USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Ponchatoula.
USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) at sea
USNS Ponchatoula (T-AO-148) at sea
History
United States
NameUSS Ponchatoula
NamesakePonchatoula Creek
Ordered28 January 1952
BuilderNew York Shipbuilding, Camden, New Jersey
Laid down1 March 1954
Launched9 July 1955
Commissioned12 January 1956
Decommissioned5 September 1980
In service1980
Stricken31 August 1992
IdentificationIMO number: 7737092
Honors and
awards		12 campaign stars (Vietnam)
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeNeosho-class oiler
Displacement
  • 11,600 long tons (11,786 t) light
  • 38,000 long tons (38,610 t) full
Length655 ft (200 m)
Beam86 ft (26 m)
Draft35 ft (11 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 geared turbines
  • 2 boilers
  • 2 shafts
  • 28,000 shp (20.9 MW)
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Capacity180,000 bbl (29,000 m3)
Complement
  • USS : 324
  • USNS : 106 Civilian mariners, 21 Navy
Armament

USS Ponchatoula (AO-148) was one of six Neosho-class fleet oilers built for the United States Navy, in service from 1956 to 1992, and named for the Ponchatoula Creek which rises in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana, and flows into the Natalbany River, west of Ponchatoula, Louisiana. She was the second U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name.

Ponchatoula was laid down at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, Camden, New Jersey, on 1 March 1954, launched on 9 July 1955, sponsored by Mrs. I. N. Kiland, and commissioned on 12 January 1956.