USS Caloosahatchee
The USS Caloosahatchee was a Cimmaron class oiler of the United States Navy. The contract for her construction was awarded in May of 1944 to Bethlehem Steel Shipyards, in Sparrows Point, MD and her keel was laid in late November of 1944. She would become the first Navy vessel ever to be named after the Caloosahatchee River in Florida and was launched into active service in June of 1945. The vessel was commissioned on October 10th, 1945.
The propulsion system for the Caloosahatchee was a 4-boiler, two-propeller model and could achieve a top speed of 18 knots. She was 643 feet long and able to transport approximately 22,700 tons of fuel, 175 tons of ammunitions, and 100 tons of dry cargo. She featured a crew of 13 officers and 287 enlisted men. The vessel was armed with two Mk-26 7.6 mm guns.
The vessel underwent a “jumboization” modification in the mid 1960’s. In December of 1975, Caloosahatchee was in a minor collision while refueling in tepid seas West of Italy. In December 1980, the Caloosahatchee and USS America collide during a replenishment when America loses its rudder control. Although there was minor damage during both of these incidents, there are not reported injuries.
The Caloosahatchee was built to replenish our battle ships fighting in Europe and the Pacific. Without these vessels, critical supply lines would have broken down, compromising our war effort badly. Unfortunately, the brave men who served aboard these vessels were often exposed to asbestos, which was used in the ship’s plumbing and insulation fixtures. Inhaled asbestos fibers have been linked to a myriad of respiratory complications, including the rare cancer mesothelioma. Those who believe they may have been exposed should seek the advice of a physician or cancer specialist with experience in asbestos exposure.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
