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USS Monongahela (AO 178)

- decommissioned -

USS MONONGAHELA was the second ship in the CIMARRON - class of fleet oilers and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name. During her service life the ship has traveled to many parts of the world, including: The Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, the North Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans and the Caribbean Sea. In December 1991, she completed an eleven-month "Jumboization" in the Avondale Shipyard, New Orleans, Louisiana, and returned to the Fleet as a greatly improved Fleet Oiler capable of delivering not only fuel, but also ammunition and supplies.

The MONONGAHELA was decommissioned and stricken from the Navy list on September 30, 1999, and is now berthed at the James River Reserve Fleet, Fort Eustis, VA, awaiting final disposal.

General Characteristics:Awarded: August 9, 1976
Keel laid: August 15, 1978
Launched: August 4, 1979
Commissioned: September 5, 1981
Decommissioned: September 30, 1999
Builder: Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, LA
Propulsion system: two 600psi Boilers (Automated Steam)
Propellers: one
Length: 700 feet (213.4 meters)
Beam: 88 feet (26.8 meters)
Draft: 32 feet (9.7 meters)
Displacement: approx. 37,000 tons
Speed: 19 knots
Capacity: 150,000 barrels of fuel oil or aviation fuel and several tons of additional goods
Aircraft: none, but helicopter platform
Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS
Crew:15 officers and 215 enlisted


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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS MONONGAHELA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.


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About the Ship's Coat of Arms:

The dark blue of the shield is symbolic of the seas of the world. The colors blue and gray allude to the Civil War service of the first USS MONONGAHELA, including participation in the Battle of Mobile Bay. The gold compass rose refers to the high degree of seamanship and navigational skill required in the transfer of fuels at sea. The light blue and white roundel at the center signifies fresh water (in reference to the Monongahela River) and the three bars indicate the number of ships of that name which have served this country.

The Indian's head is an allusion to the Indian origin of the ship's name and to the motto. The stars on the headdress denote the ten battle honors earned by the second USS MONONGAHELA (AO 42) for World War II service in the Pacific Theater. The Korean symbol with ribbons signifies service in the Korean Conflict.



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Accidents aboard USS MONONGAHELA:

DateWhereEvents
November 1, 1989off the coast of Spain
Fire in the engine room of USS MONONGAHELA injures nine.
November 13, 2009James River, off Fort Eustis, Va.
MONONGAHELA is breaking free from her moorings during heavy storms while laid-up in the mothball fleet on the James River. After drifting half a mile the ship is running aground on a sand bank. No oil spills or damage were reported.


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The photos below were taken by me on October 30, 2010, and show the MONONGAHELA laid up on the James River in Virginia.



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