USS Achernar

USS Achernar (AKA-53)
History
United States
NameUSS Achernar
NamesakeThe star Achernar in the constellation Eridanus
BuilderFederal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, NJ
Laid down6 September 1943
Launched3 December 1943
Commissioned31 January 1944
Decommissioned1 July 1963
FateTransferred to Spain; scrapped in 1982
General characteristics
Class and typeAndromeda-class attack cargo ship
Displacement14,200 tons
Length459 ft 2 in (139.95 m)
Beam63 ft (19 m)
Draft26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
Speed16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)
Complement429
Armament

USS Achernar (AKA-53) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship (a cargo ship designed to support amphibious warfare operations) of the United States Navy during World War II and after.

For the invasion of Normandy it was the command post of General Omar Bradley, commander of the US First Army.

She served as a commissioned ship for 19 years and 5 months.