The Attack Cargo Ship U.S.S. Rankin, AKA-103, was built by the North Carolina Shipbuilding Co., Wilmington, North Carolina. She was launched on December 22, 1944, and commissioned on February 25, 1945, at Charleston Navy Yard. She was 459.2 feet long, had a 63.2 foot beam, displaced 14,200 gross tons and was powered by a 6,000 hp engine. She was designed to carry troops, landing craft and supplies and put them ashore. Her armament consisted of one 5-inch gun, eight 40 mm and sixteen 20 mm machine guns.

Some sources claim that the Rankin was involved in both the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns. We know for sure that she transported 5,000 tons of Army ammunition to Okinawa. The Rankin was decommissioned on May 21, 1947, and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet. In 1952 she was re commissioned and started a lengthy second career as support for amphibious training operations. On July 18, 1958, the Rankin participated in the amphibious force that landed 5,000 U.S. marines at Beirut, Lebanon. This landing was in response to a request from the Lebanese Government to avert a civil war. On January 1, 1969, the Rankin was reclassified LKA-103 and operated off the eastern seaboard. The Rankin also operated in Cuban waters during the Cuban Missile Crisis. She was decommissioned on May 11, 1971. The U.S.S. Rankin received one battle star for her World War II operations.

The Rankin was sunk six miles east of St. Lucie Inlet during the summer of 1988 as an artificial reef. She now rests on her starboard side in 130 to 135 feet of water with her bow pointing south-southeast. According to Joe Roberts, who has frequented the wreck, the canisters that the Rankin's 40 mm anti-aircraft guns were carried in can still be seen. Divers will first reach the wreck's superstructure at 60 feet, while her main deck is at 95 feet.

Because of the location of the wreck, dive conditions vary a great deal. Sometimes the current from the flowing gulf stream can make it difficult for divers to explore the wreck comfortably, but on other dives the current may be slight. The visibility here is often excellent, and a wide assortment of sea life reportedly frequents the area. We have had reports of large numbers of barracuda, amberjack, grouper and black sea bass.

Photo: The Attack Cargo Ship U.S.S. Rankin. Photo courtesy Joe Roberts collection.