From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

A former name retained.

(T-AF - 52: dp. 6,319 (lt.); l. 459'; b. 63'; dr. 26'; s. 15 k.; cpl. 64; a. none; T. C2-S-B1 (R) )

Golden Eagle (T-AF-52) was laid down under Maritime Commission contract 8 December 1941 by Moore Dry Dock Co., Oakland, Calif., launched 15 March 1942; sponsored by Mrs. John B. McKee, and delivered to WSA 23 April 1943. As a merchant ship, she operated under charter to United Fruit Co. from 1944 to 1946 and to United States Lines from 1947 to 1948. Transferred from the Maritime Commission, she was acquired by the Navy 1 March 1950 and assigned to MSTS.

Manned by a civilian crew, Golden Eagle operated out of New York, carrying supplies to American bases in the North Atlantic, Europe, and the Mediterranean. During November and December 1950 she deployed to the Mediterranean for provisioning operations, and during the first 6 months of 1951 she transported cargo to Bremerhaven and Liverpool. Following a second deployment to the Mediterranean, she departed New York 3 August for logistics duty off Thule, Greenland. Returning to New York 13 September, she resumed transatlantic service the 19th. While steaming to Liverpool 2 January 1952, she participated in the rescue of seamen from the stricken merchant ship Flying Dutchman.

Between 1952 and 1961 Golden Eagle maintained a constant schedule of runs to ports in Western Europe. Operating out of New York, Boston, Baltimore, and Norfolk, she steamed to Bremerhaven, Liverpool, and Rotterdam. During August and September of 1952 and 1953 she supplied ships participating in Operation "Blue Jay" at Thule, and cargo runs in the North Atlantic have sent her to Newfoundland, Iceland, and Baffin Island. In addition to provisioning and cargo duties, she carried sealed atomic wastes from Bremerhaven and disposed of the material in the mid-Atlantic while returning to the East Coast.

After returning to New York 10 August 1961, Golden Eagle entered New York Navy Yard 14 August. Renamed Arcturus 18 October, she commissioned 18 November, Captain M. B. Davis in command. After shakedown in the Caribbean, she departed her homeport, Norfolk, for the Mediterranean in June 1962. While deployed with the 6th Fleet, she provisioned 51 ships, both at sea and in Spanish and Italian ports. She returned to the Mediterranean in December; and between 1963 and 1965 she has deployed six times to replenish ships of the 6th Fleet.

When not operating in the Mediterranean, Arcturus has supported exercises in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. During February 1966 she provisioned ships during Operation "Springboard" in the Caribbean. After deploying to the Mediterranean in April, she steamed to the northwestern coast of Europe and touched ports in Holland, Germany, and Denmark during June. Two months later she departed Norfolk on her 10th deployment to the Mediterranean. At present she continues to support the mighty 6th Fleet and provides valuable aid for the continuing struggle to defend the cause of freedom in that troubled part of the world.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)