Waccamaw (AO 109) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 10 text:

--L 3 1 E 5 F E J 3 1 '1 I a - 1 I t S - , .JP 4-a. '. . Az. ' .bhf- ,6- fi4f .g . gm ' Mix Y .. YA -'H .v 751 MMAN NG O 'F CER I. Cilptain F. F. C1iffOI'd

Page 9 text:

THE CO ERSION STORY The conversion of WACCAMAW included what has be- come known in the shipbuildingtrade as a jumboization. This involved replacing the midbody' containing the cargo tanks with a new longer midbody having about 50 per cent greater cargo tank capacity. This operation consisted of five basic steps. First the bow was cut off and retained in the drydock while the rest of the ship was floated out. Next the new mid- body was floated in, raised and joined to the bow. The third step was the transfer of the bridge structure from the old midbody to the new by use of the heavy lift crane at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton. Next the stern section was severed and retained in drydock while the old midbody was floated out. In the last step the new midbody, with bow and bridge structure attached, was floated into the dock, raised and joined to the stern. Although replacement of the midbody was the single big- gest change, many other important improvements were made during conversion. A major modification was made to the stern including a new counterbalanced rudder, new stern casting and struts, and new shorter propeller shafts and stern tubes. The latest design in fueling and replenishment at sea equipment was added including kingposts with out- riggers, ram tensioned span wires and high lines, electric hydraulic winches, cargo elevators, helicopter pick-up area, and sliding blocks and cargo drop reels at replenish- ment stations. The pumping capacity was improved by the addition of new larger capacity electric driven cargo pumps, larger cargo piping and double hose fueling rigs. An auxiliary diesel generator plant developing 4500 KW was installed to provide power for the deck machinery and cargo pumps. Enclosed space was provided for stowage of fleet cargo, bottled gas and fleet mail. Habitability was improved by the air conditioning of all office and living spaces, installation of a new ship's store, library, barber shop and additional laundry equipment.

Page 11 text:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY U.S.S. WACCAMAW QAO-1091 FLEET POST OFFICE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 09501 Our cruise to the Mediterranean will be an active source of personal memories to each of us for years to come. More important, you of WACCAMAW have developed a reputation enjoyed by few ships - com- batant or auxiliary. You did the job when it most needed to be done. You broke several records of long standing such as number of ships replenished during a deployment, time from approach of a customer ship to commencement of pumping and the like. Icommend each and everyone of youfor this can do spirit which you showed on so many occasions when the chips were down. I am proud and honored to be your Captain. fi' ,ff F. F. CLIFFORD Captain, U. S. Navy C ommanding Officer