"pelias" was laid down as ss "mormacyork" under maritime commission contract by sun shipbuilding and dry dock co., chester, pennsylvania, 8 may 1939; launched 14 november 1939; sponsored by miss barbara w. vickery; and delivered to moore-mccormick steamship co., 1 april 1940. "mormacyork" served for a short time on passenger service between ports in the united states and south america. acquired by the navy late in 1940, she was renamed "pelias" 9 january 1941 and converted for navy use as a submarine tender by bethlehem steel co., brooklyn, n.y. "pelias" commissioned at new york 5 september 1941, comdr. william wakefield in command.