USS Dorchester (LST-1112)

Evidence

12 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-12).

1. [1]research packet 627-packet.md [other_primary]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   uss-dorchester-lst1112-pkt-627-packet-md

2. [2]DANFS, Dorchester II (APB-46), Naval History and Heritage Command (live page verified 2026-10-02) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   DANFS entry, spec block and service narrative

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS Dorchester II (APB-46): 'The second Dorchester (APB-46) was launched 12 April 1945 by Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co., Evansville, Ind. sponsored by Mrs. J. A. Walsh; and commissioned 15 June 1945, Lieutenant W. T. Roberts, Jr., USNR, in command.' Spec block: 'APB-46: dp. 2,189; l. 328'; b. 50'; dr. 11'2"; s. 10 k.; cpl. 123; a. 8 40 mm.; cl. Benewah.' Service: sailed from New Orleans 5 August 1945, embarked troops at Pearl Harbor, delivered cargo and received passengers at Eniwetok and Guam en route to Japan; 'On 15 October she reported for service as barracks ship at Wakayama and at Kobe from 11 February 1946 to 4 March'; arrived San Francisco 9 April 1946; 'placed out of commission in reserve at Vancouver, Wash., 16 October 1946.' Namesake: counties in Maryland and South Carolina.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1946 (entry coverage)

   Population

   Missouri Valley B&I construction trades (1945); commissioning crew and embarked troops (1945-46)

   Limitations

   Ship-specific history only; no asbestos or material content. DANFS does not carry the LST-1112/AKS-17 designation sequence, the laid-down date, or post-1946 milestones - those come from other rows. Live NHHC page fetched successfully this session (unlike the standing 2026-09-14 NHHC 404 defect on Tier-0 entries).

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-01

3. [3]NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive, USS Dorchester (APB-46), 10/13/1346.htm (live page verified 2026-10-02) [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource 10/13/1346.htm designation block, APB specifications block, awards display, CO table, photo captions

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource designation/milestone timeline for this hull: 'Authorized as LST-1112; Redesignated General Stores Issue Ship named Dorchester (AKS-17), 8 December 1944; Redesignated Self-propelled Barracks Ship (APB-46)'; laid down (date not given) at Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co., Evansville IN; launched 12 April 1945; commissioned USS Dorchester (APB-46) 15 June 1945; assigned Asiatic-Pacific Theater WWII; 'assigned to Occupation service in Japan from 8 October 1945 to 4 March 1946'; decommissioned 16 October 1946 at Vancouver WA and laid up in reserve; struck from the Naval Register 1 June 1973; withdrawn from the Pacific Reserve Fleet 1 June 1974; 'Sold, 1 August 1974, to Pacific Fisheries, Inc., Vancouver, WA. for conversion to commercial service'; converted 1987 to fish processing vessel renamed Pacific Pride; sold circa 2002 to Trident Seafoods of Seattle renamed Alaska Packer; 'Current Disposition, active in Alaska fisheries.' APB spec block: disp. 4,000 t., 328', b. 50', dr. 11'2", 12 kts; complement 12 officers/125 enlisted; troop accommodation 28 officers/274 enlisted; two quad 40mm AA mounts plus twenty .50/.30-cal machine guns; fuel diesel 4,485 bbls; two GM 12-567A diesels, Falk reduction gears, five diesel-drive 100kW generators, twin rudders, twin propellers 1,600 shp. Awards: American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia clasp). Commanding officers listed 15 Jun 1945-16 Oct 1946. Photo captions include NHHC photo NH 78558 (April 1946).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-2023 (page content)

   Population

   Construction trades (1945); crew (1945-46); embarked occupation troops; reserve-fleet caretakers (1946-74)

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer secondary compilation, not a primary registry - milestone dates generally track NVR/DANFS but secondary sources conflict on the AKS-17 naming date (8 vs 14 Dec 1944), the APB-46 redesignation date (6 vs 31 Mar 1945), and the 1974 sale date (see gaps). Contains no asbestos content. 'Active in Alaska fisheries' is a compiler's disposition line, not a dated operational report.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-02

4. [4]Shipscribe.com, U.S. Navy Auxiliary Ships: BLACKFORD (APB-45) class data sheet (official-registry compilation; live page verified 2026-10-02) [other_primary]

   Locator

   APB45.html class header, construction table (APB-46 row), disposition table (APB-46 row), ship notes (APB-46)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Shipscribe BLACKFORD (APB-45) class page (Stephen S. Roberts, compiled from official registry/NVR data), construction and disposition rows for this hull: '46 | DORCHESTER | 14 Dec 44 | Mo. Valley B/I, Evansville | 5 Jan 45 | 12 Apr 45 | 15 Jun 45'; disposition: 'Decomm. 16 Oct 46 | Strike 1 Jun 73 | Disposal 10 Jul 74 | Sold.' Ship note: 'Ex AKS-17 31 Mar 45, ex LST-1112 14 Dec 44. Converted by builder. In reduced commission 9-15 Jun 45 for transit to New Orleans. In USN reserve 1946-73. To buyer 29 Aug 74.' Design line: 'Navy LST'; 2,189 t light / 4,080 lim.; 328.0' oa x 50.0' e x 11.2' lim.; 10 kts.; 'G.M. diesels 2 screws (1,800 HP in APB 45-48)'; original armament 2-40mmQ 6-20mmT (1945: all).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1974

   Population

   Construction trades (1945); crew (1945-46); reserve-fleet caretakers (1946-74)

   Limitations

   Registry-derived compilation, not the raw NVR - its 14 Dec 44 reclassification date conflicts with NavSource/NavalCoverMuseum's 8 Dec 1944 AKS-17 naming date, and its disposal line (10 Jul 74 disposal, 'to buyer 29 Aug 74') conflicts with NavSource's 1 Aug 1974 sale date (variants logged in gaps). Contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-03

5. [5]Shipscribe.com, BLACKFORD (APB-45) class notes [other_primary]

   Locator

   APB45.html 'Class Notes' paragraph

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Shipscribe class notes for the APB-45 group: FY 1944 landing-craft program; in August 1944 Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific began developing specifications to convert four LSTs under construction into 'mother ships' for YMS, PC, PCS, SC, LCI, and LCT types; CinCPac relayed the requirement to CNO, who approved. Built under LST contracts, the four hulls were reclassified Stores Issue Ships (AKS) in December before being laid down, 'but this designation failed to cover their mother ship as well as retail store roles and after much discussion they were reclassified APB's while still on the ways.' Accommodations for around 300 men in addition to ship's company, mostly in a new deckhouse extending from the stern to near the bow; 5-ton booms for resupplying other ships; pilot house moved forward late in design.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1945

   Population

   Design/conversion population at Missouri Valley B&I (1945)

   Limitations

   Class-level design/program history - explains the conversion scope (large berthing deckhouse, store-issue/mother-ship function) that drives the era-inference row ev-08. Does not name materials and contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-04

6. [6]NavalCoverMuseum, DORCHESTER APB 46 wiki page (designation history + postmark records; live page verified 2026-10-02) [other_primary]

   Locator

   Designation history block; postmarks table (Locy 9# 1945-08-06; Locy 2# 1946-02-07)

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NavalCoverMuseum designation history for this hull: 'Authorized as LST-1112; Redesignated General Stores Issue Ship (AKS) and named 8 December 1944; Keel Laid 5 January 1945; Redesignated Self-propelled Barracks Ship (APB) 6 March 1945; Launched 12 April 1945; Commissioned 15 June 1945 - Decommissioned 16 October 1946; Struck from Naval Register 1 June 1973; Sold 1 August 1974 to Pacific Fisheries, Inc., Vancouver, WA.' Postal record: Locy Type 9# postmark (Br. #15829) dated 6 August 1945 (Hoffner cachet cover) and Locy Type 2# postmark dated 7 February 1946 - independent documentary confirmation the ship was operating under the Dorchester (APB-46) designation in commission. Confirms 'Two ships of the US Navy have borne the name DORCHESTER - USS Dorchester SP-1509 and USS Dorchester APB-46.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1944-1974

   Population

   Crew (1945-46 postal activity)

   Limitations

   Philatelic museum compilation - designation dates and keel date corroborate Shipscribe's keel date but its 8 Dec 1944 AKS naming date and 6 Mar 1945 APB reclassification date conflict with Shipscribe's 14 Dec 44 and 31 Mar 45 effective dates (variants logged in gaps). Postmarks are physical artifacts establishing in-commission operation. Contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-05

7. [7]National Archives, Special List 44 - Named Vessels (logbooks index); NARA 'Navy Deck Logs Available in the National Archives Catalog' page [other_primary]

   Locator

   Special List 44 'D' table rows: 'Dorchester | (APB-46) | 6/15/1945 | 12/31/1945'; 'Dorchester | (SP-1509) | 10/1/1917 | 11/26/1918'

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   NARA Special List 44 (named-vessel Navy logbooks, RG 24) holds Dorchester (APB-46) deck logs covering 15 June 1945 - 31 December 1945 - the commissioning-through-war's-end window - alongside a separate series for the WWI sailing vessel Dorchester (SP-1509), 1 October 1917 - 26 November 1918. Dorchester (APB-46) does not appear on NARA's 'Navy Deck Logs Available in the National Archives Catalog' digitized list; the 1945 logs are a paper-reference holding at Archives II (College Park), and the post-1945 commissioned-period logs are outside the Special List 44 window.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1945 (logbook window)

   Population

   Crew and embarked troops reflected in the Jun-Dec 1945 logs

   Limitations

   Archival lead only: establishes that deck logs for this hull exist at NARA for Jun-Dec 1945, not their contents. The logs are not in the digitized-catalog list (checked 2026-10-02); Jan-Oct 1946 commissioned-period logs are a separate accession outside this index. No asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-06

8. [8]Nauticapedia vessel profile, 'Alaska Packer' (id 39013; references: Canada List of Shipping); NavSource 10/13/1346.htm merchant-service line; ShipSpotting IMO 8133059 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Nauticapedia id 39013 'Story' and 'Owners & Masters' blocks; NavSource merchant-service line; shipspotting.com/photos/1235093

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Commercial-registry record confirms the hull's survival: Nauticapedia lists 'Alaska Packer' as a stores ship 'built in 1944 by Missouri Valley Bridge & Iron Works Ltd. in Evansville, IN' with ownership chain United States Navy 1944-1946, held in reserve 1946-1974, Pacific Fisheries Inc. (Vancouver WA) 1974, Trident Seafoods (Seattle WA) 2002, citing Canada List of Shipping; IMO 8133059 (also carried on ShipSpotting and the vessel's Wikipedia infobox with MMSI 366808000, callsign WTH4389). NavSource names the intermediate identity F/V Pacific Pride (1987 conversion) and reports current disposition 'active in Alaska fisheries.'

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   context

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1974-2026

   Population

   Commercial conversion yard workers (1974 onward; 1987 fish-processor conversion); commercial crews (1974-present)

   Limitations

   Establishes chain of custody and that a wartime LST-hull survives in commercial service - relevant to any present-day material condition, which remains publicly undocumented. Nauticapedia's 'built 1944' reflects contract year (launched Apr 1945 per DANFS). 'Active in Alaska fisheries' is undated in the source; the last directly corroborated fleet-listing check is Feb 2008 (Wikipedia). Contains no asbestos content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-07

9. [9]Consolidated era inference - LST-1/491/542 design-series class profile (lst-1-class, ev-lst-1-class-03 applications list); Shipscribe APB-45 class notes (conversion scope); NavSource APB specifications (GM diesels); GAO HRD-80-2 era documentation [other_primary]

   Locator

   class-f lst-1-class.class.json ev-lst-1-class-03; shipscribe.com/usnaux/APB/APB45.html class notes; NavSource APB spec block

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   Era inference for this hull's material fit: an LST-542-series diesel-powered hull built Jan-Jun 1945 and converted by the builder into a self-propelled barracks ship with a berthing deckhouse for ~300 embarked men. Era-standard applications aboard diesel amphibious/auxiliary hulls of this period were diesel exhaust lagging and gaskets, engine-room thermal/acoustic insulation, deck coverings, bulkhead and accommodation-space insulation, winch and crane brake linings, valve packing, and electrical insulation. The APB conversion's added accommodation deckhouse increases the interior-insulation scope relative to a baseline LST. As a diesel ship she carried no steam plant - the boiler/turbine lagging pathway of steam vessels does not apply.

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-02

   Study period

   1945-2026

   Population

   Missouri Valley B&I construction/conversion trades (1945); crew (1945-46); embarked troops (~300 berthing capacity); reserve-fleet caretakers (1946-74); commercial conversion and fishing crews (1974-present)

   Limitations

   Class/era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material schedule, work package, or abatement record located for LST-1112/AKS-17/APB-46. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials. No quantity. Does not establish individual exposure, causation, present-day presence, or legal eligibility.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-08

10. [10]GAO, Navy Efforts To Protect Workers From Asbestos Exposure, HRD-80-2 (Oct 18, 1979) [gao]

    Locator

    GAO product page HRD-80-2 (full text blocked to automated fetch, HTTP 403; content via product-page description)

    Finding type

    gov_survey

    Finding

    GAO documented that the Navy used asbestos insulation extensively aboard ships and did not begin substituting alternative insulation materials until the early 1970s - spanning this hull's entire construction (Jan-Jun 1945) and commissioned-service era (1945-46), plus its reserve-fleet lay (1946-74) under which original-era material would typically remain in place absent disturbance (1975/1979 removal policies targeted damaged insulation or repair requirements).

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    context

    Documentation level

    class_or_era

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1979

    Population

    Navy shipyard workers; asbestos program review

    Limitations

    Program-level documentation; supports era context only, not any fact specific to this hull. Full text not retrieved (gao.gov blocks automated fetch, HTTP 403, confirmed standing defect since 2026-09-14) - content via product-page description.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-09

11. [11]Batch-6601 search ledger (this record): NHHC DANFS live; NavSource; Shipscribe; NARA Special List 44 + digitized-logs list; NavalCoverMuseum; Nauticapedia; GAO product page; CourtListener API v4 opinion/docket sweeps; secondary web sweep [other_primary]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-uss-dorchester-lst1112-01 through -16

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    Negative finding: no qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located - no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or qualifying litigation naming LST-1112 / AKS-17 / USS Dorchester (APB-46) in the public sources searched. CourtListener authenticated sweeps (2026-10-02): '"USS Dorchester"' opinions 0 results; '"APB-46"' opinions 0; '"LST-1112"' opinions 0; '"Dorchester" "barracks ship"' opinions 0; '"Dorchester" asbestos ship' opinions returned 14 hits, all Dorchester place-name collisions (Massachusetts/sites), none naming this vessel; '"USS Dorchester"' dockets returned 1 hit - an incidental creditor-list mention inside the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy (D. Del. 20-10343-LSS), a name collision, not litigation about the vessel. Secondary web sweeps surfaced only law-firm listicles asserting asbestos aboard - excluded by source policy.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    2026-10-02

    Limitations

    Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard. Coverage caveat: '"AKS-17"' opinion sweep and hull-designation docket sweeps were not completed when fleet pacing budget spent; logged in search_ledger and gaps. NARA 1945 deck logs undigitized - contents unexamined. Reserve-fleet and commercial-conversion (1974/1987) hazmat records not located. Does not establish or defeat any claim of exposure or legal eligibility.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-10

12. [12]DANFS, Dorchester I (S.P. 1509): 'The first Dorchester, sailing vessel, served in the 5th Naval District during 1917-18' (NHHC live page); Shipscribe APB-45 ship note for designation sequence ('ex LST-1112 14 Dec 44'); USAT Dorchester loss per Army historical record [nhhc_danfs]

    Locator

    DANFS Dorchester I entry; Shipscribe APB45.html APB-46 ship note

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    CORRECTION / disambiguation: three distinct vessels named Dorchester circulate in secondary material. (1) This hull - authorized LST-1112, AKS-17 Dec 1944, APB-46 Mar 1945, one of four BLACKFORD-group LST-contract conversions. (2) USS Dorchester (SP-1509), a WWI sailing vessel that 'served in the 5th Naval District during 1917-18' (DANFS Dorchester I) - a wholly different hull. (3) USAT Dorchester, the Army transport (ex-SS Dorchester passenger liner) sunk 3 February 1943 in the Four Chaplains loss - a U.S. Army Transport, never a USS, frequently conflated with this ship in web material. Additionally: this hull never served under its authorized LST-1112 designation - it was reclassified AKS-17 before laying down and APB-46 on the ways, so 'USS LST-1112' was never a commissioned identity.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    correction

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-02

    Study period

    1917-1945 (naming/designation window)

    Limitations

    Corrects name/designation collisions, not a material claim. USAT Dorchester (Four Chaplains, sunk 3 Feb 1943) is attested across Army historical literature - cited here as context only; no asbestos content anywhere in this row.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-dorchester-lst1112-11