Chiwawa class oiler
Encyclopedia
The Chiwawa-class oilers were United States Navy
oilers of the T3-S-A1 design built during World War II
at Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard of Sparrows Point, Maryland. The class consisted of five ships, all of which survived the war.
All of the ships of the class initially were to be built for private companies, but the outset of World War II, the ships were transferred to the United States Maritime Commission
and given new names. Later, when allocated to the U.S. Navy, they were renamed again.
Often the Chiwawa class is seen as part of the Kennebec class. In some cases the Kennebec class is divided into three classes, the Kennebec class (AO-36 to AO-40, AO-48), the Mattaponi class (AO-41 to AO-44, AO-47) and the Chiwawa class. The first two classes were of the T2 and T2-A designs whereas the Chiwawas were of the T3-S-A1 design, mainly differing in in having only a 7,000 shp engine and a top speed of 15.3 knots.
Three of the ships — , , and — were decommissioned at the end of the war. The remaining two — and — were in and out of commission until late 1957.
Chiwawa (now Lee A. Tregurtha) and Neshanic (now American Victory) are still in commercial service on the Great Lakes
. Enoree and Niobrara were both eventually scrapped while Escalante, then known as George MacDonald, sank in 1960.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
oilers of the T3-S-A1 design built during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
at Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard of Sparrows Point, Maryland. The class consisted of five ships, all of which survived the war.
All of the ships of the class initially were to be built for private companies, but the outset of World War II, the ships were transferred to the United States Maritime Commission
United States Maritime Commission
The United States Maritime Commission was an independent executive agency of the U.S. federal government that was created by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, passed by Congress on June 29, 1936, and replaced the U.S. Shipping Board which had existed since World War I...
and given new names. Later, when allocated to the U.S. Navy, they were renamed again.
Often the Chiwawa class is seen as part of the Kennebec class. In some cases the Kennebec class is divided into three classes, the Kennebec class (AO-36 to AO-40, AO-48), the Mattaponi class (AO-41 to AO-44, AO-47) and the Chiwawa class. The first two classes were of the T2 and T2-A designs whereas the Chiwawas were of the T3-S-A1 design, mainly differing in in having only a 7,000 shp engine and a top speed of 15.3 knots.
Three of the ships — , , and — were decommissioned at the end of the war. The remaining two — and — were in and out of commission until late 1957.
Chiwawa (now Lee A. Tregurtha) and Neshanic (now American Victory) are still in commercial service on the Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
. Enoree and Niobrara were both eventually scrapped while Escalante, then known as George MacDonald, sank in 1960.
Ships of the class
| Name | Original name | Commissioned | Final decommission | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samoset | 24 December 1942 | 6 May 1946 | converted to laker, 1961; still in service | |
| Sachem | 23 January 1943 | 22 October 1957 | scrapped, 1982 | |
| Shabonee | 30 January 1943 | 12 December 1945 | sunk, 1980 | |
| Marquette | 13 March 1943 | 19 December 1945 | converted to laker; still in service | |
| Citadel | 20 February 1943 | 12 November 1957 | Scrapped after 1982 |