Ashtabula (AO 51) - Naval Cruise Book

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x The USS ASHTABULA QAO-51D known throughout the fleet as the FLYING A was named in honor of the Ashtabula River in Ohio. Built by the Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland and launched in August of 1943, the ASHTABULA sailed via the Panama Canal to Samoa where she became a service unit of the South Pacific Fleet. The ASHTABULA operated in the vicinity of the Marshall Islands from May until September of 1944. On the 22nd of October, she proceeded to Leyte Gulf and commenced refueling members of the task group assembled there. While operating in that area. the ASHTABULA came under air attack and a torpedo hit the num- ber six wing tank and it exploded, there were no fire or per- sonnel casualties. Within an hour, the ship had a thirteen and one half degree list to port. The following day three more planes flew over the convoy but were driven off by gunfire. One of the planes appeared on the port bow of the ASHTABULA and was shot down before it could turn away. In April of 1945, the ASHTABULA collided with the USS THORNTON CAVD-IID. The THORNTON sighted the task unit and in the confusion of trying to avoid them, she turned directly into the path of the ASHTABULA. The ASHTABULA'S bow struck the THORNTON amidships causing considerable damage. The THORNTON was taken under tow while the ASHTABULA, undamaged, continued servicing the fleet during the remainder of the war. In 1954 the ASHTABULA suffered a tragic ex- plosion in Sasebo, japan. Gasoline fumes from the forward tanks ignited from a welding spark and the forward well deck was literally blown off the ship. But the ships basic structure , f,,,,,,.,r

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was undamaged and she continued to serve the Pacific Fleet as she had in the past. In January of 196o, the FLYING A returned to the United States to participate in the Everett, Washington Armed Forces Day Celebration. The ship's company marched in the parade through town and then an Open house was held aboard ship. Over seven thousand people took advantage of this opportunity to visit the ASHTABULA. More recently, in june and july of 1961, the FLYING A received a well done from Commander Seventh Fleet for having seventy seven ships alongside in one month. In one thirty six day period, the ASI-ITABULA spent only thirty nine hours in port. In September, the ship once again returned to Long Beach to service the First Fleet. . Emerging from a lengthy four month yard period in February 1963, the ASI-ITABULA underwent a month of refresher trai- ning in the San Diego area. It was a proud moment when the ASI-ITABIILA learned she had received the highest grade given to a Fleet AO in seven years. As it had practically every year since 1944, ASHTABULA de- ployed once again in july of 196 5. After breaking practically every record for a Westpac cruise including 33 ships in one twenty four hour period, and refueling over Kl4OO ships during the cruise the ASHTABLILA returned home to Long Beach, tired, after much work, but proudly wearing its going home pennant over I8O feet long, knowing that 1965-66 had indeed been an outstanding year in the glorious, if not glamorous, career of a grand lady of the sea.