USS Canisteo (AO-99)
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 USS Canisteo (AO-99) in the Mediterranean Sea, 1951 |
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| Career (US) |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | as T3-S2-A3 tanker hull, MC hull 2561 |
| Laid down: | 11 November 1944 |
| Launched: | 6 July 1945 |
| Commissioned: | 3 December 1945 |
| Decommissioned: | 2 October 1989 |
| Struck: | 31 August 1992 |
| Fate: | sold for scrapping |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 7,236 t.(lt) 25,440 t.(fl) |
| Length: | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Beam: | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Draught: | 32 ft (9.8 m) |
| Propulsion: | . steam turbines, four boilers, two shafts, 13,500 shaft horsepower , twin screws, 30,400hp |
| Speed: | 18 kts |
| Capacity: | 146,000 barrels |
| Complement: | 22 officers, 362 enlisted |
| Armament: | one single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount; four single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts; four twin 40mm AA gun mounts; four twin 20mm AA gun mounts |
USS Canisteo (AO-99) was an Cimmeron-class fleet oiler constructed for the U.S. Navy in the closing days of World War II.
Canisteo (AO-99) was launched 6 July 1945 by Bethlehem Steel-Sparrows Point Shipyard, Inc., Sparrows Point, Maryland, under a Maritime Commission contract; sponsored by Mrs. J. N. Chambers; and commissioned 3 December 1945, Lieutenant Commander E. L. Denton, USNR, in command.
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[edit] Post-World War II operations
Canisteo cleared Norfolk 4 February 1946 for Melville, Rhode Island, where she loaded diesel oil for naval units taking part in the occupation of Germany. Returning from Bremerhaven and Farge, Germany, she carried out training operations in the Caribbean, and then sailed to Iceland and Greenland, returning to New York City 27 May.
[edit] Participating in Antarctic exercises
The tanker sailed south from Norfolk 27 November 1946 as a unit of Operation Highjump, the largest Antarctic expedition to that time. Steaming through the Panama Canal to the Antarctic, Canisteo reached Scott and Peter Islands, and through her logistic support, played a critical role in this historic exploratory and scientific project, carrying on the Navy's traditional role in expanding man's frontiers. Canisteo returned to Norfolk 23 April 1947 after calling at Rio de Janeiro and Caribbean ports.
[edit] North Atlantic operations
Between 4 June 1947 and 23 October 1948, Canisteo served four tours of duty supporting the U.S. 6th Fleet by carrying oil from Bahrain to the Mediterranean. The winter and spring of 1948-1949 found Canisteo operating on fueling duty from Norfolk, Virginia, to Caribbean ports; Argentia, Newfoundland; and Grondal, Greenland. A pattern of alternating exercises in the Caribbean with overhauls and tours of duty in the Mediterranean in the following years was highlighted by her fueling in support of many fleet exercises.
She played a part in augmenting the growing strength of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization through Operation Mainbrace (26 August-11 October 1952) and in combined operations with Canadian forces (16-20 September 1956). Active with the Fleet, Canisteo continued to operate out of Norfolk through 1960, participating in fleet and NATO exercises.
[edit] Final decommissioning
Canisteo was decommissioned 2 October 1989 and struck from the Naval Register, 31 August 1992. She was transferred to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia. Final Disposition: she was sold for scrapping to Able UK, Hartlepool, Teeside, England, and removed from the Reserve Fleet and, during October 2003, was under tow to the United Kingdom.
[edit] Military honors and awards
Canisteo's crew were authorized the following medals:
- Navy Battle "E" Ribbon
- American Campaign Medal
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Europe clasp)
- National Defense Service Medal (2)
- Antarctic Service Medal
- Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (1-Cuba, 1-Dominican Republic)
- Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation (2)
[edit] References
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
