Arrow-class oil tanker
SS Broad Arrow photographed on March 28, 1918 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Arrow class |
| Builders | |
| Operators |
|
| Preceded by | Barques and clippers |
| Succeeded by | T2 |
| Built | 1916–1921 |
| In service | 1916–1959 |
| Planned | 14 |
| Completed | 12 |
| Cancelled | 2 |
| Lost | 5 |
| Scrapped | 7 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steam-powered oil tanker |
| Tonnage | Between 7,749 and 8,403 tons |
| Length | Between 467.6–468.3 ft (142.5–142.7 m) |
| Beam | 62.7 ft (19.1 m) |
| Draft | 26.0 ft (7.9 m) |
| Depth | 72–89 ft (22–27 m) |
| Propulsion | One triple-screw propeller |
| Speed | 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) |
| Boats & landing craft carried | 4-6 |
| Capacity | Between 82,148–99,742 bbl (13,060.5–15,857.7 m3) |
The Arrow class consisted of twelve steam-powered oil tankers constructed for the Standard Oil Company of New York (Socony) between 1916 and 1921, which operated under various subsidiaries, successive companies, and the US government throughout their combined 43 years of service, from 1917 until 1959. The tankers carried petroleum and other oil products in various capacities throughout their lifespans. While the ships were all designed for service in East Asia, many would sail all over the world to places like the Middle East or the Gulf Coast before the United States' entry into World War II. Five ships of the class would be sunk by German U-boats during the war, and the remainder were scrapped by the end of 1959.