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

Syncline YO-63


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Bravo - Romeo - Mike
NBRM
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Europe-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal



Syncline (YO-63) was sold to France and renamed RFS Lac Tchad (A631)
Bullwheel Class Fuel Oil Barge (Self-propelled):
  • Laid down in 1942 at RTC Shipbuilding Co., Camden, N.J.
  • Launched, 1 March 1943
  • Acquired by the US Navy and placed in service as Syncline (YO-63), 25 June 1943, allocated to the 3rd Naval District
  • During World War II Syncline was first assigned to the American Theater and later towed to North Africa for duty
  • While assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater Syncline shuttled fuel between Corsica, Sardinia, Algeria, Italy, and France
  • Placed out of service and leased to France, 16 March 1945
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 21 March 1949
  • Sold to French by the State Department, 21 March 1949, renamed RFS Lac Tchad (A631)
  • Laid up in reserve at Brest, France, 1958 to 1964
  • Reactivated in 1964 and assigned to the Pacific
  • Disarmed, 27 June 1972, redesignated Q-501
  • Final Disposition, sank in 1972 north of Tahiti.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 950 t.(lt) 1,731 t.(fl)
    Length 235'
    Beam 37'
    Draft 15' (max)
    Speed 10.6 kts.
    Cargo Capacity 10,000 Bbls
    Complement
    Officers 4
    Enlisted 30
    Armament unknown
    Propulsion
    Enterprise Diesel engines
    two propellers, 638shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image
    Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Syncline (YO-63)
    YO-63 162k Syncline (YO-63) underway off Camden, N.J., 21 June 1943, during builders trials.
    US Navy photo from RTC Shipbuilding Corp.
    Stan Svec
    RFS Lac Tchad (A631)
    YO-63 40k Ex-Syncline (YO-63) underway while in French service as RFS Lac Tchad (A631), circa 1968, location unknown.
    Official French Navy photo.
    Robert Hurst
    YO-63 56k RFS Lac Tchad (A631) underway, date and location unknown. Robert Hurst
    YO-63 50k RFS Lac Tchad (A631) underway, date and location unknown. Robert Hurst

    Syncline (YO-63)
    DANFS entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log

    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Yard and District Craft Photo Index Back To The Fuel Oil Barge (Self-propelled) 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 4 February 2011