USS Lyon (AP-71)

USS Lyon (AP-71)

USS Lyon (AP-71) was a ship of the United States Navy which played an extensive role in naval transportation during World War II. The Lyon was built as the Mormactide under a Maritime Commission contract by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Company of Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was laid down August 21, 1939, and was launched on October 12, 1940; sponsored by Gloria McGehee. On August 20, 1942, the ship was acquired by the Navy and was renamed the Lyon after Mary Lyon, the founder of Mount Holyoke College (then Mount Holyoke Female Seminary). (See also List of U.S. military vessels named after women.)

The Lyon was transferred for conversion to the Atlantic Basin Iron Works of Brooklyn, New York on September 13, 1942. The ship was commissioned on September 16, 1942, with Captain M.J. Gillan in command. After the ship's service in World War II, the ship was decommissioned on May 3, 1946, and was returned to her owners, the Moore-McCormack Lines. In 1966 the ship was acquired by Grace Lines and renamed the Santa Regina.