USS Ponchatoula (AOG-38)

History
United States
NameUSS Ponchatoula
NamesakePonchatoula Creek
Orderedas T1-M-A2 tanker hull
Laid down7 June 1944
Launched30 July 1944
Commissioned6 October 1944
Decommissioned24 April 1946
Stricken31 May 1946
IdentificationIMO number5244871
FateFate unknown, but see also USS Ponchatoula (AO 148)
General characteristics
Tonnage1,228 long tons deadweight (DWT)
Displacement846 tons(lt) 2,270 tons(fl)
Length220 ft 6 in
Beam37 ft
Draught17 ft
PropulsionDiesel direct drive, single screw, 720 hp
Speed10 knots (19 km/h)
Complement62
Armamentone single 3 in (76 mm) dual purpose gun mount, two 40 mm guns, three single 20 mm gun mounts

USS Ponchatoula (AOG-38) was a Mettawee-class gasoline tanker acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of transporting gasoline to warships in the fleet, and to remote Navy stations.

Ponchatoula was laid down under United States Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1801) by the East Coast Shipyards, Inc., Bayonne, New Jersey, 7 June 1944; launched 30 July 1944; sponsored by Miss Cynthia Tenety; delivered to the Navy 30 September 1944; and commissioned 6 October 1944.