USS Cacapon (AO-52)
.JPG) |
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Name: | USS Cacapon |
| Builder: | Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland |
| Launched: | 12 June 1941 |
| Sponsored by: | Mrs. A. V. Doherty |
| Acquired: | 21 September 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 21 September 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | August 1973 |
| Struck: | August 1973 |
| Fate: | Sold for scrap |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Cimarron-class oiler |
| Type: | T3-S2-A3 tanker hull |
| Displacement: |
|
| Length: | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Beam: | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Draft: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Propulsion: | Geared turbines, twin screws, 30,400 shp (22,669 kW) |
| Speed: | 18 knots (21 mph; 33 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 146,000 barrels |
| Complement: | 314 |
| Armament: |
|
| Service record | |
| Operations: | World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War |
| Awards: |
|
USS Cacapon (AO-52) was a T3 Cimarron-class fleet oiler acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She served her country primarily in the Pacific Ocean Theatre of Operations, and provided petroleum products where needed to combat ships. For performing this dangerous task, she was awarded battle stars and citations during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Cacapon was launched 12 June 1943 at Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard, Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. A. V. Doherty; acquired by the Navy 21 September 1943; and commissioned the same day, Lieutenant Commander G. Eyth in command. The etymology is from a Native American word meaning "medicine waters". Cacapon River and Cacapon Mountain are in West Virginia.
On 22 October 1943 Cacapon sailed from Norfolk, Virginia, to load fuel at Aruba in the West Indies en route to Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 12 November. On 30 November she rendezvoused with the U.S. 5th Fleet to deliver fuel at sea to the ships carrying out the Gilbert Islands operation. After a west coast overhaul, she returned to Pearl Harbor, from which she sailed 3 February 1945 to carry her vital logistic support to task force TF-50, then engaged in the Marshall Islands operation. She carried fuel on which all modern naval warfare depends to units of the U.S. 3rd Fleet from March into May, as the mighty task forces sent their strikes against Rabaul, Kavieng, Green, Emirau, and the Admiralties. During a part of this period, she served temporarily with the U.S. 7th Fleet's service support group for the New Guinea operation.
...
Wikipedia