USS Puget Sound (AD-38)

USS "Puget Sound" (AD-38), a "Samuel Gompers"-class destroyer tender, was the second ship of the United States Navy to bear the name "Puget Sound".

Capabilities

With a complete repair department onboard, she could repair any surface ship that did not need a dry dock for hull repairs. A dive shop allowed for underwater repairs to be made, however such repairs were limited. Outfitted with two stationary center-mast main cranes, she could move heavy equipment to and from other ships or docks to be repaired and then reinstalled. Two smaller traveling cranes could move up and down each side of the aft portion of the ship's upper deck, which allowed equipment to be moved virtually anywhere needed.

AD-38 also had a full supply department that could provide any tended ships alongside with stores, such as food and drink, ammunition, fuel, water, and medical/dental services. Her administration department could serve as a floating Personnel Support Detachment (PSD) and a dispersing center for payroll. Her ship's store also served many personnel, both tended by and stationed aboard her, with personal items such as grooming supplies, snack foods, tobacco products, books, uniform articles, and more.

All offensive armament was removed from the ship in 1979 as part of the modifications to allow women to serve in the ship's crew. U.S. law at the time did not allow women to serve on combatent ships.

Service

"Puget Sound" was designated to perform repairs and maintenance of the U.S. Navy's shore and seagoing equipment. Serving in the Atlantic Fleet for her life span, she was homeported in Newport, Rhode Island; Gaeta, Italy; and Norfolk, Virginia. She served a portion of her life as the flagship for the Admiral in charge of the Sixth Fleet while homeported in Gaeta. She served during several conflicts, including the latter portion of the Vietnam War; the crisis in Lebanon; and Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield, and Operation Restore Hope. Instrumental to keeping the Atlantic Fleet afloat and mobile, she has repaired and resupplied most ships stationed or serving in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf. Additionally she could carry and support one SH-3 Sea King helicopter (or similar size aircraft) from her flight deck and hangar and did so during her years as 6th Fleet Flagship in Gaeta, Italy.

Specifications

The building contract was awarded December 29, 1964 to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. The keel was laid February 15, 1965, and she was launched September 16, 1966. Commissioned April 27, 1968, she served almost 29 years until decommissioned on January 27, 1996. She is currently (as of 2005) berthed at Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Hull markings

Displayed prominently on both sides of her bow, the "Puget Sound" bore a large white "D" followed by the numbers "38". As with most ships in the US Navy, the first letter of the ship's hull number was dropped when painted on the side of the bow.

In the "Puget Sound"s hull number "AD-38", the 'A' stands for 'Auxiliary'. She was not a fighting ship, rather a support ship. The 'D' stands for 'destroyer tender', as opposed to submarine tenders (AS). Finally, the "38" is her designation number separating her from other ships that are of the same type.

Painted across the stern on the third deck fantail, or the rear portion of the ship on the deck lowest to the water, was her name "Puget Sound".

ources

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p13/puget_sound-ii.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Puget Sound"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/0338.htm navsource.org: USS "Puget Sound"]