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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Salinas (AO-19)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Golf - Romeo
NUGR
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - Combat Action Ribbon (30 October 1941) - American Defense Service Medal (with "A" device) - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal - Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Patoka Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, as SS Hudsonian, under a USSB contact, at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock, Newport News, VA.
  • Launched, 16 March 1920
  • Commissioned USS Salinas (AO-19), 16 December 1921, LCDR. Henry S. Chase, USNRF, in command
  • Decommissioned, 20 June 1922, at Norfolk and laid up in reserve
  • Recommissioned, 12 June 1926, at Norfolk, VA.
  • During World War II USS Salinas (AO-19) saw service with both the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets
  • Decommissioned, 16 January 1946, at San Francisco, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 25 February 1946
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission, Suisun Bay, for disposal, 30 June 1946
  • Sold to Hillcone S.S. Co., 14 November 1947
  • Sold to a Liberian company in January 1955
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 5,400 t.(lt) 17,820 t.(fl)
    Length 447' 10"
    Beam 60' 3"
    Draft 26' 2"(mean)
    Speed 11.2 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 16
    Enlisted 230
    Largest Boom Capacity 7½ t.
    Cargo Capacity 11,100 DWT
    Oil 70,000 Bbls
    Gasoline 267,000 Gals
    Armament
    two single 5"/38 cal dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    four twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Fuel Capacity
    NSFO 4,780 Bbls
    Propulsion
    Newport News quadruple vertical reciprocating (#13 geared turbine) steam engine
    two Babcox and Wilcox header-type boilers, 265psi °Sat
    Ship's Service Generators
     one turbo-drive 50Kw 120V D.C.
     one turbo-drive 75Kw 120V D.C.
     one Diesel-drive 50Kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 2,900 shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Salinas
    091901911    		 176k
    Namesake
    Salinas - The Salinas River is the longest river of the Central Coast region of California, running 175 miles and draining 4,160 square miles. It flows north-northwest and drains the Salinas Valley that slices through the central California Coast Ranges south of Monterey Bay. The river begins in southern San Luis Obispo County, originating in the Los Machos Hills of the Los Padres National Forest. From there, the river flows north into Monterey County, eventually making its way to connect with the Monterey Bay, part of the Pacific Ocean, approximately 5 miles south of Moss Landing. The river is a wildlife corridor, and provides the principal source of water from its reservoirs and tributaries for the farms and vineyards of the valley. (Wikipedia)
    Photo - San Ardo Oil Field, with the Salinas River in the foreground, May 2008 ©Antandrus
    Map - Map of the Salinas River watershed in Central California, USA. Made using USGS National Map data ©Shannon1     		Tommy Trampp
    Salinas 35k USS Salinas (AO-19), fitting out at Newport News Shipbuilding Newport News Shipbuilding web site
    Salinas 67k USS Salinas (AO-19) at anchor riding light in the water with much of her dark red bottom paint showing, place unknown, 1919. Unlike later ships of the type, she does not have the extensive equipment required for underway replenishment.
    US Navy photo # NH 67794 from the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret. and Robert Hurst
    Salinas 82k USS Salinas (AO-19) at anchor with ship's boat alongside, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from "Gray Steel and Black Oil: Fast Tankers and Replenishment at Sea in the U.S. Navy, 1912-1992", by Thomas Wildenburg.    		 Robert Hurst
    Salinas 188k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed, 30 October 1941. View taken from motor launch. Looking forward showing second torpedo hit under the bridge at #2 and 3 main tanks.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108571    		 Mike Green
    Salinas 266k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed, 30 October 1941. View from quarter deck. Port side looking aft. Showing outward bulge of plating caused by first torpedo hit.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108585    		 Mike Green
    Salinas 241k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed, 30 October 1941. View taken from motor launch. Showing where first torpedo hit on port side and quarter at #9 main and bunker tanks.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108572    		 Mike Green
    Salinas 202k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed on 30 October 1941. Port side aft looking forward. Showing outward bulge of plating. First hit.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108584    		 Mike Green
    Salinas 283k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed on 30 October 1941. View showing oil splashed on superstructure and bridge from second torpedo hit. Forward side of bridge.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108580    		 Mike Green
    Salinas 272k USS Salinas (AO-19) showing damage incurred when torpedoed on 30 October 1941. View looking down into #8 tank. Showing bottom blown out by second torpedo hit.
    US Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 108574    		 Mike Green
    USS Salinas (AO-19)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Commanding Officers
    01LCDR. Chase, Henry Salmon16 December 1921 - 25 July 1922
     Decommissioned25 July 1922 - 13 May 1929
    02CDR. Doherty, Stephen12 June 1926 - 25 July 1927
    03CAPT. McClure, Harry Adrian, USN (USNA 1907) :COMO25 July 1927 - 13 May 1929
    04CAPT. Rice Jr., Arthur Hopkins. USN (USNA 1904)13 May 1929 - 8 May 1930
    05CDR. Russell, Charles Frank8 May 1930 - 1932
    06CDR. Miles, Alfred Hard1934
    07CDR. Henning, Elmer Richard1936 - 8 June 1938
    08CDR. Norton, Stanley Cook8 June 1938 - ?
    09CDR. Kraker, George Patton? - July 1939
    10CAPT. Bottom Jr., John Thomas :RADMJuly 1939 - 20 June 1941
    11CDR. Cope, Harley Francis, USN (USNA 1920)20 June 1941 - 10 March 1942
    12CDR. Johnston, Donlad Hendrie10 March 1942 - 15 June 1942
    13CDR. Hudson, Homer Bernard15 June 1942 - 25 June 1942
    14LCDR. Reed, Walter E.25 June 1942 - 3 January 1945
    15LCDR. Brodine, Charles Albert3 January 1945 - 7 September 1945
    16LT. Wilson, Harold James7 September 1945 - 16 January 1946
    Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves. Photos courtesy Bill Gonyo
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Fleet Tankers Association
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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    Last Updated 19 March 2021