USS Aucilla (AO-56)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
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| Name: | USS Aucilla |
| Ordered: | as T3-S2-A1 tanker hull, MC hull 722 |
| Laid down: | 25 May 1943 |
| Launched: | 20 November 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 22 December 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | 18 December 1970 |
| Struck: | 1 December 1976 |
| Identification: | AO-56 |
| Fate: | scrapped 25 October 1992 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Cimarron-class fleet oiler |
| Displacement: | 7,236 t.(lt) 25,440 t.(fl) |
| Length: | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Beam: | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Draught: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Installed power: | 30,400 hp (22,700 kW) |
| Propulsion: | geared turbines, twin screws |
| Speed: | 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) |
| Capacity: | 146,000 barrels |
| Complement: | 314 |
| Armament: | one single 5 in (130 mm) dual purpose gun mount; four single 3 in (76 mm)/50 dual purpose gun mounts; four twin 40 mm AA gun mounts; four twin 20 mm AA gun mounts |
USS Aucilla (AO-56) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler. She was constructed for the United States Navy during World War II and her assignment was to provide liquids, such as fuel or water, to ships in the forward battle areas. She survived this dangerous task and returned home post-war with five battle stars to her credit.
Aucilla was laid down on 25 May 1943 at Sparrows Point, Maryland, by the Bethlehem Steel Co. under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 722); launched on 20 November 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Hope Ridings Miller; and commissioned on 22 December 1943, Comdr. Cornelius M. Sullivan in command.
The oiler remained at Sparrows Point until 28 December at which time she got underway for Portsmouth, Virginia. She arrived at the Norfolk Navy Yard on the 29th and began training the crew at battle stations and loading ammunition. Aucilla continued her training both in port and underway in the lower Chesapeake Bay. On 2 February 1944, she departed Norfolk in company with the destroyer Goldsborough on her way to the British West Indies. The oiler arrived at the Naval Operating Base (NOB), Trinidad, on 7 February and began dispensing fuel to warships operating in the vicinity. She remained there until 14 March at which time she put to sea, in convoy, for Aruba. Aucilla arrived at her destination on 16 March, took on a cargo of aviation gasoline, and departed Aruba on 17 March. After a stop at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the oiler arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on 24 March.
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