About this Unit
USS Alstede (AF-48) was an Alstede-class stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1946. Built during the final months of World War II, her primary mission was to transport refrigerated stores and dry provisions to fleet units at sea and remote stations. Throughout her service, Alstede operated in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and later in the Pacific, supporting U.S. naval operations during the Korean War and Cold War. She was decommissioned in 1969, concluding over two decades of vital logistical support to the fleet.
Historical Facts
• USS Alstede (AF-48) was an Alstede-class stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy after World War II, serving as a vital supply vessel for naval fleets.
• The ship was originally launched as SS Matchless in 1945 by Pennsylvania Shipyards, Beaumont, Texas, and acquired by the Navy in 1946.
• USS Alstede was named after Alstede, New Jersey, following the Navy tradition of naming store ships after small towns.
• After her commissioning, Alstede operated primarily in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, supplying food, refrigerated stores, and equipment to the U.S. 6th Fleet and other units.
• During the Korean War, Alstede was deployed to the Pacific, playing a crucial role in replenishing U.S. and allied forces at sea, ensuring sustained naval operations.
• Alstede participated in several NATO exercises in the 1950s and 1960s, demonstrating the U.S. Navy’s logistical capabilities and international cooperation during the early Cold War.
• One notable incident occurred in 1953 when Alstede assisted in rescuing crew members from a burning merchant vessel in the Mediterranean, showcasing her crew’s bravery and seamanship.
• The ship was equipped with advanced refrigeration systems for her era, allowing her to transport perishable goods to fleets far from home ports, a critical advancement in naval logistics.
• Alstede was decommissioned in 1969 after over two decades of service, and eventually sold for scrap, marking the end of her distinguished naval career.
• Her legacy lives on as a testament to the vital but often unsung role of auxiliary ships in maintaining the operational readiness and effectiveness of the U.S. Navy across the globe.
