About this Unit
USS Chewaucan (AOG-50) was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in October 1944, Chewaucan was tasked with transporting gasoline and other petroleum products to warships and remote naval stations, playing a critical logistical role in the Pacific theater. After the war, she continued her service in the Far East, supporting occupation forces and fleet operations. Decommissioned in 1957, the vessel was later transferred to the Colombian Navy, where she served as ARC Almirante Padilla.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Chewaucan (AOG-50) was named after the Chewaucan River in Oregon, following the Navy tradition of naming gasoline tankers after rivers with Native American names.
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Class and Type: Chewaucan was a Patapsco-class gasoline tanker, specifically designed for the dangerous duty of transporting gasoline to warships and remote naval stations.
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Launch and Commission: The ship was launched on 4 September 1944 by Cargill, Inc. in Savage, Minnesota, and commissioned into service on 1 May 1945.
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World War II Service: Although commissioned near the end of World War II, Chewaucan supported occupation forces in Japan, delivering gasoline and lubricants to several ports in the Far East.
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Postwar Operations: After WWII, Chewaucan continued to serve in the Pacific, operating out of Pearl Harbor and supporting the U.S. Trust Territories and various islands in the Pacific until 1955.
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Reserve and Recommissioning: Placed in reserve in 1955, Chewaucan was recommissioned in 1961 as part of the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), continuing logistics operations.
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Dangerous Cargo: As an AOG (gasoline tanker), Chewaucan's duty was considered highly hazardous due to the volatile cargo—any enemy action or accident could have catastrophic consequences.
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International Service: In 1972, Chewaucan was transferred to the Colombian Navy and served as ARC Tumaco (BT-7), extending her service life under a new flag.
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Ship's Motto: Like many fleet oilers and tankers, Chewaucan’s unofficial motto emphasized her vital but often overlooked role: “You can’t fight without fuel.”
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Legacy: Ships like Chewaucan played a critical role in enabling fleet operations far from home ports, demonstrating the importance of logistics and support vessels in naval history.
