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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 USN 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

Current Disposition, laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet, Lee Hall, VA.

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
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
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

There is no DANFS history for USNS Benjamin Isherwood (T-AO-191) at NavSource

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not Applicable to this Vessel

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
No Information Available

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Last Updated 22 February 2008