The Coast Guard Manned USS Serpens, AK-97

Named after a constellation in the Northern Hemisphere.

Builder: California Shipbuilding Corporation, Wilmington California.

Class: Crater Cargo Ship, Maritime Commission Standard Type: EC-2 SC-1

Sponsored by Mrs. H. P. Needham

The hull was laid down, 10 March 1943 (MC hull 739)

Launched, 5 April 1943

Acquired by the Navy: 19 April 1943

Commissioned 28 May 1943 in San Diego;  Lt. Comdr. Magnus J. Johnson, USCGR, in command.

Ships Complement: 206

Length: 441' 6"

Beam: 56' 11"

Draft: 27' 7"

Displacement: 14,250 tons

Complement: 206

Top speed: 11 knots.

Reciprocating steam engine, single shaft, 2,500hp.

Armament: One 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount, two 40mm guns and six 20mm guns