American Explorer (T-AO 165) 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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NS American Explorer (MA hull 53) A preliminary George Sharp design for the nuclear powered 20-knot T5 tanker American Explorer that was to follow the 18-knot T5 Maumee (T-AO 149) class. The ship was launched without superstructure and with the design still incomplete before the nuclear power project was cancelled. She was completed with steam propulsion and a conventional three-island design. Photo No. None Source: Adapted from "A Pipeline Pipe Dream, Tanker American Explorer," by Captain Terry Tilton, USN, Ret., in PowerShips No. 308 (Winter 2019), page 38. |
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USNS American Explorer (T-AO 165) Ingalls hull 469, MA hull 53, contract no. MA 1150 (from the sign at the pier head) essentially complete in late 1959 but probably still in the builder's hands. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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USNS American Explorer (T-AO 165) Probably an early view, with MSTS stack colors but without a MSTS name prefix. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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USNS American Explorer (T-AO 165) With the "U.S. Naval Ship" name prefix but probably without the MSC seal on the stack, which was carried by most MSC ships between about 1973 and 1985. Her upperworks are haze gray, the hull from the tank deck down to the load waterline is black, and the hull below that is red. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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USNS American Explorer (T-AO 165) Mathiasen's Far East rendezvous in Cam Ranh Bay on 22 April 1970 involving three MSTS tankers under their operation including the T2 tankers Cowanesque (T-AO 79, center) and Millicoma (T-AO 73) plus the gasoline tanker Chattahoochee (T-AOG 82). All have the name prefix "U.S. Naval Ship." Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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USNS American Explorer (T-AO 165) With the "U.S. Naval Ship" name prefix and the MSC seal on the stack. The ship appears to be all white above the load waterline. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC) |
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