Auke Visser's Famous T - Tankers Pages     |   home Index Harlem Heights T2-SE-A1 Suamico Class Fleet Oiler: Laid down, 27 September 1941, as Harlem Heights, a Maritime Commission type (T2-SE-A1) tanker hull, under Maritime Commission contract, (MC hull 319), at Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Chester, PA. Launched, 30 May 1942 Acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission, 27 June 1942 Commissioned USS Suamico (AO-49), 10 August 1942 Decommissioned, 20 January 1946 Struck from the Naval Register (date unknown) Transferred to the Maritime Commission for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet Reacquired, 24 January 1948, assigned to the Naval Transportation Service (NTS) to be operated under contract by American Pacific Steamship Co. Transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 1 October 1949 and placed in service as USNS Suamico (T-AO-49) Placed out of service (date unknown) Struck from the Naval Register 15 November 1974 Returned to MARAD for disposal Sold, 22 January 1975 Final Disposition, fate unknown. ( See photos below ) Specifications: Displacement 5,782 t.(lt) 21,880 t.(fl) Length 523' 6" Beam 68' Draft 30' Speed 15.5 kts. Complement 251 Armament one 5"/38 dual purpose gun mount, four 3"/50 guns, four twin 40mm gun mounts, four twin 20mm gun mounts Cargo Capacity 140,000 barrels Propulsion turbo-electric, single screw. 8,000hp.   USS Suamico (AO-49) ex. "Harlem Heigths". Forward plan view of Suamico (AO-49), moored at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 31 July 1943. On the left is Alchiba (AKA 6). ( Photo Darryl Baker )   Stern view of Suamico (AO-49) off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 31 July 1943. ( Photo Darryl Baker )   Broadside view of Suamico (AO-49) off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 31 July 1943. Suamico was in overhaul at Mare Island from 22 July until 31 July 1943. ( Photo Darryl Baker ) USS Suamico (AO-49) ex. "Harlem Heigths". USS Suamico (AO-49) ex. "Harlem Heigths". USS Suamico (AO-49) ex. "Harlem Heigths". ( Photo Joe Radigan )   USS Suamico (AO-49) ex. "Harlem Heigths". ( Photo Joe Radigan )