USNS Richard G. Matthiesen (T-AOT-1124)

History
United States
Namesake:	Richard G. Matthiesen
Owner:	Maritime Administration
Operator:	Military Sealift Command
Builder:	American Ship Building Company, Tampa, Florida
Acquired:	February 18th 1986
In service:	February 18th 1986
Out of service:	March 31 2011
Struck:	March 31 2011
Honors and awards:	National Defense Service Medal Southwest Asia Service Medal Kuwait Liberation Medal
Fate:	Transferred to the Maritime Administration
General characteristics
Type:	Type 5 Oil tanker
Tonnage:	21,471 tons (empty)
Displacement:	33,095 tons (full)
Length:	617 ft 2 in (188 m)
Beam:	91 ft 6 in (28 m)
Draft:	28 ft 4 in (9 m)
Propulsion:	1 Sulzer 5RTA 76 diesel; 18,400 hp sustained; 1 shaft
Speed:	33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph)
Capacity:	237,766 barrels of oil fuel
Complement:	24 civilians, 18 civilians (reduced operating status)
Armament:	None
Aviation facilities:	Landing pad

USNS Richard G. Matthiesen (T-AOT-1124) was one of four tankers, known as T5s, with double hulls ice-strengthened for protection against damage during missions in extreme climates. She was part of Military Sealift Command's Sealift Program, transporting fuel for the Department of Defense. Richard G. Matthiesen had missions including refueling the National Science Foundation in Antarctica and Thule Air Base in Greenland. She was named after Richard G Matthiesen, a Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal recipient.

Richard G. Matthiesen went out of service on March 31 2011 and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal.

References

• This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
• Article about delivery of fuel to Antarctica
• Richard G. Matthiesen citation