USS Nitro (AE-23)
Encyclopedia
USS Nitro (AE–23), an ammunition ship in the U.S. Navy, was laid down by Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s Sparrows Point Shipyard, Baltimore, Maryland, 20 May 1957; launched 25 June 1958; sponsored by Mrs. Randolph McCall Pate; and commissioned 1 May 1959, Capt. Warren C. Hall in command.
After shakedown in the Caribbean, Nitro was welcomed at her homeport, Davisville, Rhode Island
After lengthy 2nd Fleet exercises she joined the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean in February 1960, returning in September. She was back in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1961, returning to Norfolk 3 March 1962. During April and May she supported 2d Fleet exercises in the Caribbean. On 6 September she steamed for an operational and good will visit to Northern Europe, returning to Earle, N.J., 15 October. From 11 November to 24 November, Nitro sailed to the Caribbean in support of the Task Force engaged in the quarantine of Cuba
. She returned to Davisville 24 November.
On 6 February 1963 Nitro departed for 6th Fleet operations, returning to Davisville 24 September. After overhaul at Brooklyn
, she operated in the Caribbean and off the east coast until 17 July 1964 when she again deployed to the Mediterranean, returning 5 February 1965. She spent the rest of the year in Davisville and operating in the Caribbean until 16 November when she again steamed east for Gibraltar
. She returned from the Mediterranean 22 March 1966.
On 18 May her status was changed to in commission in reserve for conversion at Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Baltimore
where she remained until recommissioned “special” 31 August 1967. She got underway 16 October to operate off the east coast and at year’s end was back at Davisville. She continued her alternating service with the 2nd and 6th Fleets into the 1990s.
Nitro (AE-23) was decommissioned on 28 April 1995 and struck from the Naval Register on 14 August of the same year. She was laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Portsmouth (Virginia, USA). On 31 March 2000 she was turned over to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
, James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia.
After shakedown in the Caribbean, Nitro was welcomed at her homeport, Davisville, Rhode Island
Davisville, Rhode Island
Davisville, Rhode Island was the former home of the U.S. Navy SeaBees. It was located at Quonset Point on Narragansett Bay, an area now included in the town of North Kingstown. The Navy acquired the property in 1939 and built Naval Air Station Quonset Point...
After lengthy 2nd Fleet exercises she joined the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean in February 1960, returning in September. She was back in the Mediterranean in the summer of 1961, returning to Norfolk 3 March 1962. During April and May she supported 2d Fleet exercises in the Caribbean. On 6 September she steamed for an operational and good will visit to Northern Europe, returning to Earle, N.J., 15 October. From 11 November to 24 November, Nitro sailed to the Caribbean in support of the Task Force engaged in the quarantine of Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. She returned to Davisville 24 November.
On 6 February 1963 Nitro departed for 6th Fleet operations, returning to Davisville 24 September. After overhaul at Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, she operated in the Caribbean and off the east coast until 17 July 1964 when she again deployed to the Mediterranean, returning 5 February 1965. She spent the rest of the year in Davisville and operating in the Caribbean until 16 November when she again steamed east for Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
. She returned from the Mediterranean 22 March 1966.
On 18 May her status was changed to in commission in reserve for conversion at Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
where she remained until recommissioned “special” 31 August 1967. She got underway 16 October to operate off the east coast and at year’s end was back at Davisville. She continued her alternating service with the 2nd and 6th Fleets into the 1990s.
Nitro (AE-23) was decommissioned on 28 April 1995 and struck from the Naval Register on 14 August of the same year. She was laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Portsmouth (Virginia, USA). On 31 March 2000 she was turned over to the Maritime Administration for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet
National Defense Reserve Fleet
The National Defense Reserve Fleet consists of "mothballed" ships, mostly merchant vessels, that can be activated within 20 to 120 days to provide shipping for the United States of America during national emergencies, either military or non-military, such as commercial shipping crises.The NDRF is...
, James River, Fort Eustis, Virginia.