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Seakay (I)
T3-S2-A1
Sangamon Class Escort Carrier
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Ordered
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Laid down
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Launched
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Commissioned
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Decommissioned
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Stricken
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3 Jan 1938
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31 May 1938
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4 Mar 1939
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30 Oct 1940
24 Aug 1942
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-- --- 1942
21 Oct 1946
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1 Mar 1959
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Builder: Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Chester, Pa.
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( See photos below )
Named for a river in central South Carolina. One US warship had previously borne the name.
Built under a Maritime Commission contract (hull number 3) as the civilian tanker Seakay.
Acquired by the Navy on 18 October 1940; classified as a "Fleet Oiler", designated AO-29 and renamed Santee.
Designated for conversion to an "Aircraft Escort Vessel", was reclassified AVG-29 on 9 January 1942.
Converted to an aircraft carrier at the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Reclassified as an "Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated ACV-29, 20 August 1942.
Reclassified as an "Escort Carrier" and redesignated CVE-29, 15 July 1943.
Reclassified as an "Escort Helicopter Aircraft Carrier" and redesignated CVHE-29, 12 June 1955, while in reserve.
Fate: Sold on 5 December 1959 and scrapped in 1960.
Specifications (1942, as Converted)
Displacement (design): 11,400 tons standard; 24,275 tons full load
Dimensions (wl): 525' x 75' x 30' 7.5" (full load) / 160 x 22.9 x 9.3 meters
Dimensions (max.): 553' x 114' 3" / 168.6 x 34.8 meters
Armor: None
Power plant: 4 boilers (450 psi); 2 steam turbines; 2 shafts; 13,500 shp (design)
Speed: 18+ knots
Endurance: 23,920 nm @ 15 knots (with 4,780 tons of oil fuel)
Armament: 2 single 5"/51 gun mounts; 4 twin 40-mm/56-cal gun mounts; 12 single 20-mm/70-cal gun mounts
Aircraft: 25
Aviation facilities: 2 elevators; 1 hydraulic catapult
Crew: 830 (ship's company + air wing)
View the USS Santee (ACV-29 / CVE-29 / CVHE-29)
DANFS History entry located on the Hazegray & Underway Web Site.
The Miramar Ship Index for "SEAKAY"
IDNo:
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2238196
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Year:
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1939
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Name:
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SEAKAY
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Keel:
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Type:
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Tanker
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Launch Date:
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04.03.1939
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Flag:
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USA
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Date of completion:
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04.1939
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Tons:
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11340
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Link:
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-
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DWT:
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18300
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Yard No:
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173
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Length overall:
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168.6
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Ship Design:
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T3-S2-A1
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LPP:
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160.0
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Country of build:
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USA
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Beam:
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22.9
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Builder:
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Sun
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Material of build:
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Location of yard:
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Chester, Pa
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Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
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2ST-18
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Subsequent History:
1940 SANTEE -
[ 1942 converted to escort aircraft carrier, 11400 tons, extreme breadth 32.0 mtr ]
Disposal Data:
Stricken 01.03.1959, sold 05.12.1959 & scrapped at Hamburg 05.1960.
History :
ON
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LR/IMO
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ID
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Year
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Name
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Tons
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Change
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Registered Owner
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238196
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2238196
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1939
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SEAKAY
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11340
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Keystone Tankship Corp.
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AO-29
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2238196
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1939
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SANTEE
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11340
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1940
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U.S. Navy
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CVE-29
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2238196
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1939
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SANTEE
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11400
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1942
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U.S. Navy
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"Seakay" at unknown date date during construction.
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )
"Seakay" on March 29th 1939 after delivery to Keystone Shipping Company by Sun SB & DD Co., Chester, Pa.
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )
National defense~features fast tanker "Seakay", one of 12 ordered by the Standard Oil Company of New Iersey
in cooperation with U. S. Maritime Commission.
"Santee" AO-29 at unknown date and location before conversion, portside view.
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )
"Santee" AO-29 December 9th 1941 at Norfolk Naval Yard, starboardside
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )
"USS Santee (CVE-29)".
"USS Santee (CVE-29)".
"USS Santee (CVE-29)" at Guam, June 1944.
"USS Santee (CVE-29)".
"USS Santee (CVE-29)".
Sangamon Class. From U.S. Naval Ships & Aircraft (ONI 54-R), condensed and printed for FM 30-50, NAVAER 00-80V-57
(Recognition Pictorial Manual of Naval Vessels). Supplement 4 - 4 August 1943.
"Santee" as Auxiliary Carrier ACV-29 on September 11th 1942, shortly after commissioning, at Norfolk Naval Yard, port quarter view.
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )
"Santee" on October 16th 1942, starboardside looking aft.
( Photo thanks to Frank Gerhardt )