SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4)

Career
Name:	SS Curtiss
Builder:	Ingalls Shipbuilding
Laid down:	1 April 1968
Launched:	1 December 1968
Commissioned:	1 July 1969
Renamed:	USNS Curtiss (T-AVB-4), 14 May 1986
Status:	in active service, as of 2015
General characteristics
Class and type:	Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ship
Displacement:	8,106 long tons (8,236 t) light 23,800 long tons (24,182 t) full
Length:	602 ft (183 m)
Beam:	90 ft (27 m)
Draft:	30 ft (9.1 m)
Propulsion:	Geared steam turbine, single propeller
Speed:	18.7 knots (34.6 km/h; 21.5 mph)
Complement:	362(37 merchant mariners and 1 Aircraft Maintenance Detachment)

SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) is one of two Wright-class Aviation Logistics Support (Roll-on/Roll-off) Container Ships converted for the United States Navy in 1986.

Originally laid down 1 April 1968 at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. of Pascagoula, Mississippi as SS Mormacksky, ON 521302, IMO 6901830, a Maritime Commission type (C5-S-78) combination breakbulk, container, Ro-Ro vessel under Maritime Administration contract (MA 222) for Moore-McCormack Lines. Launched 1 December 1968, she was delivered to the Maritime Administration (MARAD) on 1 July 1969 and entered service with Moore-McCormack. After working for that line for only a short time the ship was sold to American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines and renamed SS Great Republic on 19 October 1970. In 1978 she was sold again to Farrell Lines without name change. The ship was turned over to MARAD in 1981. Converted and renamed USNS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) on 14 May 1986, she was assigned to MARAD Ready Reserve Force, (RRF), MSC PM-5 Sealift Program Office, Logistics Prepositioning Force. On 20 August 1990, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16 deployed aboard the Curtiss. This was the first time a MALS deployed aboard a T-AVB.^[1] In 2001, the activation exercise of the Curtiss named Pacific Provider 21 was held. This exercise was planned and executed by MALS-16 and was the largest activation of the ship since the Gulf War.^[2]

SS Curtiss are outfitted with both a stern ramp and side ports. The roll-on/roll-off deck runs the complete length of the ship. When outfitted with mobile facilities, the ships can service aircraft while anchored offshore.^[3]Curtiss provides support for Marine Corps helicopters and is maintained in reduced status ROS-5 (five day reactivation status) at Port Hueneme, California.

Currently USNS Curtiss is at Pier 9 Naval Station San Diego.

See also

• SS Wright (T-AVB-3)

References

• "T-AVB-4 Curtiss". Service Ship Photo Archive. Retrieved 19 June 2007.