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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191)

Henry J. Kaiser Class Fleet Oiler:

Laid down, 12 July 1986, at Pennsylvania Shipbuilding, Chester, PA.

Launched, 15 December 1988, without ceremony

Contract canceled 31 August 1989

Towed to Naval Shipyard Philadelphia, PA., 27 October 1989 along with USNS Henry Eckford (T-AO-192) for lay up

New contract awarded, 16 November 1989, to Tampa Shipbuilding to complete the ship

Christened USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191) at Tampa Shipbuilding, 7 December 1991

Tampa Shipbuilding defaulted on the contract and it was canceled, 15 August 1993

The 95% complete USNS Benjamin Isherwood was turned over to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet

Struck from the Naval Register, 29 December 1997

Title transfer to MARAD, 1 February 1999, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Lee Hall, VA.

Final Disposition, withdrawn from reserve, 12 July 1011, for towing to Brownsville, TX. for dismantling

Specifications:
Displacement 9,500 t.(lt) 42,382 t.(fl)
Length 677'
Beam 97' 5"
Draft 35' (max.)
Armament none
Cargo Capacity 178,000 bbls
Speed 20 kts.
Complement Civilian Mariners-18 Officers, 64 Merchant Seamen, Navy-1 Officer, 20 Enlisted
Aircraft helicopter platform only
Propulsion two medium speed Colt-Pielstick PC4-2/2 10V-570 diesel engines, twin shafts, 16,000 hp per shaft

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
148k	*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** under construction at the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding yard at Chester, PA., circa 1986-1989.	Ron Reeves
91k	*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** being tied up at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. 27 October 1989, after being towed from the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding yard at Chester, PA.	Ron Reeves
69k	*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** at Tampa Shipbuilding ready for Christening and turn over to the Maritime Administration in December 1991.	Jack Smith
260k	Christening ceremony pamphlet for *USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** held at Tampa Shipbuilding, 7 December 1991	Ron Reeves
99k	*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** Christening ceremony, 7 December 1991, at Tampa Shipbuilding, Tampa, FL.	Tommy Trampp
327k	*USNS Henry Eckford* (T-AO-192) and (inboard) USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191)** are moored at Tampa, FL., 19 February 1994. The two ships have been under construction since 1986, partially completed first by Penn Shipbuilding and then Tampa Shipbuilding. Final disposition has not yet been decided upon. The feasibility of converting them into ammunition ships is being studied. DVIC photo # DN-SC-94-02344 by OS2 John Bouvia, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the Defense Visual Information Center	Bill Gonyo
310k	*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191) tied up at the Norfolk Ship Building and Dry Dock Corp. Norfolk, VA., 26 August 1994. NORSHIPCO is preparing the ship for long term storage since the feasibility of converting her to an ammunition ship has been discarded. The guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60)** on the right, is under routine overhaul at NORSHIPCO. DVIC photo # DN-SC-95-00678 by Don S. Montgomery, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the Defense Visual Information Center	Bill Gonyo
307k	A starboard bow view of *USNS Henry Eckford* (T-AO-192) and USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191)** tied up at the Norfolk Ship Building and Dry Dock Corp. Norfolk, VA..26 August 1994. The two ships are being prepared by NORSHIPCO for long term storage as the feasibility of converting them to ammunition ships proved cost prohibitive. DVIC photo # DN-SC-95-00677 by Don S. Montgomery, a US Navy photo now in the collections of the Defense Visual Information Center	Bill Gonyo
71k	Ex-*USNS Henry Eckford* (T-AO-192) (left) and Ex-USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191)** (right) in reserve. Laid up in the MARAD National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA., April 2009. According to MARAD both ships are priced too high for foreign sale and cannot be used in US waters because they are single hulled tankers.	Photos by Mike Hibbard
58k		Photos by Mike Hibbard
29k	Ex-*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** laid up in the MARAD National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.	Ron Reeves
434k	Aerial view of Unit 7 of the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA., 28 January 1999. From bottom to top; unidentified, *Santa Cruz* Vulcan (AR-5), Redstone (T-AGM-20), 2 unidentified APs, GEN. N.M. Walter (T-AP-125), GEN. Wm. O. Darby (IX-510), Waccamaw (T-AO-109), Canisteo (AO-99), Caloosahatchee (AO-98), Mississinewa (T-AO-144), Pawcatuck (T-AO-108) Truckee (T-AO-147), Neosho (T-AO-143), Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191) and Henry Eckford (T-AO-192). These two oilers were both lay-berthed incomplete.
114k	Ex-*USNS Benjamin Isherwood* (T-AO-191)** bing dismantled at Brownsville, TX., August 2011. Photos courtesy Captain United.	Ron Reeves