Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USNS Victoria (T-AK-281)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Tango - Victor - Echo
 NTVE
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

National Defense Service Medal
Norwalk Class Cargo Ship:
  • Laid down, 20 January 1944, as SS Ethiopia Victory a Maritime Commission type (VC2-S-AP3) hull, under Maritime Commission contract (MCV 526), at Richmond, CA., by the Permanente Metals Corp., Shipbuilding Division
  • Launched, 20 April 1944
  • Delivered to the War Shipping Administration, 17 July 1944, for operation by Agwilines Inc.
  • Chartered by Waterman SS Corp., 19 July 1946 To A. L. Bank & Co., 10 August 1948, for deactivation
  • Transferred to the Maritime Commission for lay up, 28 July 1950 in the National Defense Reserve Fleet Wilmington, N. C.
  • Reactivated and chartered by Marine Navigation Co., 24 August 1950
  • Deactivated and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Olympia, WA., 4 September 1952
  • Reactivated and chartered by Olympic SS Corp., 26 March 1953
  • Deactivated and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Hudson River, N. Y., 6 October 1953
  • Reactivate and chartered by American Export Lines, 6 February 1957
  • Deactivated and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Hudson River, N. Y., 25 September 1957
  • Acquired by the US Navy, 18 August 1964
  • Converted to provide support services for the advanced FBM bases at Holy Loch and Rota at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
  • Renamed and designated USNS Victoria (T-AK-281), 22 May 1965
  • Placed in service in October 1965
  • Placed out of service, 18 August 1964, and laid up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River Group, Lee Hall, VA.
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 31 March 1986
  • Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 15 October 1987, to An-hsiung-Iron Steel Co.
    Specifications:
    Displacement 6,700 t.(lt) 11,199 t.(fl)
    Length 455' 3"
    Beam 62'
    Draft 23'
    Speed 19.7 kts.
    Complement 87
    Armament none
    Propulsion cross compound steam turbine, single screw, 8,500shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Source
    Victoria 107k USNS Victoria (T-AK-281) underway, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo from MSTS Mariner Magazine    		 Carl R. Friberg Jr.
    Victoria 93k USNS Victoria (T-AK-281) underway in 1967, location unknown.
    US Navy photo from 1967-68 edition of "Jane's Fighting Ships."    		 Robert Hurst
    USNS Victoria (T-AK-281)
    Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    MARAD Vessel History Database
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Force Ship Type Index Back To The Cargo Ship (AK) Photo Index
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 17 October 2014