USS Manatee (AO-58)

• Namesake: USS Manatee (AO-58) was named after the manatee, a large aquatic mammal also known as the sea cow, and was the second US Navy ship to bear the name. • Class and Type: She was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler, designed to supply fuel and other supplies to ships at sea, crucial for the Navy's global operations. • Laid Down and Launched: Manatee was laid down on February 21, 1944, at Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland and launched on July 6, 1944. • World War II Service: She played a vital role during WWII, supporting the fast carrier task forces in the Pacific by refueling them at sea during the final assaults on Japan. • Kamikaze Danger: While operating near Okinawa in 1945, Manatee and her crew faced constant threat from Japanese kamikaze attacks, but she escaped major damage. • Post-War Operations: After WWII, Manatee continued to serve during peacetime, supporting occupation forces in the Far East and Navy operations worldwide. • Korean War Service: She was recommissioned for the Korean War, providing underway replenishment to United Nations naval forces off the Korean Peninsula. • Vietnam War Contributions: Manatee saw extensive action during the Vietnam War, supporting the US Seventh Fleet by refueling ships off the coast of Vietnam. • Long Service Life: The ship served the US Navy for more than 30 years, from 1944 until her decommissioning in 1973, showing the durability and importance of fleet oilers. • Final Fate: After decommissioning, Manatee was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1973 and sold for scrapping in 1975, ending her long and distinguished career.