The USS Mizar (AF-12) was originally the Quirigua, a United Fruit Company fruit, mail, and passenger liner built in 1932. It was part of a group of six "Mail class" ships designed for transporting refrigerated fruit, particularly bananas, along with passengers, mail, and general cargo. Constructed by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts, Quirigua measured approximately 447 feet 10 inches in overall length, with a beam of 60 feet and a depth of 24 feet. It had a displacement of around 10,928 tons at the design waterline and was equipped with a turbo-electric transmission system powered by four Babcock & Wilcox oil-fired boilers, driving twin General Electric electric motors. This propulsion setup guaranteed a minimum speed of 17.5 knots, with some trials exceeding 19 knots, and delivered up to 11,000 horsepower. The vessel's refrigerated cargo compartments totaled about 6,798 cubic meters, with insulation provided by cork-lined holds and refrigeration units from York Ice Machinery Corporation. Passenger accommodations were designed for approximately 113 persons, featuring modern facilities with steam heating and mechanical ventilation, along with public rooms such as a dining area and library. In wartime, the ship was acquired by the U.S. Navy in June 1941 under a bareboat charter, converted by Brewer's Drydock Co. into a refrigerated stores ship, and commissioned as USS Mizar. During its service in World War II, Mizar operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters, supporting operations in Iceland, the Solomon Islands, and New Guinea. It was modified to carry additional berthing, armed with a 5-inch gun, multiple 3-inch anti-aircraft guns, and Oerlikon 20mm cannons. Mizar participated in supplying Allied forces, making numerous voyages to deliver fresh food and supplies, notably supporting the Australian and American campaigns in the Pacific. Decommissioned in April 1946 and returned to its civilian owner, Quirigua was later converted back into a commercial refrigerated cargo liner. It was renamed SS Samala in 1958 after being transferred to Elders and Fyffes, a British subsidiary of United Fruit, and was scrapped in 1964. The vessel's service highlights its dual role as a pioneering refrigerated cargo ship and a valuable wartime auxiliary, exemplifying U.S. maritime logistics during World War II.

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