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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Housatonic (AO-35)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - India - Foxtrot - Whiskey
NIFW
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
  • During World War II USS Housatonic was first assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater and later to Asiatic-Pacific Theater and participated in the following campaign:
    Europe-Africa-Middle Campaigns
    Campaign and Dates
    North Africa occupation
    Actions off Casablanca, 8 November 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' 9" (lim)
    Speed 17 kts. (trial)
    Complement
    Officers 20
    Enlisted 219
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount
    four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts
    four twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    two twin 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity
    NSFO 116,700Bbls
    Gasoline 788,000Gals
    Ships Service Generators
    two 450Kw 240V D.C.
    one 50Kw 240V D.C.
    Fuel Capacity 9,960Bbls
    Propulsion
    one G.E. geared turbine
    two Babcock and Wilcox D-type boilers, 450psi 750°
    double G.E. Main Reduction Gears
    single propeller, 9.000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Housatonic 34k USS 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 USS Housatonic (AO-35) underway, date and location unknown. Her camouflage is measure 12(modified). Hyperwar US Navy in WWII
    Housatonic 27k USS Housatonic (AO-35) coming alongside USS 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
    Housatonic 890k USS Housatonic (AO-35) refueling USS Wilkes (DD-441) date and location unknown.
    From the collection of William J. Mosher located at the National Destroyermens Museum housed aboard the USS Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. (DD-850).    		 Ed Zajkowski.
    View the USS Housatonic (AO-35)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    No Information Available
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2009 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 1 April 2009