USS KAWISHIWI AO-146

SERVICE AT SEA

The Neosho class Naval Fleet Oiler mission is to provide logistical support to various units by transporting bulk petroleum products, fleet freight, mail and personnel from shore depots to combatants and support forces afloat and effecting delivery underway.

Kawishiwi is 655 feet long, 86 feet wide, is designed to travel at 20 knots and carry 180,000 barrels of cargo fuel. Six of these ships were built in the 50’s as the 1st streamlined Oilers. They were each designed specifically to replenishment a carrier task force while underway. They carried one-third more than the Cimarron Class.

The new Lewis and Clark T-AKE1 is 34ft. Longer

and 20 ft. wider, will make the same speed. The

extra space is for dry cargo and ammunition. She

will only carry 33,000 barrels of cargo fuel.

These plan sections give an idea of how Kawishiwi is constructed.

Photo right,

is of bow’s

5 inch 38 and

3 inch 50’s

3 in. during 1972 REFTRA

4 central tanks, surrounded by other tankswere designed for Aviation Fuel

Capt. J.P. Swain

1955-56

1956-57Capt. E.T. Hydeman

1957-58Capt. A.L. Gibelin

1958-59Capt. E.G. Gardner Jr.

1959-60 1960-61 1961-62

Capt. Capt. Capt.G.P. Joyce H.A. Seymour L.R. Vasey

COMMANDERS of USS KAWISHIWI AO-146

1962-63 1963-64 1964-65 1965-67 1967-68

Capt. Capt. Capt. Capt. Capt. F.T. Cooper R.L. Pitts C.S. Tanner M.J. Carpenter D.B. Edge

1989 MASTERof the USNSKAWISHIWI TAO-146

Captain Patrick Moloney MSCOther MSC Mastershave not been tracked down at this recording

1968-69 1969-70 1970-71 1971-73 1973-74

1974-76 1976-77 1977-78 1978-79

Capt. Capt. Capt. Capt. Capt.Joe Cady J.J. Meyer Jr. D.M. Wyand O.J. Bilderback J.L. Nickolson Jr.

Capt. Capt. Capt. Capt. E.J. Hogan F.S. Teague J.L. Finley J.C. Presley

How many of you were in the

SMOKE ROOM?The only access is via a hatch on the

01 Deck.

This area is just aft of theJUNGLE DECK. It is

mainly a sleeping area. In the 1st Div there is a red

spot marked photo. That photo is >>>

Original fuel transfer rigs were as show at station no.6 – right

A boom extended from a king post.After a couple years,

station no.8 was refitted with a“Ram Tension Span Wire”,

developed with the Otis Elevator Co.The king post had a counter weight

built within it..

Powerful winches, (operated bysteam) were used to handle thelines, lifting fuel hoses up andover the side to Kawishiwi’scustomers

Station 3’s three pumping stations. Notice each line has two valves

The Jungle Deck.

This view is from starboard

with tank 3S access hatch at right.

Inspecting tank 3S requires air tanks and mask because the is dead air down there.

The cross section at right

gives gives you an idea how far down the bottom of the tank is.

They have been scrubbed

clean many times

"AH What a beautiful morning - keep'em coming“

HUMPIN' and PUMPIN" Is Our Job Providing the Fleet With Fuel.

We're the Men of the Special "K" Where Excellence Is the Rule.

(1976)

Symbolic of the essential missionof Kawishiwi is this photo.

At first glance it appears as a complex tangle of wires, pulleys,

hoses, and saddles.It takes 7 to 10 men to make it work.

In the hands of well trained and coordinated men,

its operation is a pretty sight.

Here comes Enterprise

USS

Enterprise

CVN-65

In 1976

She sure

looks big

Wowit’s

gettingbigger

Heaving the Bolo in 1964 Replenishment at sea is a rough job. Watch a

ship come along side Kawishiwi and the

abyss between becomes a furious mass of

waves, the decks awash with water

(and often flying fish).

Sound powered phone circuits from nearly

every point on deck relay information to the

bridge - the command center.

From the first shot line to the final hook-up,

nearly 150 men--trained and proficient in their

tasks--execute the transfer of

vital fuel products to the ships of the fleet.

1973 View - How do they stand up?

 Line shot in 1972,right between the eyes.

Our main customers during the fall and winter 1962 deployment were USS KITTY KAWK (CVA-63) and her five destroyers;  USS De Haven (DD-727)USS Duncan (DDR-824)USS Frank Knox (DDR-742) USS Mansfield (DD-728)USS Swenson (DD-729).SEE THE PROBE IN CENTER OF “3”

Like with this other tanker in 1971

1964-During one of the longest and roughest work days of the cruise, teamwork and split second timing were vital. The men at station three prepare to send over a hose to an APA during Exercise Back Pack. The seas were running 8 to 12 feet, with winds holding steady at 37 knots, and it was wet and cold. Howell, boatswain mate in charge, was inundated seconds after this picture was taken. Waves between the two ships often became huge mountains of water, crashing against the sides and sending spray as high as 70 feet in the air.

1970  Underway training included a gun shoot on 2 February and an underway replenishments from USS Kawishiwi (AO-146) on 5 February.  While USS Denver

LPD-9 was alongside the port side of Kawishiwi with two fuel rigs connected, USS MONTICELLO LSD-35 made contact with Kawishiwi while approaching her

starboard side. Denver executed emergency breakaway procedures and no personnel or material casualties resulted on Denver. Kawishiwi and Monticello both received

minor damage, but both ships were left capable of carrying out assigned missions and no personnel were injured.  Underway replenishment was resumed after a short delay

and completed without further incident.  The commanding officer of Denver was directed to conduct an informal investigation of the incident.

OTHER COLLISIONS HAVE OCCURED

USS Gray DE-1054 was hosed with black oil in 1973 three times,

but still wouldn't come in close.

Who has guns big enough for these shells - in 1976.

Navy Special Fuel Oil NSFO, Has many times been sprayed over the customer ship. The hoses can break for many

reasons. Soap is used a lot.

Refueling is hard work, they need rest in the 1966 shade

Just turning

a valve

turns out a

sweat.

Then there is pulling on that line, in 1976

One of the rare times a carrier landed aircraft

while Unrepping from us.

. USS Hancock

CVA-19

1972

USS Newport News CA-148Along Side - 1972

Let us pray for those who have past on.

Navy HymnEternal Father, strong to save, whose arm hath bound the restless wave,

who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep, its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Christ, whose voice the waters heard and hushed their raging at thy word, who walkedst on the foaming deep, and calm amid the storm didst sleep;

O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

Most Holy Spirit, who didst brood upon the chaos dark and rude, and bid its angry tumult cease, and give, for wild confusion, peace:

O hear us when we cry to thee for those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of love and power, our brethren shield in danger's hour; from rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them wheresoe'er they go;

thus evermore shall rise to thee glad hymns of praise from land and sea. 

Words: William Whiting, 1860; Composer: John B. Dykes 1861;