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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

US Army Tanker
Y-53

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Design 294 Harbor Tanker
  • Built by John H. Mathis Co., Camden, NJ (YN 159)
  • Laid down, date unknown
  • Launched, 12 October 1944
  • Delivered to the US Army Transportation Corps as Y 53, November 1944
  • Assigned to the Southwest Pacific Theater
  • Apparently kept in Army service postwar
  • Placed out of service, date unknown
  • Registered under Philippine flag to Delgado Brothers, Batangas, renamed Delbros Mt. Arayat, 1960
  • Final disposition, beached in leaky condition east of Palau (07° 35' 48" N 131° 41' 30" E), 24 February 1965
    Specifications:
    Displacement 633 tons
    Length 180'
    Beam 30'
    Draft 14'
    Speed 9 kts
    Complement 23 (including gun crew of 6)
    Armament two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Cargo Capacity 280,000 gallons
    Propulsion two Clark Bros. 4-cyl diesel engines
    twin screws, 700hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Y-53
    302005304    		 183k Y 53 on the ways at John H. Mathis Co., the day of her launching, 12 October 1944.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005305    		 197k Stern view of Y 53 on the ways at John H. Mathis Co., the day of her launching, 12 October 1944.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005306    		 205k Yard workers on bow of Y 53 awaiting her launching, 12 October 1944.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005307    		 210k Y 53's sponsor (name unknown) christens the new tanker, 12 October 1944.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005308    		 270k Y 53 enters the water for the first time, 12 October 1944.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005309    		 166k Y 53 at her fitting out berth, 13 October 1944. Note the yard number placard hung on her bow.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005310    		 230k Y 53 outfitting at John H.Mathis Co., 03 December 1944. She now carries her armament and appears ready for service.
    Mathis Collection, Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia, PA    		 Dave Wright
    Y-53
    302005301    		 49k US Army Coastal Tanker Y-53 under way, date and location unknown. Victor Iverson for his father,
    Ivar Kristian Iversen, Master Y-53
    (23 September 1945 - 16 July 1946)
    Y-53
    302005303    		 140k Ivar Kristian Iversen transfer orders from LT-647 to Y-53. Victor Iverson
    Y-53
    302005302    		 89k Statement of Service for Ivar Kristian Iversen (Norwegian)- From February 1944 Ivar Iversen was employed in US Army Transport Corps. He served in LT-133, TP-117, LT-647 and Y-53. Victor Iverson
    There is no history record available for Y-53 at NavSource
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The US Army Ship Index Back To The US Army Coastal Tanker Index
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    This page was created by Gary P. Priolo and is maintained by David L. Wright
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 16 June 2023