USNS Mission Santa Cruz (AO-133)
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|
|
| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | 26 June 1943 |
| Launched: | 8 September 1943 |
| Commissioned: | 31 December 1943 |
| Decommissioned: | n/a |
| Fate: | Unknown |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 5,532 tons light; 21,880 tons full |
| Length: | 524 ft (160 m) |
| Beam: | 68 ft (21 m) |
| Draft: | 30 ft (9 m) |
| Speed: | 16.5 knots (31 km/h) |
| Complement: | 52 mariners |
| Armament: | None |
The USNS Mission Santa Cruz was one of twenty-seven Mission Buenaventura Class fleet oilers built during World War II for service in the United States Navy, named for the Franciscan mission located in Santa Cruz, California.
Mission Santa Cruz was laid down 26 June 1943 under a Maritime Commission contract by Marine Ship Corporation, Sausalito, California; launched 8 September 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Frank C. Sewell; and delivered 31 December 1943. Chartered to Deconhill Shipping Corporation for operations, she spent the remainder of the War carrying fuel to our forces fighting in the Pacific (during which time she was awarded the National Defense Service Medal). She remained in this capacity until 3 June 1946 when she was returned to the Maritime Commission and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Mobile, Alabama.
Acquired by the Navy 24 October 1947 she was placed in service with the Naval Transportation Service as Mission Santa Cruz (AO-133). Placed under the operational control of the new Military Sea Transportation Service 1 October 1949 she was redesignated USNS Mission Santa Cruz (T-AO-133). She served with MSTS until 23 November 1954 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Beaumont, Texas.
Reacquired by the Navy 10 July 1956 she was placed in service with MSTS and served until 4 December 1959 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration and laid up in the Maritime Reserve Fleet at Mobile. Reacquired by the Navy 31 May 1960 Mission Santa Cruz was placed in service with MSTS once again and into 1969 she was still faithfully serving MSTS carrying fuel to our forces and allies overseas.
The ship's final disposition is unknown.
[edit] References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Mission Santa Cruz. Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Retrieved on April 3, 2006.
- T-AO-132 Mission Santa Cruz. Fleet Oiler (AO) Photo Index. Retrieved on April 3, 2006.
