Henry J. Kaiser class oiler
Encyclopedia
The Henry J. Kaiser class is an American class of eighteen fleet replenishment
oilers which began construction in August 1984. The class comprises fifteen oilers which are operated by Military Sealift Command
to provide underway replenishment of fuel to United States Navy
combat ships and jet fuel for aircraft aboard aircraft carriers at sea, one ship sold to Chile in 2009 and two laid up incomplete.
Patuxent, Laramie, and Rappahannock
differ from the other 15 ships in having double hulls to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
. Hull separation is 6 feet (1.83 m) at the sides and 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) on the bottom.
s were involved in the construction. Of the 16 completed ships, two -- John Ericsson
and Kanawha -- were contracted to Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Chester
, Pennsylvania
, for construction, and Avondale Shipyard
, Inc., of New Orleans
, Louisiana
, built the other 14.
Two ships of the class, Benjamin Isherwood and Henry Eckford, were cancelled prior to completion. Originally, their construction was contracted with the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia
, Pennsylvania
, which defaulted on the contract in 1989. Later work was performed under a new contract by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company
of Tampa
, Florida
, a division of the American Ship Building Company
. Disputes over corrective construction and materials costs between the U.S. Navy and Tampa Shipbuilding resulted in termination of the build contracts for these two vessels in 1993, with Henry Eckford 84 percent and Benjamin Isherwood 95.3 percent complete. The Navy determined that they no longer were needed as oilers, and a study of their potential conversion into ammunition ship
s concluded that such a conversion was cost-prohibitive. They were placed in an incomplete condition in long-term storage, were struck from the Navy List
in 1997, and will depart Virginia’s “Ghost Fleet” in July 2011 for Brownsville, Texas, where they will be recycled.
industrialist and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser
(1882–1967). The first nine ships were named for American shipbuilders, inventors, naval architects, and aeronautical engineers who played important roles in the history of the U.S. Navy, in some cases being the first U.S. Navy ships to be named for the men. The tenth through eighteenth ships were named after American
river
s, which is a more traditional naming convention for U.S. Navy oilers.
, with primarily civilian
crews. The 16 completed ships all have seen active service since joining the fleet between 1986 and 1996, although some have spent periods out of service in reserve or in a limited operational status.
Underway replenishment
Underway replenishment or replenishment at sea is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way.-History:...
oilers which began construction in August 1984. The class comprises fifteen oilers which are operated by Military Sealift Command
Military Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
to provide underway replenishment of fuel to United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
combat ships and jet fuel for aircraft aboard aircraft carriers at sea, one ship sold to Chile in 2009 and two laid up incomplete.
Technical Overview
There are stations on both sides of each ship for underway replenishment of fuel and stores. The ships in this class have a small capacity to carry and transfer fresh and frozen foods as well as other materials, and have two dry cargo transfer rigs.Patuxent, Laramie, and Rappahannock
USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204)
|...
differ from the other 15 ships in having double hulls to meet the requirements of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Oil Pollution Act of 1990
The Oil Pollution Act was passed by the 101st United States Congress, and signed by President George H. W. Bush, to mitigate and prevent civil liability for future oil spills off the coast of the United States....
. Hull separation is 6 feet (1.83 m) at the sides and 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) on the bottom.
Construction Program
The first ship, Henry J. Kaiser, was laid down on 22 August 1984, and construction continued until delivery of the final unit, Laramie, on 7 May 1996. Four shipyardShipyard
Shipyards and dockyards are places which repair and build ships. These can be yachts, military vessels, cruise liners or other cargo or passenger ships. Dockyards are sometimes more associated with maintenance and basing activities than shipyards, which are sometimes associated more with initial...
s were involved in the construction. Of the 16 completed ships, two -- John Ericsson
USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194)
|...
and Kanawha -- were contracted to Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Chester
Chester, Pennsylvania
Chester is a city in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States, with a population of 33,972 at the 2010 census. Chester is situated on the Delaware River, between the cities of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware.- History :...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, for construction, and Avondale Shipyard
Avondale Shipyard
Avondale Shipyard was an independent shipbuilding company, acquired by Litton Industries, in turn acquired by Northrop Grumman Corporation. Now, along with the former Ingalls Shipbuilding, the yard is part of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. The yard is located on the West Bank of the Mississippi...
, Inc., of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, built the other 14.
Two ships of the class, Benjamin Isherwood and Henry Eckford, were cancelled prior to completion. Originally, their construction was contracted with the Pennsylvania Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, which defaulted on the contract in 1989. Later work was performed under a new contract by the Tampa Shipbuilding Company
Tampa Shipbuilding Company
Tampa Shipbuilding Company, or TASCO, was a shipyard in Tampa, Florida. Started in 1917, it had three shipways in the years before World War II. It grew larger because of its involvement in the United States Maritime Commission's pre-war long-range shipbuilding program. During the war it...
of Tampa
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, a division of the American Ship Building Company
American Ship Building Company
The American Ship Building Company was the dominant shipbuilder on the Great Lakes before the Second World War. It started as Cleveland Shipbuilding in Cleveland, Ohio in 1888 and opened the yard in Lorain, Ohio in 1898...
. Disputes over corrective construction and materials costs between the U.S. Navy and Tampa Shipbuilding resulted in termination of the build contracts for these two vessels in 1993, with Henry Eckford 84 percent and Benjamin Isherwood 95.3 percent complete. The Navy determined that they no longer were needed as oilers, and a study of their potential conversion into ammunition ship
Ammunition ship
An ammunition ship is a warship specially configured to carry ammunition, usually for Navy ships and aircraft. Their cargo handling systems, designed with extreme safety in mind, include ammunition hoists with airlocks between decks, and mechanisms for flooding entire compartments with sea water in...
s concluded that such a conversion was cost-prohibitive. They were placed in an incomplete condition in long-term storage, were struck from the Navy List
Navy List
A Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval authorities of a country....
in 1997, and will depart Virginia’s “Ghost Fleet” in July 2011 for Brownsville, Texas, where they will be recycled.
Naming
The class is named for its lead unit, USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187), which in turn is named for the AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
industrialist and shipbuilder Henry J. Kaiser
Henry J. Kaiser
Henry John Kaiser was an American industrialist who became known as the father of modern American shipbuilding. He established the Kaiser Shipyard which built Liberty ships during World War II, after which he formed Kaiser Aluminum and Kaiser Steel. Kaiser organized Kaiser Permanente health care...
(1882–1967). The first nine ships were named for American shipbuilders, inventors, naval architects, and aeronautical engineers who played important roles in the history of the U.S. Navy, in some cases being the first U.S. Navy ships to be named for the men. The tenth through eighteenth ships were named after American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
s, which is a more traditional naming convention for U.S. Navy oilers.
Operations
The ships are in non-commissioned service in the Military Sealift CommandMilitary Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
, with primarily civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
crews. The 16 completed ships all have seen active service since joining the fleet between 1986 and 1996, although some have spent periods out of service in reserve or in a limited operational status.
Ships
| Photo | Ship | Hull No. | |NVR Page |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Henry J. Kaiser | T-AO-187 | Active—Southern California Duty Oiler | AO187 |
 |
Joshua Humphreys USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO-188) USNS Joshua Humphreys is a of the United States Navy. She was named for Joshua Humphreys, who designed the six original US Navy frigates.-Construction and delivery:... |
T-AO-188 | Inactivated 1996, returned to service 2005 | AO188 |
 |
John Lenthall USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) USNS John Lenthall is a of the United States Navy.-Construction and delivery:John Lenthall, the third ship of the Henry J. Kaiser class, was laid down at Avondale Shipyard, Inc., at New Orleans, Louisiana, on 15 July 1985 and launched on 9 August 1986. After entering non-commissioned U.S... |
T-AO-189 | Active | AO189 |
 |
Andrew J. Higgins | T-AO-190 | Inactivated May 1996. Sold to the Chilean Navy Chilean Navy -Independence Wars of Chile and Peru :The Chilean Navy dates back to 1817. A year before, following the Battle of Chacabuco, General Bernardo O'Higgins prophetically declared "this victory and another hundred shall be of no significance if we do not gain control of the sea".This led to the... May 2009. Towed to Atlantic Marine Alabama shipyard, Mobile, Alabama Mobile, Alabama Mobile is the third most populous city in the Southern US state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. It is located on the Mobile River and the central Gulf Coast of the United States. The population within the city limits was 195,111 during the 2010 census. It is the largest... , September 2009 for three-month refit. Commissioned to Chilean Navy on 10 February 2010 and renamed Almirante Montt.http://photos.al.com/4464/gallery/chilean_navy_ship_commissioned/index.html |
AO190 |
.jpg) |
Benjamin Isherwood | T-AO-191 | Cancelled when 95.3% complete, transferred to the Maritime Administration, laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet |
AO191 |
.jpg) |
Henry Eckford | T-AO-192 | Cancelled when 84% complete, transferred to the Maritime Administration, laid up in the James River Reserve Fleet |
AO192 |
 |
Walter S. Diehl | T-AO-193 | Active | AO193 |
 |
John Ericsson USNS John Ericsson (T-AO-194) |... |
T-AO-194 | Active | AO194 |
 |
Leroy Grumman | T-AO-195 | Active | AO195 |
 |
Kanawha | T-AO-196 | Active | AO196 |
 |
Pecos USNS Pecos (T-AO-197) |... |
T-AO-197 | Active | AO197 |
 |
Big Horn | T-AO-198 | Active | AO198 |
 |
Tippecanoe USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199) USNS Tippecanoe is a Henry J. Kaiser-class underway replenishment oiler operated by the Military Sealift Command to support ships of the United States Navy. She serves in the United States Pacific Fleet.... |
T-AO-199 | Active | AO199 |
 |
Guadalupe | T-AO-200 | Active | AO200 |
 |
Patuxent | T-AO-201 | Active | AO201 |
| Yukon USNS Yukon (T-AO-202) USNS Yukon is a underway replenishment oiler operated by the Military Sealift Command to support ships of the United States Navy.... |
T-AO-202 | Active | AO202 | |
 |
Laramie | T-AO-203 | Active | AO203 |
 |
Rappahannock USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204) |... |
T-AO-204 | Active | AO204 |