Procyon I A-11

Procyon

I
(A~11: dp. 4,060; 1. 380'; b. 54'2"; dr. 9'8"; s. 11.5 k.;
cpl. 218)

Procyon (AG 11) was built in 1919 by the American
International SB Corp., Hog Island, Pa., and launched as SS Shaume; taken over by the Navy 8 November 1921 from the U.S. Shipping Board, under executive order of 29 October 1921; and commissioned 30 November 1921, Lt. Bertram David in command.

Procyon served as flagship of Commander Fleet Base Force,
U.S. Battle Fleet, until she decommissioned 1 April 1931. Inspected by the State Edueation Department of New York, she was found suitable for use as a Merchant Marine Academy training vessel, and, by request of Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was renamed Empire State (IX-38) and turned over to the State of New York 15 July 1931. She served as a echool ship for the Academy until 11 April 1940, when she was transfered to the Maritime Commission for disposal.