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.

The fifth Memphis (T-AO-162) was laid down as Esso Memphis under Maritime Commission contract by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester, Pa., 11 March 1944; launched 17 June 1944; delivered to Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey at New York City 28 June 1944; and acquired by the Navy under contract from the Maritime Commission 28 November 1956 and placed in service as Memphis the same day.

Assigned to MSTS 23 December, Memphis was operated under General Agency Agreement by Marine Transport Lines, Inc., of New York City. Besides regular tanker services through most of the next year, she played a vital role in the MSTS Arctic sealift operations. In June and July 1957, during the severest polar pack ice conditions on record, she carried petroleum and its byproducts in convoy to help establish and maintain the American bases along the DEW Line, completed that summer after 3 years of work.

On 13 September Memphis was struck from the Navy list, returned the same day to the Maritime Administration, and entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet at James River, Va. Converted to a floating powerplant at Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co., Newport News, Va., in late 1966, she was transferred to the U.S. Army in 1967 for service into 1968 in the harbors of South Vietnam.

Submitted by Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.

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 Memphis (T-AO-162) Main Page

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo