Ashtabula (AO-51) Class: Photographs
| These photographs were selected to show the original configuration of this class and major subsequent modifications. For more views see the former NHHC (now Hyperwar) Online Library of Selected Images and the NavSource Photo Archive. |
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USS Elokomin (AO-55) Off Sparrows Point, Baltimore, Md., on 1 December 1943 just after commissioning.the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 19 March 1940 after her preliminary conversion there. The assisting tug is Justine of the Curtis Bay Towing Company. Tugs like this appear in many photos of ships built or converted at Baltimore. Photo No. 19-N-55696 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
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USS Ashtabula (AO-51) Fully loaded circa 1944. Her anti-aircraft armament has been upgraded to include four 40mm twin mounts. Photo No. 19-N-72463 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
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USS Tolovana (AO-64) Probably shown just after her completion in February 1945. Note the Baltimore harbor tug assisting. Photo No. 19-N-79035 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
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USS Tolovana (AO-64) An overhead view taken by NAS Hampton Roads on 3 March 1945 showing the distribution of her armament near the end of the war. She has a single 5"/38 on the stern, four 3"/50 singles in pairs at the ends of the ship, four 40mm twins with one at each end and two on the midship house, and eight 20mm guns on the stern and amidships. . Photo No. 19-N-79035 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
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USS Chikaskia (AO-54) Underway, probably circa 1953-55, with all four 3"/50 single mounts removed. She had them in images dated 4 November 1952. The forward 40mm quad mount was also removed, leaving the forecastle unarmed. Later views show her armament further reduced to 2-3"/50 singles aft. Sister Chipola lost her four 3" guns in 1952, recovered them by 1954, and lost the forward pair again by 1962 (below). Tolovana lost her four in 1951 but recovered them all for good by 1957. Photographed by Allied Photographers, San Francisco. Photo No. None Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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USS Aucilla (AO-56) At anchor on 4 December 1955. Her forward quadruple 40mm mount has been removed but the rest of her armament remains. Photo No. USN 664979 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
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USS Chukawan (AO-100) Underway in April 1957. Note the hoses suspended from the booms at all four fueling stations to port and the destroyer alongside to starboard. She has her full 1950s armament. Photo No. USN 1015706 Source: Shipscribe |
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USS Severn (AO-61) Underway on 13 February 1959 after refueling USS Tarawa (CVS-40). The aft refueling stations on both sides have been strengthened and transformed into a large goalpost mast, an enhancement that was also applied to other Navy oilers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Her forward 40mm gun position is empty. Photo No. USN 1045536 Source: Shipscribe |
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USS Elokomin (AO-55) Underway off the Virginia Capes on 20 July 1961. Her armament has been reduced to 4-3"/50 singles, two forward and two aft. This became the standard configuration for the class during the 1960s. Photo No. USN 1069872 Source: Shipscribe |
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USS Chipola (AO-63) In the Pearl Harbor channel on 17 April 1964. Three of her after refueling stations (two to port and one to starboard) have been strengthened by providing heavier kingposts with large angled tops. The ship has only two 3"/50 guns, both aft, as in Chikaskia, above. Photo No. KN-9500 Source: Shipscribe |
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USS Cacapon (AO-52) Underway on 12 January 1972. Photo No. K-92247 Source: Shipscribe |
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USNS Marias (T-AO-57) Underway circa the 1970s as a civilian-manned MSTS replenishment tanker. Note the reinforced refueling stations aft. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
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