>From the "Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships," 

(1969) Vol. 4, p.354





MIDLAND





	A county in central Michigan and western Texas.





AK-195

Displacement:  7,450 t. (limiting)

Length:  338'6"

Beam:  50'0"

Draft:  21'1" (limiting)

Speed:  11.5 k.

Complement:  85

Armament:  1 3"; 6 20mm

Class:  ALAMOSA

Maritime Commission Standard Type:  C1-M-AV1





	MIDLAND (AK-195) was laid down under Maritime 

Commission contract by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., 

Superior, Wisc., 29 July 1944; launched 23 December 1944; 

sponsored by Mrs. William G. Mitsch; converted by the New 

Orleans Naval Station; acquired by the Navy from the 

Maritime Commission on loan-charter 17 August 1945; placed 

in service the same day to be ferried from Beaumont to 

Galveston, Tex., and placed out of service upon arrival the 

18th; and commissioned 27 September 1945, Lt. Lloyd K. 

Barry, USNR, in command.



	Because of the reduced need for cargo ships following 

World War II, MIDLAND decommissioned at New Orleans 

13 November 1945 and was returned to the War Shipping 

Administration the same day for service under the Maritime 

Commission as COASTAL HARBINGER.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com