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.
.jpg) USS Pontotoc (AVS-7)
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | Pontotoc |
| Namesake | |
| Ordered | as type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2160[1] |
| Builder | Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin |
| Yard number | 326[1] |
| Laid down | 15 January 1944 |
| Launched | 2 July 1944 |
| Commissioned | 22 March 1945 |
| Decommissioned | 26 April 1946 |
| Reclassified |
|
| Refit | prior to 22 March 1945, converted to Gwinnett-class Aviation Stores Issue Ship |
| Stricken | 8 May 1946 |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sold to France, 14 August 1947 |
 Republic of France | |
| Name | Taurus |
| Operator | Messageries Maritimes |
| Acquired | 14 August 1947 |
| Fate | reflagged to Morocco, 1960 |
 Morocco | |
| Name | Tadjera |
| Acquired | 1960 |
| Fate | Scrapped, 1968[1] |
| General characteristics [2] | |
| Class and type |
|
| Type | C1-M-AV1 |
| Tonnage | 5,010 long tons deadweight (DWT)[1] |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 388 ft 8 in (118.47 m) |
| Beam | 50 ft (15 m) |
| Draft | 21 ft 1 in (6.43 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 1 × propeller |
| Speed | 11.5 kn (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
| Complement |
|
| Armament |
|
Construction edit
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]
edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
- Citations
Bibliography edit
Online resources
- "Nicollet". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain. - "C1 Cargo Ships". www.ShipbuildingHistory.com. 28 August 2009. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- "Pontotoc (AG-94/AVS-7)". Navsource.org. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- "Pontotoc (AK-206/AVS-7)". United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
External links edit
- Photo gallery of USS Pontotoc (AVS-7) at NavSource Naval History
