About this Unit
USS Sirius (AF-60) was an Alstede-class stores ship commissioned by the United States Navy in 1957. Originally built as SS Trade Wind in 1944, she was acquired and renamed by the Navy to provide underway replenishment of food, refrigerated stores, and other supplies to fleet units at sea. During her service, USS Sirius supported U.S. naval operations across the Pacific, including deployments to the Far East during the Cold War era. She was decommissioned in 1965 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register, marking the end of her active naval service.
Historical Facts
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Origins: USS Sirius (AF-60) was originally built as SS Trade Wind in 1942 by Moore Dry Dock Company in Oakland, California, for the United States Maritime Commission.
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Acquisition by the Navy: The U.S. Navy acquired the ship on 18 May 1956, converted her to a stores ship, and renamed her USS Sirius (AF-60).
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Name Significance: Sirius is named after the brightest star in the night sky, continuing a U.S. Navy tradition of naming stores ships after celestial bodies.
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Service Role: As a stores ship, USS Sirius played a crucial logistics role, delivering refrigerated and dry provisions to fleet units at sea and at remote bases.
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Pacific Operations: After commissioning, Sirius operated primarily in the Pacific, supplying the U.S. 7th Fleet and supporting operations in the Far East, including Japan, Korea, and the Philippines.
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Korean War Support: Although commissioned after the Korean War, Sirius supported American forces stationed in South Korea during the tense post-armistice years.
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Crew Life: Life aboard Sirius was often described as demanding but rewarding, with crew members taking pride in their essential, though sometimes unsung, supply missions.
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Decommissioning: USS Sirius was decommissioned on 1 August 1965 after nearly a decade of service and was stricken from the Navy List on 1 September 1965.
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Final Fate: After decommissioning, the ship was returned to the Maritime Administration and eventually scrapped in 1971.
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Legacy: While not as famous as combat vessels, USS Sirius (AF-60) and her crew exemplified the vital logistical support that keeps naval operations running, earning respect within the Navy for their reliability and dedication.
