USS Edisto, 1954

Edisto (AG-89), one of the world's most powerful icebreakers, was launched 29 May 1946 by Western Pipe and Steel Co., San Pedro, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. George B. Gelly; and commissioned 20 March 1947, Commander E. C. Folger in command. She was re-classified AGB-2, 28 January 1949.

Edisto sailed for the east coast 11 April 1947 to shake down. During a training cruise to Greenland that summer she crossed the Arctic Circle for the first of many times in her career. From 1949 through 1960, Edisto continued her indispensable support to exploration in both Arctic and Antarctic. She supplied bases, reported ice packs and floes; took part in oceanographic, hydrographic, geological, coast and geodetic, and hydrophone surveys and Arctic convoy exercises.

[Taken from the entry on the USS Edisto in the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.]