USS Cadmus (AR-14)

• Namesake: USS Cadmus (AR-14) was named after Cadmus, a figure from Greek mythology credited with bringing the alphabet to Greece, symbolizing knowledge and support—apt for a repair ship. • Class and Type: She was the lead ship of the Cadmus-class of repair ships, designed to provide maintenance, repair, and logistical support to the fleet. • Launched in 1945: USS Cadmus was launched on 5 May 1945 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Tampa, Florida, just as World War II was ending. • Commissioned Post-War: Although launched during WWII, Cadmus was not commissioned until 23 April 1946, after the war had ended. • Home Port: Her initial home port was Norfolk, Virginia, where she provided critical repair services to Atlantic Fleet vessels. • Support in the Mediterranean: In the 1950s and 1960s, USS Cadmus regularly deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, supporting the U.S. Sixth Fleet and NATO allies. • Cuban Missile Crisis: During the Cuban Missile Crisis in October 1962, Cadmus was on heightened alert and provided essential repair services to ships operating off Cuba. • Versatile Repairs: The ship was equipped to repair a wide range of vessels, from destroyers to submarines, and could handle everything from engine overhauls to electronic equipment fixes. • Decommissioned in 1971: After 25 years of service, USS Cadmus was decommissioned on 14 September 1971 and later struck from the Naval Vessel Register. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, Cadmus was sold for scrap in 1974, ending her career as a vital support asset for the U.S. Navy.