USNS Mission San Fernando

USNS Mission San Fernando
History
United States
NameMission San Fernando
NamesakeMission San Fernando
OwnerNaval Overseas Transportation Service (NOTS)
OperatorPacific Tankers, Inc.
BuilderMarinship Corporation, Sausalito, California
Laid down26 August 1943
Launched25 November 1943
In service29 February 1944
Out of service10 May 1946
FateTransferred to the US Navy, 21 October 1947
United States
NameMission San Fernando
Owner
  • NOTS (21 October 1947 – 1 October 1949)
  • Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) (1 October 1949–)
OperatorUnion Oil Co.
Acquired21 October 1947
Out of service24 May 1955
Stricken22 June 1955
IdentificationHull symbol: T-AO-122
FateReacquired by the Navy, 21 June 1956
United States
NameMission San Fernando
OwnerMSTS
OperatorMarine Transportation Lines
Acquired21 June 1956
In service21 June 1956
Out of service4 September 1957
IdentificationHull symbol: T-AO-122
FateReacquired by the Navy, 28 September 1964
United States
Name
  • Muscle Shoals (1964–1965)
  • Vanguard (1965–)
Namesake
OwnerMilitary Sea Transportation Service
Acquired28 September 1964
In service28 February 1966
RenamedVanguard, 1 September 1965
Reclassified
  • Missile Range Instrumentation Ship (AGM)
  • Navigational Test Launch Ship (AG) (September 1980)
Stricken13 December 1999
Identification
FateScrapped, 5 November 2013
General characteristics
Class & typeMission Buenaventura-class oiler
Displacement
  • 5,532 long tons (5,621 t) light
  • 21,880 long tons (22,231 t) full
Length524 ft (160 m)
Beam68 ft (21 m)
Draft30 ft (9.1 m)
PropulsionTurbo-electric, single screw, 6,000 hp (4.47 MW)
Speed16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Complement52
ArmamentNone

SS Mission San Fernando was a Type T2-SE-A2 tanker built for the United States Maritime Commission during World War II. After the war she was acquired by the United States Navy as USS Mission San Fernando (AO-122). Later the tanker transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service as USNS Mission San Fernando (T-AO-122). She was a member of the Mission Buenaventura-class oiler and was named for Mission San Fernando Rey de España in Los Angeles. She was later renamed USNS Muscle Shoals (T-AGM-19) (after Muscle Shoals, Alabama), and, later, USNS Vanguard (T-AG-194).