, the ship transited the Panama Canal, sailing on orders from the Port Director, Balboa, C.Z., to proceed to Leyte Gulf, in the Philippine Islands, and there report to Commander, Seventh Fleet, for duty with Service Squadron (ServRon) Nine.
Pacific Theater duty
As Richland sailed toward the Philippines, her war diary noted her course, with her commanding officer interjecting comments on the ship's routine. Lt. Hills lectured his crew on "battle and blackout security," on 15 June 1945; three days later, he wrote of Richlands starboard side 20 mm guns using a burst as a target, and that drills that day concerned "battle damage and gun stripping, cleaning, and repairing." On 20 June, Richland conducted "extensive fire and G.Q. [general quarters] drills including firing of port side 20 mm guns on burst from 3-inch. Three – 3-inch bursts "on target"." That same day, the commanding officer wrote approvingly: "Lt. Robert H. Boulware, USNR, has developed into an exceptional navigator." Battle practice on 22 June found the ship shooting well, with a boatswain's mate as gun captain and the Richlands gunnery officer spotting from the bridge. The following day, 23 June, the ship's commanding officer wrote that his "routine inspection shows personnel well on [the] upgrade." On 25 June, Hills described his command's seakeeping qualities: "Built like a square rigger, she proves her shape by doing plus with a fair wind. Also rolls 35º with a Moderate Breeze under her quarter…"
Richland continued her passage toward the Philippine Islands as June 1945 ended and July began. Two west-bound Liberty ships, MARCOM EC-2 type freighters, overtook her and passed her on 2 July. On Independence Day, 4 July, piping in the salt water cooling system failed, resulting in lube oil in the main generators, an investigation revealing that iron pipe had been threaded into brass fixtures. Richlands crew showed their ingenuity in "robbing" Mount 21, 20 mmm gun, of its cooling well to provide a section of pipe since the ship's allowance list did not contain any spares.