The USS Sabik (AK-121), a Crater-class cargo ship was commissioned by the US Navy for World War II service. The ship delivered troops, goods as well as equipment to war locations. The ship was initially laid down as SS William Becknell on November 8, 1943, by the Todd-Houston Shipbuilding Corp, Houston, Texas. Later on, the ship was renamed as USS Sabik on November 13th and launched on December 17th. The ship was commissioned on April 19, 1944, under the command of Lt. Comdr. Harry Gorman. During the course of service, the ship sailed to Norfolk, Bayonne, New Hebrides, Espiritu Santo, Russell Islands, and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Many sailors on this ship were exposed to airborne asbestos as this material was widely used in the construction of boiler rooms, engine rooms, and as insulation. The USS Sabik was decommissioned on March 19, 1946, and was returned to lay-up at Suisun Bay, California and later on April 17, 1966, the ship name was struck off from the Navy List. The ship remained in the National Defense Reserve Fleet with the name SS William Becknell until it was sold for scrapping on October 30, 1961. The USS Sabik earned two battle stars for the service in World War II.
760-621-6147
