USS MONONGAHELA

  • Name: USS MONONGAHELA
  • Ship Class: Destroyer Tender
  • Ship Number:
  • Date Commissioned: 1979-08-15 00:00:00 UTC
  • Status:

Ship History:

USS MONONGAHELA (AO 178)

MOTTO: “PRIDE IN SERVICE”

HISTORY OF THE USS MONONGAHELA

The first MONONGAHELA, a wooden sailing ship, saw duty during the Civil War and traveled as far as the Orient. At one time, she was the flagship of Admiral David G. Farragut. In the end, this MONONGAHELA burned and sank in a terrible fire at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in 1908.

The second MONONGAHELA also saw war action. After being commissioned in 1942, she earned 10 Battle Stars providing life-giving supplies in such places as Guadalcanal, the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The second MONONGAHELA was decommissioned in 1969.

AO(J) 178 is the third ship to bear the name MONONGAHELA. She earned her name from the river that winds through Pennsylvania and West Virginia, and it is one of the famous “The Rivers” that merge near Pittsburgh.

Today the MONONGAHELA stands ever ready to support the ships of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. Since being commissioned in 1981, this MONONGAHELA has traveled to many parts of the world, including: The Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, the North Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean Sea. In December 1991, she completed an eleven-month “Jumboization” in Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans, Louisiana, and returned to the Fleet as a greatly improved Fleet Oiler capable of delivering not only fuel, but also ammunition and supplies.

CHARACTERISTICS
The second of five CIMARRON Class Oilers. The keel was laid 15 August 1978, launched 1979 and commissioned on 28 May 1981. The ship was certified Fleet-ready on 30 June 1982, and it was “Jumboized” in 1991.

ORIGINAL JUMBOIZED

LENGTH 591 Feet 6 Inches 699 Feet 6 Inches
BEAM 88 Feet 88 Feet
DRAFT 31 Feet 4 Inches 31 Feet 6 Inches
DISPLACEMENT 26,000 Long Tons 34,800 Long Tons
SPEED 20 Knots 19 Knots
LIQUID CARGO PERCENTAGE QUANTITY

Diesel Fuel Marine 50% 75,000 Barrels
Jet Fuel 30% 45,000 Barrels
Convertible Fuel 20% 30,000 Barrels

ORDNANCE CARGO
625 Long Tons

DRY CARGO

Dry Provisions/Fleet Freight 360 Tons Refrigerated Food 60 Tons Lube Oil 125 – 55-Gallon Drums Bottled Gas 584 Cylinders Cargo ISO Containers 21 Containers

As a Combat Logistics Force Ship, the MONONGAHELA’s main mission is to support the Fleet through underway replenishment. She transports bulk petroleum products from shore depots to the other auxiliary ships, or directly to the combat forces underway. Besides her primary mission of supplying diesel fuel, marine and jet fuel, MONONGAHELA can carry supplies, mail, fresh water and ammunition. Several times MONONGAHELA has been called upon to use her own distilling equipment to supply fresh water to other ships in need.

Liquid cargo transfer is provided by STREAM (Standard Tensioned Replenishment Alongside Method) double-hose stations located on the port and starboard sides. For receiving fuel, there are double receivers on the port and starboard sides. Fuel delivery is controlled by the Ship’s Automated Liquid Cargo Control System.

There is one replenishment station located on each side to provide the capability to transfer cargo, Fleet freight and personnel. Both replenishment stations have a cargo boom for ship-to-shore transfer of supplies while the ship is in port. In addition, the ship has a flight deck aft for receiving and sending freight and passengers by helicopter.

Battle History:

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