Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162)
ex
 USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112) (1949 - 1960)
 Mission Capistrano (AO-112) (1947 - 1949)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Echo - India
 NBEI
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
National Defense Service Medal
Mission Buenaventura Class Fleet Oiler:
  • Laid down, 29 February 1944, as SS Mission Capistrano a Maritime Commission type (T2-SE-A2) tanker hull (MC hull 1819) under a Maritime Commission contract at Marinship, Sausalito, CA.
  • Launched, 7 May 1944
  • Delivered to the Maritime Commission, 14 June 1944, for charter to Pacific Tankers Inc. for operation
  • Returned to the Maritime Commission, 20 April 1946, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Mobile, AL.
  • Acquired by the Navy, 17 November 1947
  • Assigned to the Naval Transportation Service (NOTS), and placed in service as SS Mission Capistrano (AO-112)
  • Absorbed into the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) 1 October 1949 and placed in service as USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112)
  • Placed out of service, and struck from the Naval Register, 1 January 1955
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX.
  • Reacquired by the Navy, and reassigned to MSTS control, 5 July 1956
  • Converted at Todd Shipyard, New Orleans, LA., to Miscellaneous Auxiliary (Sound Testing Ship)
  • Reclassified (AG-162), 1 July 1960
  • Placed in service as USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162), date unknown
  • Placed out of service and struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Transferred to the Maritime Administration, 15 September 1970, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group
  • Sold for non-transportation purposes, 10 July 1972, to Boston Metals Co.
  • Resold, 15 March 1973, to Mission Drilling and Exploration Corp., converted to drilling rig, renamed SS Mission Exploration
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 21,880 t.(fl)
    Length 524'
    Beam 68'
    Draft 30' (max)
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement 52
    Armament none
    Propulsion Turbo-electric, single screw, 6000hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112)
    Mission Capistrano 795k USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112) underway in the Port of Long Beach, date unknown David Buell
    Mission Capistrano 1275k USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112) docking/undocking at Berth 232, Port of Los Angeles, date unknown. David Buell
    Mission Capistrano 89k USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112) moored pierside, Port of Los Angeles, Berth 232, date unknown. David Buell
    Mission Capistrano 44k USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112), undergoing conversion to (AG-162), at Todd Shipyards New Orleans, LA., circa early 1960. Bill Valashinas
    USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162)
    Mission Capistrano 57k USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo.     		Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Mission Capistrano 30k View of USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162)'s ultra-high-powered sonar transducer array. MASSA web site
    View the USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AO-112 / T-AG-112)
    DANFS     history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    U.S. Navy Oilers
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Fleet Oiler (AO) Photo Index Back To The Miscellaneous Auxiliary (AG) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 24 July 2009