ARDM-1-class floating dry dock
Oak Ridge at Coast Guard Yard, Baltimore, Maryland
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Name: | USS ARD-19 |
| Builder: | |
| Laid down: | 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 22 March 1944 |
| Decommissioned: | 30 September 1949 |
| Recommissioned: | 1 October 1963 |
| Renamed: | USS Oak Ridge |
| Reclassified: | ARDM-1 |
| Namesake: | Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
| Decommissioned: | 10 August 2001 |
| Struck: | 26 November 2001 |
| Fate: | Transferred to the United States Coast Guard, 8 February 2002 |
| History | |
 United States
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| Acquired: | 8 February 2002 |
| Homeport: | |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class and type: | ARD-12-class floating dry dock |
| Displacement: | 6,800 tons |
| Length: | 491 ft 8 in (149.86 m) |
| Beam: | 81 ft (24.7 m) |
| Propulsion: | None |
| Armament: | |
| General characteristics (as refit 1963) | |
| Class and type: | ARDM-1-class |
| Displacement: | 7,390 long tons |
| Length: | 536 ft 1 in (163.40 m) |
USS Oak Ridge (ARD-19/ARDM-1) was originally an ARD-12-class floating dry dock suitable for docking destroyers, submarines and landing craft. In the early 1960s she was upgraded to support Los Angeles-class submarines, and re-classified as ARDM-1-class. A stern door and enclosed bow design allows for open ocean transits. The dock is non-propelled and therefore must be taken under tow to operational areas of the fleet. A steering mechanism with twin rudders is installed to facilitate this operation. Sufficient electrical power was provided by four diesel-driven generator sets to maintain all normal and operational requirements. Living, berthing, and mess facilities are provided for the docks complement of 5 officers, 10 CPO's and a crew of 186.
Oak Ridge was towed, in stages across the Pacific. While in transit she was used as a van to help move the service squadron forward and at the end of August 1944 arrived at Seeadler Harbor carrying a YTL, 2 pontoon crane barges, and 20 LCMs and LCVPs. From Manus ServRon 10 provided the logistic support for the Palau offensive, then moved itself forward to Ulithi and Kossol Roads. The Leyte landings soon followed and the repair facilities were moved up to San Pedro Bay.
On 27 November 1944 ARD-19 was moored in that bay with USS Ross (DD-563) in dock undergoing repairs. Shortly before noon the Japanese launched an air attack. A "Tojo" fighter crashed into the drydock, passed through the starboard wingwall of the dock, and caused gasoline fed flames to encompass the dock basin deck, searing Ross as they spread. As the fire was being contained another Japanese fighter commenced a strafing run, but was splashed by gunfire from the ARD, Ross, and LST-556. Heavy damage kept the ARD busy on self-repairs for only a brief time. She soon resumed her drydocking and repair role, and continued that service, at Subic Bay, Luzon, until after the end of World War II.
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