The U.S.S. Blackford was named after Blackford County, Indiana. Jay County's sister County.
She was a Benawah Class Self-propelled Barracks Ship. Authorized as LST-1111; Re-designated General Stores Issue Ship, named BLACKFORD (AKS-16) 8 December 1944.
She was Re-designated Self Propelled Barracks Ship (APB-45). She was laid down at Missouri Valley Bridge and Iron Co, Evansville Indiana. Launching was 12 April 1945.
The USS BLACKFORD (APB-45) was commissioned 9 July 1945 at Navy Supply Depot, New Orleans LA. (Pictured to the left is her sister ship, no known pictures exists of the Blackford.)
Decommissioning occurred 26 April 1947 at Orange Texas. APB-45 then was laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group – Orange Texas.
At a later date she was struck from the Navel Register, (date unknown)
APB Specifications: Displacement 2,189 ton; Length 328’; Beam 50’; Draft 11’2”; Speed 10 kts; Complement 151; Troop Capacity 990; Armament eight 40mm; Propulsion, two General Motors 12-567 Diesel engines with twin shafts and rudders.