The USS Camden (AS-6) was a notable submarine tender and barracks ship in the United States Navy, originally built in 1900 by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft in Germany as the cargo ship SS Kiel. Seized by the U.S. during World War I in 1917, the vessel was transferred from the Shipping Board and commissioned into Navy service on August 15, 1917, as USS Camden with the identification number ID-3143. Initially serving as a cargo ship, she transported coal between Cardiff, Wales, and French ports, with a brief return voyage to the United States. In May 1918, she was decommissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard for conversion into a submarine tender. Recommissioned on February 21, 1919, as USS Camden (AS-6), she embarked on a long career supporting submarine operations. Based out of New London, Connecticut, she served as flagship for Commander, Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet, until September 1920. After repairs at Norfolk, Virginia, she moved to the Pacific, operating from San Pedro, Los Angeles, beginning June 1921, and briefly served as flagship of the Commander, Submarine Flotilla, Pacific Fleet, in early 1922. By March 1923, she returned to the Atlantic, serving as flagship of Submarine Division 4 at New London and later as flagship of the Commander, Control Force, participating in large-scale maneuvers and exercises. Her notable activities included assisting in the raising of the submarine S-5 in 1925 and participating in the 1927 Naval Review at Hampton Roads. The ship was decommissioned at Philadelphia on May 26, 1931, but was reclassified as IX-42 and recommissioned as a barracks ship in September 1940. Towed to New York Navy Yard, she served as a floating berthing facility for the duration of World War II until her sale on October 23, 1946. The USS Camden’s service exemplifies the versatility and enduring utility of naval auxiliary vessels in supporting submarine and fleet operations across two decades.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.