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| USN Victoria Class Fleet Oiler: 4,650 Tons 454' x 56' x 28' 1 x 5"/38 cal DP gun 4 x 3"/50 cal DP gun 2 x Twin 40mm AA 4 x Twin 20mm AA  USN May 28, 1944 |
Ship History Built by Union Iron Works in San Francisco, CA. Launched 1917 as USS George G. Henry owned by the Pan-American Petroleum and Transport Company. World War I Service Commissioned in the U.S. Navy (USN) August 28, 1918 as USS George G. Henry (ID-1560) with LtCdr Henry F. Weeden in command at New York. On August 29, 1918 departs New York loaded with with aviation fuel and medical stores and crosses the Atlantic to Le Havre in France then returns via Spithead and Plymouth in the United Kingdom then back to New York. On September 29, 1918 in the Atlantic, her lookouts spot German U-Boat I-152 on the surface 5,000 yards away and open fire with her deck guns then escapes at high speed zig-zagging to avoid gunfire from the submarine, but was hit in the aft magazine and caused fires on the stern. Damaged, the ship turned to bring the bow gun to bear and kept the enemy away with accurate gunfire and laid a smokescreen. The U-152 resumed fire and hit the tanker wounding 14 aboard and the last shells on the stern were fired. At 10:25am the submarine submerged ending the action. On October 3, 1918 after midnight while returning roughly 110 miles east of Cape Sable turned to avoid an incoming convoy of ships and accidentally collided with Navy collier Herman Frasch sinking the ship. Afterwards, deployed her life rafts and used her search lights to search for survivors and rescued 65 of her crew. Decommissioned and struck from the Navy on May 21, 1919 and returned to Pan-American Petroleum and Transport Company. During 1932, acquired by Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. During July 1940 due to U.S. Neutrality Act, ownership was transfered to Panama and was instead operated by Panama Transport Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil. Company. After repairs at Solomon's Island in Maryland, operated between ports in South America transporting fuel to ports on the east coast of the United States and Canary Islands. World War II Service On April 15, 1942 reacquired by the U.S. Navy (USN) under a bareboat charter at Yarraville near Melbourne and recommissioned as USS George G. Henry (AO-46) with LtCdr Jens G. Olsen, USNR in command who was a former boatswain aboard before 1918 with a crew of 13 officers and 162 sailors and departs for Sydney. On April 20, 1942 named "Victor" incorrectly. On April 25, 1942 renamed USS Victoria (AO-46) for the Victoria River in Australia and underwent conversion, overhaul and fitting out at Mort's Dock and Engineering Co. on Garden Island in Sydney Harbor. After conversion became a Victoria Class Fleet Oiler with a capacity of 4,483 barrels of crude oil (bbls). On November 18, 1942 departs Sydney loaded with fuel and joins a convoy with SS Paul Revere, SS Benjamin Franlin and SS William Williams escorted by two RAN corvettes HMAS Whyalla (J153) and HMAS Townsville and while underway were joined by Australian Corvette D-74 that serves as an anti-submarine screen. On November 21, 1942 arrives Cleveland Bay off Brisbane and the next day departs for Townsville. Victoria refuels warships and cargo vessels in the Townsville area and operates from Challenger Bay, Palm Islands and Dunk Island Harbor then returns to Brisbane on December 24, 1942. PARTIAL HISTORY On November 8, 1943 while anchored at Porlock Harbor relieved of refueling duties by USS Trinity (AO-13) at 12:15pm that moored to the starboard side. At 12:23pm, P-38H Lightning pilot 2nd Lt. John J. Durkin ditched off the starboard bow and remained afloat for two minutes before sinking. At 12:28pm the pilot was rescued by their launch as the first rescue performed by the crew during World War II. He was brought aboard and underwent a medical examination. Afterwards, transfers remaining fuel and fresh water to USS Trinity (AO-13). At 4:10pm departs Porlock Harbor and the next day arrives Milne Bay then departs for Brisbane. On November 15, 1943 arrives Brisbane and undergoes engine repairs and crew rest. On December 15, 1943 LtCmd William W. Evans takes command. On December 19, 1943 refueled departs for Townsville as part of a convoy with eleven ships, three LCI and three escorts. Two days later, the convoy disperses and Victoria proceeds to Cleveland Bay off Townsville. On December 24, 1943 departs with convoy TN 197 with sixteen ships and four escorts bound for Milne Bay arriving four days later and the same day ordered to Buna. On December 29, 1943 arrives Buna and begins operations to refuel Allied ships. On December 31, 1943 transfered remaining fuel to USS Trinity (AO-13) and the next day departs for Milne Bay arriving January 2, 1944 and is refueled by SS Corinth then begins refueling of Allied ships. On January 25, 1944 refuels HMAS Shopshire at sea and two days later departs for Buna with USS YMS-73, USS SC-741 and USS SC-650. On January 28, 1944 moors alongside USS Trinity (AO-13) and discharges fuel to her then departs for Milne Bay arriving January 30, 1944 and refueled. PARTIAL HISTORY Postwar On January 8, 1946 struck from the Navy register. On March 15, 1946 resumed service with Standard Oil of New Jersey. During April 1948, sold to Panama. Fate Final disposition and fate unknown. Likely sold for scrap and broken up. Awards For her World War II service, earned four battle stars: Eastern New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Hollandia operation and supporting the 7th Fleet. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) George G. Henry Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) Victoria II (AO-46) "Even her last day at Porlock Harbor was lively. An Army Air Corps [sic Army Air Force] P-38 Lightning from the 471st [sic 431] Fighter Squadron went down nearby, and her pilot, 2d Lt. Fred [sic John] Durkin, USAAF, parachuted into the water near the ship." Shipscribe - USS Victoria (AO-46) NavSource - USS Victoria (AO-46) (photos) NARA USS Victoria War History page 4 (Page 4) "8 November 1943 2nd Lieut. Fred [sic John J.] Durkin, U.S.A.R. [USAAF], pilot of U.S. Army P38 [P-38H] plane No. 117 of Fighter Squadron 471 [sic 475th Fighter Group, 431rd Fighter Squadron], made an emergency landing near the ship and was immediately rescued by the ship's crew." NARA USS Victoria War History November 1943 page 10 "12-16 Anchored [Porlock Harbor] as before. 1215" U.S.S. Trinity [AO-13] moored alongside to starboard. 1223 U.S. Army P38 type plane made emergency landing about three hundred yards off starboard bow. 1225 plane sank. 1228 Motor launch picked up Second Lieutenant Fred [John J.] Durkin, U.S.A.R., pilot of plane 117, fighter squadron 471 [sic 475th Fighter Group, 431st Fighter Squadron]. 1232 Second Lieutenant Durkin, U.S.A.R. was brought aboard and examined by medical officer. No noticeable injuries sustained." Contribute
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