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History
United States
Name	LSM–275 (1944—1953) Portunus (1953—1959)
Laid down	1 August 1944
Launched	11 September 1944
Commissioned	6 October 1944
Decommissioned	30 April 1959
Stricken	1 May 1959
Fate	Transferred to Portugal, 16 November 1959.
Portugal
Name	Medusa (1959—1969) São Rafael (1969—1976)
Acquired	16 November 1959
Renamed	July 1969
Reclassified	"Albacora" class submarine support ship July 1969
Fate	disarmed, disposed of 1976
General characteristics
Class and type	LSM-1-class landing ship medium
Displacement	1,095 tons (f.)
Length	203 ft 6 in (62.03 m)
Beam	34 ft 6 in (10.52 m)
Draft	7 ft 4 in (2.24 m)
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement	59
Armament	1 × 40 mm gun 4 × 20 mm guns

USS Portunus (ARC-1) was an LSM-1-class landing ship medium acquired by the U.S. Navy for use during World War II as a landing craft for troops, and later, as a cable repair ship.

On 16 November 1959, the ship was transferred to Portugal to become the NRP Medusa until modified during 1964 into a Marine Support Ship and assigned to the Guinea-Bissau Maritime Defense Command. In July 1969, the ship was renamed São Rafael and redesignated as an Albacora-class submarine support ship. São Rafael was disarmed and disposed of in 1976.

U.S. Navy

Portunus was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Kearny, New Jersey, as LSM–275 1 August 1944; launched 11 September 1944; and commissioned 6 October 1944.

World War II

After shakedown off Norfolk, Virginia, LSM–275 steamed for Key West, Florida, the Panama Canal, and San Diego, California, before reaching Pearl Harbor on 28 January 1945.

After a trip to Guam, she steamed from Pearl Harbor in task unit TU 51.13.4 via Eniwetok and Saipan to Okinawa to land troops and supplies on the "last stepping stone" to Japan. Departing in TU 51.29.22, 25 April while the battle for Okinawa was still going on, she steamed via Saipan to Ulithi, arriving 5 May. Departing 28 June, she then put into Tulagi, the Russells, Eniwetok, Guam, and Saipan, before reaching Pearl Harbor 19 August, 5 days after the war's end.

On 4 December, she departed Pearl Harbor for San Diego. She steamed between San Diego, San Pedro, and San Francisco during the first half of 1946, then reported to Com 19th Fleet at San Diego 18 September, underwent inactivation overhaul, and decommissioned 21 April 1947 at San Pedro.

Recommissioned as a cable-laying ship

Ordered activated in 1951, LSM–275 was redesignated as a cable-laying and repair ship ARC–1 on 14 December, and recommissioned 2 July 1952. She operated off California ports for the next 11 months, then, on 1 June 1953, got underway for the U.S. East Coast. The ship was named Portunus 13 July 1953. Attached to the 3rd Naval District, she laid cable off Cape May, New Jersey, and off Bermuda before conducting ocean-bottom surveys and cable operations off Colombia's Atlantic and Pacific coasts, 13 October to 31 October.

Returning to New York City, Portunus underwent overhaul, and on 8 March 1954, resumed cable operations, first in the approaches to New York, off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, then off Bermuda. From 1955 to 1959, she continued to lay cable, off Key West, Sandy Hook, Bermuda, Wood Island, Maine, and Nantucket Island, and in the Narragansett area, and off Little Creek, Virginia. During this time, she continued to base at the New York Shipyard, Brooklyn, and to periodically pick up cable at Newington, New Hampshire.

Decommissioning

She was decommissioned at New York City on 30 April 1959, and her name was struck from the Navy List on 1 May 1959. Portunus earned one battle star for World War II service.

Portuguese Navy

The cable-repair vessel was transferred to Portugal under the Military Assistance Program, with delivery on 16 November 1959. The ship was commissioned in the Portuguese Navy 18 November 1959 as Medusa with designation A 5214. On 24 September 1964, the ship was transferred to the Arsenal do Alfeite to be modified into a marine support ship. After modification, she was assigned to the Guinea-Bissau Maritime Defense Command. In July 1969, the ship was renamed São Rafael and reclassified as an Albacora-class submarine support ship. The ship was disarmed and disposed of by the Portuguese Navy in 1976.

References

1. ^ Naval History And Heritage Command (24 August 2015). "Portunus II (ARC-1)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History And Heritage Command. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
2. Priolo, Gary P. (16 April 2021). "USS Portunus (ARC-1)". NavSource Online. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
3. "USS Portunus ARC-1" (PDF). USS AEOLUS Newsletter (Winter 2013-2014). Vol. 8, no. 17. USS AEOLUS Association. 2014. p. 6. Retrieved 20 May 2021.

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

External links

• Photo gallery of Portunus at NavSource Naval History

v t e LSM-1-class landing ships medium
LSM-1 – LSM-99 LSM-1 LSM-2 LSM-3 LSM-4 LSM-5 LSM-6 LSM-7 LSM-8 LSM-9 LSM-10 LSM-11 LSM-12 LSM-13 LSM-14 LSM-15 LSM-16 LSM-17 LSM-18 LSM-19 LSM-20 LSM-21 LSM-22 LSM-23 LSM-24 LSM-25 LSM-26 LSM-27 LSM-28 LSM-29 LSM-30 LSM-31 LSM-32 LSM-33 LSM-34 LSM-35 LSM-36 LSM-37 LSM-38 LSM-39 LSM-40 LSM-41 LSM-42 LSM-43 LSM-44 LSM-45 LSM-46 LSM-47 LSM-48 LSM-49 LSM-50 LSM-51 LSM-52 LSM-53 LSM-54 LSM-55 LSM-56 LSM-57 LSM-58 LSM-59 LSM-60 LSM-61 LSM-62 LSM-63 LSM-64 LSM-65 LSM-66 LSM-67 LSM-68 LSM-69 LSM-70 LSM-71 LSM-72 LSM-73 LSM-74 LSM-75 LSM-76 LSM-77 LSM-78 LSM-79 LSM-80 LSM-81 LSM-82 LSM-83 LSM-84 LSM-85 LSM-86 LSM-87 LSM-88 LSM-89 LSM-90 LSM-91 LSM-92 LSM-93 LSM-94 LSM-95 LSM-96 LSM-97 LSM-98 LSM-99
LSM-100 – LSM-187 LSM-100 LSM-101 LSM-102 LSM-103 LSM-104 LSM-105 LSM-106 LSM-107 LSM-108 LSM-109 LSM-110 LSM-111 LSM-112 LSM-113 LSM-114 LSM-115 LSM-116 LSM-117 LSM-118 LSM-119 LSM-120 LSM-121 LSM-122 LSM-123 LSM-124 LSM-125 LSM-126 LSM-127 LSM-128 LSM-129 LSM-130 LSM-131 LSM-132 LSM-133 LSM-134 LSM-135 LSM-136 LSM-137 LSM-138 LSM-139 LSM-140 LSM-141 LSM-142 LSM-143 LSM-144 LSM-145 LSM-146 LSM-147 LSM-148 LSM-149 LSM-150 LSM-151 LSM-152 LSM-153 LSM-154 LSM-155 LSM-156 LSM-157 LSM-158 LSM-159 LSM-160 LSM-161 / Kodiak LSM-162 LSM-163 LSM-164 LSM-165 LSM-166 LSM-167 LSM-168 LSM-169 LSM-170 LSM-171 LSM-172 LSM-173 LSM-174 LSM-175 / Oceanside LSM-176 LSM-177 LSM-178 LSM-179 LSM-180 LSM-181 LSM-182 LSM-183 LSM-184 LSM-185 LSM-186 LSM-187
LSM-200 – LSM-299 LSM-200 LSM-201 LSM-202 LSM-203 LSM-204 LSM-205 LSM-206 LSM-207 LSM-208 LSM-209 LSM-210 LSM-211 LSM-212 LSM-213 LSM-214 LSM-215 LSM-216 LSM-217 LSM-218 LSM-219 LSM-220 LSM-221 LSM-222 LSM-223 LSM-224 LSM-225 LSM-226 LSM-227 LSM-228 LSM-229 LSM-230 LSM-231 LSM-232 LSM-233 LSM-234 LSM-235 LSM-236 LSM-237 LSM-238 LSM-239 LSM-240 LSM-241 LSM-242 LSM-243 LSM-244 LSM-245 LSM-246 LSM-247 LSM-248 LSM-249 LSM-250 LSM-251 LSM-252 LSM-253 LSM-254 LSM-255 LSM-256 LSM-257 LSM-258 LSM-259 LSM-260 LSM-261 LSM-262 LSM-263 LSM-264 LSM-265 LSM-266 LSM-267 LSM-268 LSM-269 LSM-270 LSM-271 LSM-272 LSM-273 LSM-274 LSM-275 / Portunus LSM-276 LSM-277 LSM-278 LSM-279 LSM-280 LSM-281 LSM-282 LSM-283 LSM-284 LSM-285 LSM-286 LSM-287 LSM-288 LSM-289 LSM-290 LSM-291 LSM-292 LSM-293 LSM-294 LSM-295 LSM-296 LSM-297 LSM-298 LSM-299
LSM-300 – LSM-400 LSM-300 LSM-301 / MMC-6 LSM-302 LSM-303 / MMC-7 LSM-304 LSM-305 LSM-306 LSM-307 LSM-308 LSM-309 LSM-310 LSM-311 LSM-312 LSM-313 LSM-314 LSM-315 LSM-316 LSM-317 LSM-318 LSM-319 LSM-320 LSM-321 LSM-322 LSM-323 LSM-324 LSM-325 LSM-326 LSM-327 LSM-328 LSM-329 LSM-330 LSM-331 LSM-332 LSM-333 LSM-334 LSM-335 / T-LSM-335 LSM-336 LSM-337 LSM-338 LSM-339 LSM-340 LSM-341 LSM-342 LSM-343 LSM-344 LSM-345 LSM-346 LSM-347 LSM-348 LSM-349 LSM-350 LSM-351 LSM-352 LSM-353 LSM-354 LSM-355 LSM-356 LSM-357 LSM-358 LSM-359 LSM-360 LSM-361 LSM-362 LSM-363 LSM-364 LSM-365 LSM-366 LSM-367 LSM-368 LSM-369 LSM-370 LSM-371 LSM-372 LSM-373 / Lakeland LSM-374 LSM-375 LSM-376 LSM-377 LSM-378 LSM-379 LSM-380 LSM-381 LSM-382 LSM-383 LSM-384 LSM-385 LSM-386 LSM-387 LSM-388 LSM-389 / MMC-8 LSM-390 LSM-391 LSM-392 / MMC-9 LSM-393 LSM-394 LSM-395 LSM-396 LSM-397 LSM-398 / Hunting LSM-399 LSM-400
LSM-413 – LSM-500 LSM-413 LSM-414 LSM-415 LSM-416 LSM-417 LSM-418 LSM-419 LSM-420 LSM-421 LSM-422 LSM-423 LSM-424 LSM-425 LSM-426 LSM-427 LSM-428 LSM-429 LSM-430 LSM-431 LSM-432 LSM-433 LSM-434 LSM-435 LSM-436 LSM-437 LSM-438 LSM-439 LSM-440 LSM-441 LSM-442 LSM-443 LSM-444 LSM-445 / E-LSM-445 / Catapult LSM-446 / E-LSM-446 / Launcher LSM-447 LSM-448 LSM-449 LSM-450 LSM-451 LSM-452 LSM-453 LSM-454 LSM-455 LSM-456 LSM-457 LSM-458 LSM-459 LSM-460 LSM-461 LSM-462 LSM-463 / T-LSM-463 LSM-464 LSM-465 LSM-466 LSM-467 LSM-468 LSM-469 LSM-470 LSM-471 LSM-472 LSM-473 LSM-474 LSM-475 LSM-476 LSM-477 LSM-478 LSM-479 LSM-480 LSM-481 / MMC-10 LSM-482 LSM-483 LSM-484 / MMC-11 LSM-485 LSM-486 LSM-487 LSM-488 LSM-489 LSM-490 / MMC-12 LSM-491 LSM-492 / MMC-13 LSM-493 / MMC-14 LSM-494 LSM-495 LSM-496 LSM-497 LSM-498 LSM-499 LSM-500
LSM-537 – LSM-558 LSM-537 LSM-538 LSM-539 LSM-540 / Raritan LSM-541 LSM-542 LSM-543 LSM-544 LSM-545 LSM-546 LSM-547 LSM-548 LSM-549 / Gypsy LSM-550 / Mender LSM-551 / Salvager LSM-552 / Windlass LSM-553 LSM-554 LSM-555 LSM-556 LSM-557 LSM-558
Other operators  Argentine Navy BDM-1 (ex-LSM-267) BDM-2 / Corrientes (ex-LSM-86)  Australian Army Harry Chauvel (ex-LSM-319) Brudenell White (ex-LSM-477) Vernon Sturdee (ex-LSM-315) Clive Steele (ex-LSM-547)  Brazilian Navy Gonçalo Coelho (ex-LSM-119)  Chilean Navy Aspirante Morel (LSM-31) (ex-LSM-417) Aspirante Goycolea (ex-LSM-400) Aspirante Morel (LSM-92) (ex-LSM-444) Aspirante Isaza (ex-LSM-295) Guardiamarina Contreras (ex-LSM-113)  Republic of China Navy Mei Chin class Mei Lo (LSM-242) (ex-LSM-157) Mei Kun (ex-LSM-478) Mei Chin (ex-LSM-155) Mei Hua (ex-LSM-256) Mei Hong (ex-LSM-442) Mei Peng (ex-LSM-431) Mei Heng (ex-LSM-456) Mei Song (ex-LSM-457) Mei He (ex-LSM-13) Mei Jian (ex-LSM-76) Mei Cheng (ex-LSM-422) Mei Ping (ex-LSM-471) Mei Han (ex-LSM-474) Mei Lo (LSM-356) (ex-LSM-362) Mei Yi (ex-LSM-285) ex-LSM-43 ex-LSM-62 ex-LSM-69 ex-LSM-80 ex-LSM-88 ex-LSM-112 ex-LSM-124 ex-LSM-146 ex-LSM-147 ex-LSM-153 ex-LSM-154 ex-LSM-159 ex-LSM-208 ex-LSM-218 ex-LSM-225 ex-LSM-248 ex-LSM-249 ex-LSM-278 ex-LSM-280 ex-LSM-282 ex-LSM-284 ex-LSM-290 ex-LSM-292 ex-LSM-293 ex-LSM-308 ex-LSM-336 ex-LSM-337 ex-LSM-339 ex-LSM-349 ex-LSM-363 ex-LSM-374 ex-LSM-376 ex-LSM-386 ex-LSM-387 ex-LSM-391 ex-LSM-393 ex-LSM-423 ex-LSM-427 ex-LSM-430 ex-LSM-433 ex-LSM-439 ex-LSM-453 ex-LSM-461 ex-LSM-470 ex-LSM-472 ex-LSM-475 ex-LSM-482 ex-LSM-489  People's Liberation Army Navy HUA-201 (ex-LSM-112) HUA-202 (ex-LSM-248) HUA-204 (ex-LSM-430) HUA-207 (ex-LSM-282) HUA-208 (ex-LSM-42) Huang Ho (ex-LSM-433) ex-LSM-43 ex-LSM-124 ex-LSM-153 ex-LSM-208 ex-LSM-218 ex-LSM-225 ex-LSM-237? ex-LSM-336 ex-LSM-391 ex-LSM-453? ex-LSM-475? ex-LSM-482 ex-LSM-489  Royal Danish Navy Hjaelperen (ex-LSM-500) Beskytteren (ex-LSM-390) Vindhunden (ex-LSM-392)  Dominican Navy San Rafael (ex-LSM-216) Sirio (ex-LSM-483) Antares (ex-LSM-538)  Ecuadorian Navy Jambeli (ex-LSM-539) Tarqui (ex-LSM-555)  French Navy L9011 (ex-LSM-355) L9012 (ex-LSM-110) L9013 (ex-LSM-125) L9014 (ex-LSM-316) L9015 (ex-LSM-422) L9016 (ex-LSM-478) L9017 (ex-LSM-17) L9018 (ex-LSM-58) L9019 (ex-LSM-226) L9051 (ex-LSM-85) L9052 (ex-LSM-471) ex-LSM-479  German Navy Krokodil (ex-LSM-537) Eidechse (ex-LSM-491) Salamander (ex-LSM-553) Viper (ex-LSM-558)  Hellenic Navy Ypoploiarkhos Grigoropoulos (ex-LSM-45) Ypoploiarkhos Toyrnas (ex-LSM-102) Daniolos (ex-LSM-227) Ypoploiarkhos Roussen (ex-LSM-399) Krystalldis (ex-LSM-541) Merlin (ex-LSM-557) Aktion (ex-LSM-301) Amvrakia (ex-LSM-303)  Indonesian Navy ex-LSM-354  Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force LSM-3001 (ex-LSM-125)  Republic of Korea Navy Daecho (ex-LSM-546) Yeo Do (ex-LSM-268) Dokdo (ex-LSM-419) Gadeok (ex-LSM-462) Ku Moon (ex-LSM-30) Bian (ex-LSM-96) Pungdo (ex-LSM-54) Wolmi (ex-LSM-57) Girin (ex-LSM-19) Neongna (ex-LSM-84) Sinmmi (ex-LSM-311) Ulleung (ex-LSM-17)  Royal Norwegian Navy Vale (ex-LSM-492) Vidar (ex-LSM-493)  Paraguayan Navy Teniente Pratt Gill / Boqueron (ex-Corrientes)  Peruvian Navy Lomas (ex-LSM-396) Atico (ex-LSM-554)  Philippine Navy Batanes (L-65) (ex-LSM-236) Isabela (ex-T-LSM-463) Batanes (LP-65) (ex-Hương Giang) Western Samar (ex-Hát Giang) Oriental Mindoro (ex-LSM-320) ex-Hàn Giang (cannibalized for parts)  Portuguese Navy Medusa / São Rafael (ex-Portunus)  Spanish Navy LSM-1 (ex-LSM-329) LSM-2 (ex-LSM-331) LSM-3 (ex-LSM-343)  Royal Thai Navy Kut (ex-LSM-333) Phai (ex-LSM-338) Kram (ex-LSM-469)  Turkish Navy Mordoğan (ex-LSM-484) Meriç (ex-LSM-490) Marmaris (ex-LSM-481) Mersin (ex-Vale) Mürefte (ex-Vidar)  Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela Friars (ex-LSM-544) Los Testigos (ex-LSM-545) Monk (ex-LSM-548) Roques (ex-LSM-543) ex-LSM-370 (cannibalized for parts) ex-LSM-542 (cannibalized for parts)  Republic of Vietnam Navy Hát Giang (ex-L9011) Hàn Giang (ex-L9012) Lam Giang (ex-LSM-226) Ninh Giang (ex-LSM-85) Hương Giang (ex-Oceanside) Tiền Giang (ex-LSM-313) Hậu Giang (ex-LSM-276) ex-LSM-58  Vietnam People's Navy ex-Ninh Giang ex-Tiền Giang ex-Hậu Giang
Preceded by: None Followed by: LSM(R)-188 class
List of United States Navy amphibious warfare ships

• Ships built in Kearny, New Jersey
• 1944 ships
• World War II amphibious warfare vessels of the United States
• Repair ships of the United States Navy
• Cold War auxiliary ships of the United States
• LSM-1-class landing ships medium
• Cable ships of the United States Navy
• Auxiliary ships of the Portuguese Navy