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

T-AO / T-AOT-165 American Explorer

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal
American Explorer Class Oil Transporter:
  • Laid down, 9 July 1957, as a Maritime Administration type (T-5-S-RM2a) tanker hull, under MARAD contract (MA 53) at Ingalls Shipbuilding Inc,, Pascagoula, MS.
  • Launched, 11 April 1958
  • Delivered to the Maritime Administration and turned over to the US Navy, 27 October 1959
  • Placed in service with MSC as USNS American Explorer (T-AO-165) to be operated under contract by a civilian firm
  • Reclassified as Oil Transporter (AOT-165) in September 1978
  • Placed out of service in September 1984, and returned to MARAD for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont TX.
  • Final Disposition, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 8,402 t.(lt) 31,300 t.(fl)
    Length 615'
    Beam 80'
    Draft 35' (max.)
    Speed 20+kts.
    Complement 47
    Armament none
    Propulsion two boilers, one steam turbine, single shaft
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    American Explorer 188k American Explorer (T-AOT-165) was launched as world's first nuclear tanker-to-be, but was completed with conversational steam plant."
    MSC Sealift Magazine
    US Navy photo    		 Carl R. Friberg Jr.
    American Explorer 61k American Explorer (T-AOT-165) underway, date and place unknown.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, May 1960     		Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    American Explorer 56k American Explorer (T-AOT-165) transiting the Panama Canal, date unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 Maritime Administration
    View the American Explorer (T-AO-165)
    DANFS history entry at the US Naval Historical Center web site.
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    Not Applicable to this Vessel
    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 Back To The Oil Transporter (AOT) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 25 February 2005