USS Tantalus (ARL-27) USS Tantalus (ARL-27) USS "Tantalus" (ARL-27) was one of 39 "Achelous"-class landing craft repair ships built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named for Tantalus (a legendary king of Lydia condemned to stand in a pool of water up to his chin and beneath fruit-laden boughs only to have the water or fruit recede at each attempt to drink or eat), she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name. Originally laid down as "LST-1117" on 10 October 1944 at Seneca, Illinois by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company; launched on 2 January 1945; sponsored
Earth and water of Persian Suzerainty and the Zoroastrian symbols of earth and water, the marks of vassalage...". Earth and water In the writings of the Ancient Greek chronicler Herodotus, the phrase earth and water ( "ge kai hydor") is used to represent the demand of the Persians from the cities or people who surrendered to them. In Book 4, Herodotus mentions for the first time the term "earth and water" in the answer of king Idanthyrsus of the Scythians to king Darius. In Book 5, it is reported that Darius sent heralds demanding "earth and water" from king Amyntas I of Macedon,