USS Pontotoc

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Pontotoc (AVS-7).jpg
USS Pontotoc (AVS-7)
History
US flag 48 stars.svgUnited States
NamePontotoc
Namesake
Orderedas type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2160 [1]
Builder Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Yard number326 [1]
Laid down15 January 1944
Launched2 July 1944
Commissioned22 March 1945
Decommissioned26 April 1946
Reclassified
  • prior to launch, Miscellaneous Auxiliary
  • 25 May 1945, Aviation Stores Issue Ship
Refitprior to 22 March 1945, converted to Gwinnett-class Aviation Stores Issue Ship
Stricken8 May 1946
Identification
FateSold to France, 14 August 1947
Civil and Naval Ensign of France.svg Republic of France
NameTaurus
OperatorMessageries Maritimes
Acquired14 August 1947
Fatereflagged to Morocco, 1960
Naval Ensign of Morocco.svg Morocco
NameTadjera
Acquired1960
FateScrapped, 1968 [1]
General characteristics [2]
Class and type
Type C1-M-AV1
Tonnage5,010 long tons deadweight (DWT) [1]
Displacement
  • 2,382 long tons (2,420 t) (standard)
  • 7,450 long tons (7,570 t) (full load)
Length388 ft 8 in (118.47 m)
Beam50 ft (15 m)
Draft21 ft 1 in (6.43 m)
Installed power
Propulsion1 × propeller
Speed11.5  kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Capacity
  • 3,945 t (3,883 long tons) DWT
  • 9,830 cu ft (278 m3) (refrigerated)
  • 227,730 cu ft (6,449 m3) (non-refrigerated)
Complement
  • 15 Officers
  • 70 Enlisted
Armament

USS Pontotoc (AK-206/AG-94/AVS-7) was an Alamosa-class cargo ship acquired by the US Navy shortly before the end of World War II. She was converted into a Gwinnett-class aviation stores issue ship to carry aviation parts and spares, and to issue them to the US Pacific Fleet and activities as needed.

Contents

Construction

Pontotoc was laid down for the US Maritime Commission (MARCOM), MC hull 2160, by Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, 15 January 1944; classified AK-206 on 25 February 1944; launched 2 July 1944; acquired from MARCOM on a loan-charter basis 28 February 1945; reclassified AG–94 on 12 March 1945; and commissioned 22 March 1945. [3]

After shakedown, Pontotoc transited the Panama Canal and arrived Pearl Harbor 18 April 1945. Reclassified as Gwinnett-class aviation stores issue ship AVS-7 effective 25 May, Pontotoc steamed for the Philippine Islands, reporting for duty 8 July at Guiuan, Samar, Philippine Islands. She provided aviation stores on station in the Philippines through the end of hostilities. [3]

Post-war inactivation

Pontotoc then proceeded to the 12th Naval District. She decommissioned and was delivered to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) 26 April 1946, at San Francisco, California. She was struck from the Navy List 8 May 1946. [3]

Merchant service

She was sold 14 August 1947, to the French firm Messageries Maritimes, and renamed Taurus. In 1960 she was sold to Morocco and renamed Tadjera. [2] [4]

Notes

    Citations
    1. 1 2 3 4 C1 Cargo Ships 2009.
    2. 1 2 Navsource 2013.
    3. 1 2 3 DANFS 2015.
    4. MARAD.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

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