USS Centaurus (AKA-17)

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History
United States
Name	USS Centaurus
Namesake	The constellation Centaurus
Builder	Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey
Launched	3 September 1943
Commissioned	21 October 1943
Decommissioned	30 April 1946
Honors and awards	6 battle stars
Fate	Returned to the Maritime Commission, 11 September 1946
General characteristics
Class and type	Andromeda-class attack cargo ship
Displacement	6,556 long tons (6,661 t)
Length	459 ft 3 in (139.98 m)
Beam	63 ft (19 m)
Draft	26 ft 4 in (8.03 m)
Speed	16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement	247
Armament	1 × 5"/38 caliber dual purpose gun

USS Centaurus (AKA-17) was an Andromeda-class attack cargo ship named after the constellation Centaurus. She was one of a handful of World War II AKAs manned by officers and crew from the United States Coast Guard. She served as a commissioned ship for 2 years and 6 months.

Centaurus was launched on 3 September 1943 by Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Kearny, New Jersey, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Wilson; acquired by the Navy 20 October 1943; and commissioned the next day.