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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

AO-35 Housatonic

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Foxtrot - Whiskey
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal (1)
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)
Chicopee Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, 30 April 1941, as SS Esso Albany for Standard Oil of New Jersey, at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Chester, PA.
  • Launched, 7 September 1941
  • Delivered to Standard Oil of New Jersey, 10 October 1941
  • Acquired by the US Navy and converted to a Fleet Oiler
  • Commissioned, USS Housatonic (AO-35), 9 January 1942
  • Decommissioned 11 March 1946, at San Francisco, CA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown)
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission, 22 October 1946
  • Commercial History
  • Sold to her former owners, Standard Oil of New Jersey, 15 October 1947, renamed SS Esso Bethlehem
  • Sold, 15 June 1962, to Sea-Land Ships Inc., renamed SS Los Angeles
  • Sold, 29 March 1963, to Beauregard Inc., converted to a containership in 1963
  • Sold. 13 November 1964, to Litton Industries Leasing Corp.
  • Sold, 28 February 1975, to Reynolds Leasing Corp.
  • Sold, 23 March 1978, to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd., for scrapping of bow and stern
  • Sold, 1 August 1978, to Reynolds Leasing Corp., renamed SS Sea-Land Pioneer
  • Re-flagged Bahamian, 18 June 1989
  • Sold, 14 July 1989, to Intersea Operations Ltd., Inc.
  • Final Disposition, scrapped, date unknown
  • Housatonic earned one battle star for World War II service
    Specifications:
    Displacement 5,375 t.(lt) 22,430 t.(fl)
    Length 520'
    Beam 68'
    Draft 30' 10"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement 279
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    two twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 131,600 barrels
    Propulsion geared turbines, single shaft. 9.000hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Housatonic 34k Housatonic (AO-35) underway, 21 October 1942, location unknown. Her camouflage is measure 12(modified).
    US Navy photo.    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Housatonic 34k Housatonic (AO-35) underway, date and location unknown. Her camouflage is measure 12(modified). Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    Housatonic 27k Housatonic (AO-35) coming alongside Ranger (CV-4) to begin a Replenishment at Sea, date and location unknown. Her camouflage is measure 12(modified). Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    Housatonic 150k Housatonic (AO-35) refueling Ranger (CV-4), date and location unknown. Her camouflage is measure 12(modified). Auke Visserīs ESSO Tanker web site
    View the Housatonic (AO-35)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Fleet Oiler (AO) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 16 November 2007