Early Repair Ships

The Navy's first generation of repair ships - converted colliers, merchant vessels, and the first purpose-built floating shipyards. These four vessels established the doctrine of forward repair capability that would prove critical in World War II. USS Prometheus was the first ship designed from the keel up as a repair vessel. USS Vestal survived the attack on Pearl Harbor moored alongside Arizona, her commanding officer Cassin Young earning the Medal of Honor for saving his ship under fire.