Maumee class oiler
Encyclopedia
The Maumee class was a class of four United States Navy
fleet oilers in service from the mid-1950s until the mid-1980s. It was the first class of United States Naval Ship
s.
The Maumee class ships were the first of the Navy's new "supertanker
s", significantly larger than previously classes. They also were the first U.S. Navy ships specifically designed and launched with an intention that they be operated in a non-commissioned status by the Military Sea Transportation Service, later the Military Sealift Command
, with civilian crews working under contract. They thus became the first United States Naval Ship
s, and the first to be given the designation "USNS" instead of "USS
" (for United States Ship
, the long-standing designation for ships in commission and manned by Navy personnel). The "T" appended to the beginning of their hull number
s indicated civilian manning, a convention still in use today. When the lead unit, USNS Maumee (T-AO-149)
, entered service in December 1956, she was the first USNS ship in history.
The ships were not designed for underway replenishment
(refueling ships at sea). Rather they were intended to transport bulk petroleum
products, such as fuel oil
, gasoline
, and aviation fuel
, to American
military forces overseas. At some time after the loss of USNS Potomac (T-AO-150)
in 1961, the three survivors were reclassified as transport oilers, and were redesignated as such by having an additional "T" appended to their hull numbers.
river
s with Native American names, a traditional convention for U.S. Navy oiler
s.
transported petroleum primarily in the Pacific, operating in this role between mid-December 1956 and probably the mid-1980s. She eventually was reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-149T.
transported petroleum from 1957 until 1961, when she was destroyed pierside by a fire and explosions. Although her forward half was a total loss, her after half was salvaged and used in the construction of fleet oiler USNS Potomac (T-AO-181)
.
transported petroleum worldwide between mid-December 1956 and probably the late 1980s. Eventually reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-151T.
transported petroleum worldwide between mid-December 1956 and probably the late 1980s. Eventually reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-152T.
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...
fleet oilers in service from the mid-1950s until the mid-1980s. It was the first class of United States Naval Ship
United States Naval Ship
United States Naval Ship or USNS is the prefix designation given to non-commissioned ships that are property of the United States Navy.-Overview:...
s.
The Maumee class ships were the first of the Navy's new "supertanker
Oil tanker
An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a merchant ship designed for the bulk transport of oil. There are two basic types of oil tankers: the crude tanker and the product tanker. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crude oil from its point of extraction to refineries...
s", significantly larger than previously classes. They also were the first U.S. Navy ships specifically designed and launched with an intention that they be operated in a non-commissioned status by the Military Sea Transportation Service, later the Military Sealift Command
Military Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
, with civilian crews working under contract. They thus became the first United States Naval Ship
United States Naval Ship
United States Naval Ship or USNS is the prefix designation given to non-commissioned ships that are property of the United States Navy.-Overview:...
s, and the first to be given the designation "USNS" instead of "USS
USS
USS may refer to:Various organizations:* Union of Secondary Students, a student-rights advocacy group in Ireland* Union Switch & Signal, a supplier of railroad switching equipment* Union Syndicale Suisse, the Swiss Trade Union Confederation...
" (for United States Ship
United States Ship
United States Ship is a ship prefix used to identify a commissioned ship of the United States Navy and only applies to a ship while she is in commission. Before commissioning, she is referred to as "Pre Commissioning Unit" .After decommissioning, she is referred to by name, with no prefix.From the...
, the long-standing designation for ships in commission and manned by Navy personnel). The "T" appended to the beginning of their hull number
Hull number
Hull number is a serial identification number given to a boat or ship. A lower number implies an older vessel. The precise usage varies by country and type....
s indicated civilian manning, a convention still in use today. When the lead unit, USNS Maumee (T-AO-149)
USNS Maumee (T-AO-149)
USNS Maumee , later T-AOT-149, was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler, later transport oiler, in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service , later Military Sealift Command, from 1956 until probably the mid-1980s.Maumee, the fourth U.S...
, entered service in December 1956, she was the first USNS ship in history.
The ships were not designed for underway replenishment
Underway replenishment
Underway replenishment or replenishment at sea is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way.-History:...
(refueling ships at sea). Rather they were intended to transport bulk petroleum
Petroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
products, such as fuel oil
Fuel oil
Fuel oil is a fraction obtained from petroleum distillation, either as a distillate or a residue. Broadly speaking, fuel oil is any liquid petroleum product that is burned in a furnace or boiler for the generation of heat or used in an engine for the generation of power, except oils having a flash...
, gasoline
Gasoline
Gasoline , or petrol , is a toxic, translucent, petroleum-derived liquid that is primarily used as a fuel in internal combustion engines. It consists mostly of organic compounds obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum, enhanced with a variety of additives. Some gasolines also contain...
, and aviation fuel
Aviation fuel
Aviation fuel is a specialized type of petroleum-based fuel used to power aircraft. It is generally of a higher quality than fuels used in less critical applications, such as heating or road transport, and often contains additives to reduce the risk of icing or explosion due to high temperatures,...
, to American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military forces overseas. At some time after the loss of USNS Potomac (T-AO-150)
USNS Potomac (T-AO-150)
USNS Potomac was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service, later Military Sealift Command, from 1957 to 1961.Potomac, fifth U.S...
in 1961, the three survivors were reclassified as transport oilers, and were redesignated as such by having an additional "T" appended to their hull numbers.
Naming
The class was named for its lead unit, Maumee. All four ships were named after AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s with Native American names, a traditional convention for U.S. Navy oiler
Replenishment Oiler
A replenishment oiler or fleet tanker is a naval auxiliary ship with fuel tanks and dry cargo holds, which can replenish other ships while underway in the high seas. Such ships are used by several countries around the world....
s.
Operations
The ships spent their careers in non-commissioned service in the Military Sea Transport Service, later the Military Sealift Command, operating with civilian crews, from the mid-1950s. After the loss of Potomac, the survivors served until probably the mid-1980s.USNS Maumee (T-AO-149)
MaumeeUSNS Maumee (T-AO-149)
USNS Maumee , later T-AOT-149, was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler, later transport oiler, in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service , later Military Sealift Command, from 1956 until probably the mid-1980s.Maumee, the fourth U.S...
transported petroleum primarily in the Pacific, operating in this role between mid-December 1956 and probably the mid-1980s. She eventually was reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-149T.
USNS Potomac (T-AO-150)
PotomacUSNS Potomac (T-AO-150)
USNS Potomac was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service, later Military Sealift Command, from 1957 to 1961.Potomac, fifth U.S...
transported petroleum from 1957 until 1961, when she was destroyed pierside by a fire and explosions. Although her forward half was a total loss, her after half was salvaged and used in the construction of fleet oiler USNS Potomac (T-AO-181)
USNS Potomac (T-AO-181)
The fifth USNS Potomac was a United States Navy oiler in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service, later Military Sealift Command, from 1976 to 1983.Potomac, sixth U.S...
.
USNS Shoshone (T-AO-151)
ShoshoneUSNS Shoshone (T-AO-151)
USNS Shoshone , later T-AO-151T, was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler, later transport oiler, in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service , later Military Sealift Command, from 1957 until probably the mid-1980s.Shoshone, third U.S...
transported petroleum worldwide between mid-December 1956 and probably the late 1980s. Eventually reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-151T.
USNS Yukon (T-AO-152)
YukonUSNS Yukon (T-AO-152)
USNS Yukon , later T-AO-152T, was a United States Navy Maumee-class oiler, later transport oiler, in non-commissioned service with the Military Sea Transportation Service, later Military Sealift Command, from 1957 to 1985....
transported petroleum worldwide between mid-December 1956 and probably the late 1980s. Eventually reclassified as a "transport oiler" and redesignated T-AO-152T.