Specifications:
Displacement 6,809 t.(lt) 22,325 t.(fl)
Length 520'
Beam 68'
Draft 30'
Speed 18 kts.
Complement 352
Armament one single 4" gun mount, four single 3"/50 gun mounts, twelve 20mm guns
Cargo Capacity 135,000 barrels
Propulsion geared turbine, single screw, 12,800hp
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82k | Information submitted by George F. Pless USS Patuxent Patuxent (AO-44) on fire as a result of an internal explosion in the paint locker on the foc'sle while off Iwo Jima, 17 February 1945 two days prior to the invasion on 19 February 1945. Waterman (DE-740) and Dewey (DD-349) distinguished themselves in subduing the flames and saving Patuxent for further service. Lt. Cdr. J.H. Stahle of Waterman was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions. Other DE's that came to the aid of Patuxent included Weaver (DE-741), Lamons (DE-743_, Kyne (DE-744) and Bangust (DE-739). Silverstein (DE-539) escorted the Patuxent back to Saipan and from there she went back to Ulithi where repairs were made. Patuxent returned to duty and served until the war ended; sailing into Tokyo Bay two days after the Surrender was signed on the Missouri (BB-63). The original caption for this picture was near correct. Iwo Jima had not yet been invaded but was under heavy pre-invasion bombardment. The two ships seen of either side of the smoke funnel from Patuxent are probably the Waterman and Dewey streaming water on the flames. Also note the color of the water in the open sea approximately 65 miles off Iwo Jima compared to the relatively shallow water in Ulithi Atoll. Original US Naval Historical Center Caption reads "Mississinewa (AO-59) sinking at Ulithi, 20 November 1944. The capsized ship's bottom can be seen at the base of the flames, with bow or stern toward the left. NOTE: Identification is provisional. The original caption reads: " Casualty at Iwo Jima -- While the battle raged ashore, a U.S. Tanker goes up in flame and smoke as the result of enemy action." The identity of this ship, if lost at Iwo Jima, is unknown. However, the circumstances seen in the photo appear to be correct for the loss of Mississinewa. The presence of many anchored cargo ships and oilers, plus the several fleet tugs and salvage ships, looks more like Ulithi than Iwo Jima." US National Archives photo 80-G-K-5570, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the US National Archives. |
US Naval Historical Center | |
View the Patuxent (AO-44)
DANFS History entry located on at the US Naval Historical Center web site
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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