USS Rankin
Attack Cargo Ship · United States · Lost 1988 · Florida's Atlantic Coast
A World War II attack cargo ship that landed Marines at Okinawa and Beirut, later scuttled off Stuart as a diving and fishing reef.
The Vessel and Her Loss
Launched in 1944, USS Rankin served in the Pacific during the Okinawa campaign and later supported Cold War-era amphibious operations, including the 1958 landing of U.S. Marines in Beirut. Decommissioned in 1971 and laid up for years, she was intentionally sunk off Stuart, Florida, on July 24, 1988. Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne broke the hull in half in 2004, though the stern section remains a popular, largely intact dive.
Vessel
- 1944
- AKA-103 / LKA-103
- North Carolina Shipbuilding Company
- Wilmington, North Carolina
- Steel
- 459.2 ft
- 63 ft
- 13190
- Geared turbine, single screw
- United States Navy
Loss
- July 24, 1988
- Intentional sinking
- About 6 miles east of Stuart, Florida
- Atlantic Ocean
- Not established
- Not established
- 0
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 70-140
- Broken in half by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004; stern section remains largely intact.
- Resting on starboard side
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 27.19° N 80.02° W
- Approximate position
- Stuart, Florida
Evidence
Overall confidence: Well documented (90/100)
Build and service history, sinking date.
Commissioning and decommissioning dates.
