page_title: USS Betelgeuse (AK-260)
section_title: Deactivation and decommissioning
hierarchical_section_title: USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) / USS Betelgeuse / 1970s / Deactivation and decommissioning
caption_attribution_description: The mothballed U.S. Navy cargo ship USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania (USA), using a newly developed preservation method, circa 1971. The ship’s deck, topside equipment and superstructure were completely covered from bow to stem by a single, customengineered, air-supported, plastic structure within which dehumidified air was circulated. The advantage of this method was that significant time was saved in reactivating a ship to full operating status. The new process required minimum dismantling of a ship’s topside equipment for stowage below deck. Winches, controllers, directors and other topside gear remained in place.
context_page_description: USS Betelgeuse (AK-260) was the last of the cargo ships in service in the United States Navy. She was launched on 10 April 1944 as a Victory ship, the SS Colombia Victory, to carry cargo for World War II. She was transferred to the US Navy in 1951.
context_section_description: The Sub-Board of Inspection and Survey, Atlantic conducted a pre-inactivation inspection during the period 21–23 September 1970 and found Betelgeuse fit for further service provided three deficiencies were corrected. On 15 October 1970, operational control of Betelgeuse shifted to Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility Portsmouth, Charleston Detachment and became inactive to prepare to enter the mothball fleet.
  Betelgeuse was formally decommissioned on 15 January 1971. LCDR Robert L. Jerns, as Commanding Officer, received the commissioning pennant. BM1 Stephen J. Meader received the ensign for having been on board the longest.
  Betelgeuse was towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on 16 January 1971 and used in an experiment for encapsulation of mothballed ships. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 February 1974.
caption: Betelgeuse experimentally mothballed.
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