List of auxiliaries of the United States Navy

Ships grouped alphabeticallyShips grouped by type

This is a list of auxiliaries of the United States Navy. It covers the various types of ships that support the frontline combat vessels of the United States Navy.

Auxiliary ships which function as hospital ships and as oilers are to be found in their own articles: List of United States Navy hospital ships and List of United States Navy oilers. Escort carriers, amphibious warfare vessels, and some mine warfare vessels were also originally classed as auxiliaries but were later given their own hull classification symbols outside the auxiliary series (which all begin with an 'A'). Links to these and other list articles of similar ships can be found throughout this article.

Yard and district craft also function as auxiliaries but generally are smaller and less capable than their ocean-going counterparts, and so they generally remain in harbors and coastal areas. Their hull classification symbols begin with a 'Y'.

Ship status is indicated as either currently active [A], ready reserve [R], inactive [I], or precommissioning [P]. Ships in the inactive category include only ships in the inactive reserve, ships which have been disposed from US service have no listed status. Ships in the precommissioning category include ships under construction or on order.

Listed ship classes will often state 'MA type' or 'MC type'. The difference is that 'MC Type' refers to ships designed by the United States Maritime Commission aka MarCom, while 'MA Type' refers to ships designed or converted under MarCom's successor agency, the United States Maritime Administration or MarAd. They are in fact the same designs, and the year 1950 is the date at which MarAd succeeded MarCom.

Historical overview

Prior to the creation of the auxiliary hull classification system, ships that performed such tasks had no symbol or code to identify them, only informal designations such as Fleet Collier No. 1.

World War I

During World War I the Navy created the Section patrol (SP) and identification number (ID) system to register civilian vessels for naval acquisition. The ID series can be considered a forerunner of the current auxiliary hull numbering system, and some ships with ID numbers were later given 'A' hull symbols.

Also during WWI a series of mass-produced ships were designed by the Emergency Fleet Corporation, but few were completed before the end of the war and even fewer became naval auxiliaries.

Pre-World War II

Until World War II the US auxiliary fleet was notable for being composed of non-standard ships which had been purchased ad-hoc. Very few were designed specifically for their intended role.

Interesting examples from the 1920's of rare early auxiliaries deliberately designed for their roles include the destroyer tenders USS Dobbin (AD-3) and USS Whitney (AD-4), the repair ship USS Medusa (AR-1), and the submarine tender USS Holland (AS-3): these 4 ships had the same length hulls and similar superstructures, so they were likely of the same basic design.

In the late 1930's the Navy began the construction of 22 large tenders and repair ships to a new basic design: all were nearly identical in hull form, power plant, and superstructure (but the seaplane tenders had a large hangar that the others lacked):

• 5 destroyer tenders (AD)s of the Dixie-class
• 4 repair ships (AR)s of the Vulcan-class
• 7 submarine tenders (AS)s of the Fulton-class
• 2 seaplane tenders (AV)s of the Curtiss-class
• 4 seaplane tenders (AV)s of the slightly longer Currituck class

The last of these 22 ships (the submarine tender Sperry) was scrapped in 2011.^[1]

Also at this time the Navy began the construction of 4 large net layers (AN)s and 3 minelayers (CM)s to a different basic design, but changing requirements resulted in all but one minelayer being redesignated as transports (AP)s and then converted into Landing ships, vehicle (LSV)s.^{[A 1][2]}

World War II

During the naval build-up for World War II over 700 vessels of Maritime Commission (MarCom, later MarAd) standard designs were converted to US Navy auxiliaries,^{[A 2]} as were a few Landing Ships Medium (LSM)s:

• 58 Type B barracks barges: all APL
• 83 Type C1 ships: 2 AE, 3 AG,^{[A 3]} 2 AGOR, 2 AGP, 3 AH, 61 AK, 2 AP, 4 APC, 1 ARG, 3 AVS
• 59 Type C2 ships: 15 AE, 3 AF, 22 AK, 5 AKS, 13 AP, 1 AVS
• 63 Type C3 ships: 12 AD, 29 AP, 5 AR, 11 AS, 6 AV
• 42 Type C4 ships: 6 AH, 2 AK, 34 AP
• 107 Type EC2 Liberty ships: 63 AK, 4 AKN, 17 AKS, 5 AR, 14 ARG, 2 ARV, 2 AVS
• 2 Type ET1 Liberty ships: both AW
• 26 Type R ships: all AF
• 88 Type S3 ships (most LSTs): 14 AGP, 5 AKS, 7 APB, 1 APL, 13 ARB, 2 ARC, 39 ARL, 3 ARST, 2 ARVA, 2 ARVE
• 76 T1 tankers: all AOG
• 4 T2 tankers: 1 AG, 1 AOG, 2 AW
• 79 Type V ships: all AT
• 34 Type VC2 Victory ships: 3 AG,^{[A 4]} 29 AK, 2 AKS
• 4 LSMs: all ARSD

Post World War II

During the Cold War over 100 United States Maritime Administration (MarAd) standard designs were converted to US Navy auxiliaries:^{[A 5]}

• 8 Type C1 ships: 1 AF, 5 AGM,^{[A 6]} 2 AGS^{[A 7]}
• 3 Type C2 ship: 2 AE, 1 AG^{[A 8]}
• 4 Type C3 ships / CVEs: all AKV
• 4 Type C4 ships: 1 AG,^{[A 9]} 3 AGM^{[A 10]}
• 8 Type C5 ships: 3 ACS, 3 AK, 2 AVB
• 7 Type C6 ships: all ACS
• 7 Type C7 ships: 3 AK, 4 AKR
• 20 Type EC2 Liberty ships: 1 AGM,^{[A 11]} 16 AGR, 3 AGTR
• 2 Type R ships: both AF^{[A 12]}
• 2 Type S3 ships (LSTs): 1 AG,^{[A 13]} 1 AVB
• 17 Type S4 ships: 2 AGS, 13 AKV, 2 ARC
• 3 T2 tankers: all AGM^{[A 14]}
• 19 T3 tankers / CVEs: all AKV
• 31 Type VC2 Victory ships: 11 AG,^{[A 15]} 4 AF, 8 AGM,^{[A 16]} 4 AGS,^{[A 17]} 2 AGTR, 2 AKV
• 2 LSMs: 1 AG,^{[A 18]} 1 ARC

Modern auxiliaries have been designed to reduce operating costs by introducing scales of economies with larger ships and by reducing manning requirements (a trend begun in 1949 with the introduction of manning non-commissioned ships with civilian crews under the Military Sealift Command and its predecessors - such ships carry the 'T-' prefix on their hull symbols and the USNS prefix rather than USS; ships with MV or SS prefixes are under long-term charter with the Navy rather than under Navy ownership).

Crane ships (AB)

• USS Kearsarge (AB-1), ex-BB-5

Colliers (AC)

Auxiliary minelayers (ACM)

Auxiliary crane ships (T-ACS)

unknown class: MA type C6-S-MA1qd

• SS Keystone State (T-ACS-1) [R]
• SS Gem State (T-ACS-2) [R]
• SS Grand Canyon State (T-ACS-3) [I]^[3]

Gopher State-class: MA type C5-S-73b

• SS Gopher State (T-ACS-4) [R]
• SS Flickertail State (T-ACS-5) [I]^[3]
• SS Cornhusker State (T-ACS-6) [R]

unknown class: MA type C6-S-1aq

• SS Diamond State (T-ACS-7) [I]
• SS Equality State (T-ACS-8)

unknown class: MA type C6-S-MA60d

• SS Green Mountain State (T-ACS-9) [I]
• SS Beaver State (T-ACS-10), later X-Band Transportable Radar Ship (XTR-1) SS Pacific Tracker

Auxiliary aircraft carriers (ACV)

The Auxiliary aircraft carriers (ACV) were designated as Auxiliary aircraft escort vessels (AVG) until 20 August 1942 and then were redesignated Escort aircraft carriers (CVE) on 15 July 1943.

Destroyer tenders (AD)

Dobbin-class

Unknown classes

Altair-class

Dixie-class

Cascade-class

• USS Cascade (AD-16)

Hamul-class: MC type C3

Klondike-class: MC type C3

Shenandoah-class: MC type C3

Alcor-class

• USS Alcor (AD-34), ex-AG-34

Samuel Gompers-class

Yellowstone-class

Degaussing ships (ADG)

Ammunition ships (AE)

Lassen-class: MC types C2, C2-T, C2-N

Unknown class: MC type C1-A

• USS Sangay (AE-10)

Mount Hood-class: MC type C2-S-AJ1

Fomalhaut-class: MC type C1-A

• USS Fomalhaut (AE-20), ex-AKA-5

Suribachi-class

Nitro-class

Andromeda-class: MA type C2-S-B1

Kilauea-class

Auxiliary floating drydock

Large auxiliary repair docks (ABSD)

Reclassified as Large Auxiliary Floating Dry Docks (AFDB) in August 1946.

Large auxiliary floating dry docks (AFDB)

Small auxiliary floating dry docks (AFDL)

Medium auxiliary floating dry docks (AFDM)

All AFDMs were classified as YFDs until 1945.

Auxiliary repair docks (ARD)

Medium auxiliary repair docks (ARDM)

Yard floating drydocks (YFD)

All YFDs were reclassified as AFDMs in 1945.

Provisions store ships (AF, T-AF)

Hyades-class: MC type C2-S-E1

Adria-class: MC type R1-M-AV3

Alstede-class: MC type R2-S-BV1 or C2-S-B1

Unknown class: MC type C2-S-B1

• USNS Bald Eagle (T-AF-50)

Grommet Reefer-class: MA type C1-M-AV1

• USNS Grommet Reefer (T-AF-53), wrecked off Livorno, Italy, 15 December 1952

Denebola-class: MA type VC2-S-AP2

Rigel-class: MA type R3-S-4A

Combat stores ships (AFS, T-AFS)

Mars-class

Sirius-class

Miscellaneous ships (AG, T-AG)

For similar lists of 'miscellaneous' ships see:

List of unclassified miscellaneous vessels of the United States Navy (IX)

and

List of yard and district craft of the United States Navy § District auxiliary, miscellaneous (YAG)

• USS Hannibal (AG-1), survey ship
• USS Lebanon (AG-2), collier, supply ship, target tug
• USS Nanshan (AG-3), collier
• USS Saturn (AG-4), collier
• USS General Alava (AG-5), war prize, cargo ship
• USS Dubuque (AG-6), later IX-9, PG-17
• USS Paducah (AG-7), later IX-23, PG-18
• USS Mahanna (AG-8), cargo ship
• USS Great Northern (AG-9), transport
• USS Antares (AG-10), later AKS-3
• USS Procyon (AG-11), later IX-38
• USS Gold Star (AG-12), ex-AK-12
• USS Pensacola (AG-13), ex-AK-7
• USS Abarenda (AG-14), ex-AC-13
• USS Ajax (AG-15), seaplane tender, ex-AC-14
• USS Utah (AG-16), target ship, ex-BB-31, sunk Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941, 58 killed

• USS Wyoming (AG-17), training ship, ex-BB-32
• USS Stoddert (AG-18), target ship, ex- and later DD-302
• USS Boggs (AG-19), ex-DD-136, later and ex-DMS-3
• USS Kilty (AG-20), ex- and later DD-137, later APD-15
• USS Lamberton (AG-21), ex-DD-119, later and ex-DMS-2
• USS Radford (AG-22), target ship, ex- and later DD-120

• USS Sequoia (AG-23), presidential yacht
• USS Semmes (AG-24), electronics test ship, ex-DD-189

• USS Potomac (AG-25), presidential yacht
• USS Cuyahoga (AG-26), presidential yacht tender, ex-WSC-157, later WIX-157
• USS Robert L. Barnes (AG-27), ex-AO-14, captured Guam December 1941
• USS Manley (AG-28), ex-DD-74, later APD-1, DD-74
• USS Bear (AG-29), ex-polar research ship
• USS Bowditch (AG-30), survey ship, later AGS-4

• USS Argonne (AG-31), flagship, ex-AP-4, AS-10
• USS Sumner (AG-32), survey ship, ex-AS-2, later AGS-5
• USS Kaula (AG-33), SeaBee cargo ship
• USS Alcor (AG-34), later AR-10, AD-34
• USS Calypso (AG-35), presidential yacht tender, ex-WPC-104
• USS Manasquan (AG-36), weather ship, ex-ID-3568
• USS Manomet (AG-37), ex-ID-4215B, later AK-51
• USS Mantinicus (AG-38), later AK-52, AP-75
• USS Menemsha (AG-39), weather ship, later WAG-274
• USS Monomoy (AG-40), weather ship, later WAG-275
• USS Midway (AG-41), cargo ship
• USS Camanga (AG-42), cargo ship, ex-ID-3496
• USS Majaba (AG-43), cargo ship, later IX-102
• USS Malanao (AG-44), cargo ship
• USS Taganak (AG-45), cargo ship, ex-ID-1792
• USS Tuluran (AG-46), cargo ship, ex-ID-2995
• USS Manhasset (AG-47), weather ship, ex-YAG-8, later WIX-276
• USS Muskeget (AG-48), weather ship, ex-YAG-9, later WAG-48, sunk 9 September 1942 by U-755, entire crew killed

• USS Anacapa (AG-49), Q-ship (armed decoy)
• USS Kopara (AG-50), ex-AK-62
• USS Besboro (AG-66), cargo ship
• USS Antaeus (AG-67), ex-AS-21, later AH-18
• USS Basilan (AG-68), later ARG-12
• USS Burias (AG-69), later ARG-13
• USS Zaniah (AG-70), stores-barracks-distilling-repair ship, ex-AK-120
• USS Baham (AG-71), stores-barracks-distilling-repair ship, ex-AK-122
• USS Parris Island (AG-72), ex-PCE–901
• USS Belle Isle (AG-73), electronics repair ship, later AKS-21
• USS Coasters Harbor (AG-74), electronics repair ship, later AKS-22
• USS Cuttyhunk Island (AG-75), transport, later AKS-23
• USS Avery Island (AG-76), transport, later AKS-24
• USS Indian Island (AG-77), transport, later AKS-25
• USS Kent Island (AG-78), transport, later AKS-26
• USS Wright / San Clemente (AG-79), flagship, ex-AZ-1, AV-1
• USS Du Pont (AG-80), target ship, ex-DD-152
• USS J. Fred Talbott (AG-81), target ship, ex-DD-156
• USS Schenck (AG-82), target ship, ex-DD-159
• USS Kennison (AG-83), target ship, ex-DD-138
• USS Hatfield (AG-84), target tow, ex-DD-231
• USS Fox (AG-85), target ship, ex-DD-234
• USS Bulmer (AG-86), target ship, ex-DD-222
• USS MacLeish (AG-87), target ship, ex-DD-220
• USS Burton Island (AG-88), later AGB-1
• USS Edisto (AG-89), later AGB-2
• USS Atka (AG-90), later AGB-3
• USS Dahlgren (AG-91), mine warfare test ship, ex-DD-187
• USS Gwinnett (AG-92), ex-AK-185, later AVS-5
• USS Nicollet (AG-93), ex-AK-199, later AVS-6
• USS Pontotoc (AG-94), ex-AK-206, later AVS-7
• USS Litchfield (AG-95), ex-DD-336
• USS Broome (AG-96), ex-DD-210
• USS Simpson (AG-97), target tow, ex-DD-221
• USS Ramsay (AG-98), training carrier plane guard, ex-DD-124, DM-16
• USS Preble (AG-99), plane guard, ex-DD-345, DM-20
• USS Sicard (AG-100), target ship, ex-DD-346, DM-21
• USS Pruitt (AG-101), target ship, ex-DD-347, DM-22
• USS Babbitt (AG-102), experimental sonar ship, ex-DD-128
• USS Upshur (AG-103), plane guard, ex-DD-144, DM-20
• USS Elliot (AG-104), target tow, ex-DD-146, DMS-4
• USS Hogan (AG-105), target ship, ex-DD-178, DMS-6
• USS Howard (AG-106), plane guard, ex-DD-179, DMS-7
• USS Stansbury (AG-107), training ship, ex-DD-180, DMS-8
• USS Chandler (AG-108), target tow, ex-DD-206, DMS-9
• USS Zane (AG-109), target tow, ex-DD-337, DMS-14
• USS Trever (AG-110), ex-DD-339, DMS-16
• USS Hamilton (AG-111), mine warfare test ship, ex-DD-141, DMS-18
• USS Breckinridge (AG-112), plane guard, ex-DD-148
• USS Barney (AG-113), target ship, ex-DD-149
• USS Biddle (AG-114), ex-DD-151
• USS Ellis (AG-115), plane guard, ex-DD-154
• USS Cole (AG-116), plane guard, ex-DD-155
• USS Whipple (AG-117), target ship, ex-DD-217
• USS McCormick (AG-118), ex-DD-223
• USS John D. Ford (AG-119), plane guard, ex-DD-228
• USS Paul Jones (AG-120), ex-DD-230
• USS Humboldt (AG-121), press information ship, ex- and later AVP-21
• USS Matagorda (AG-122), press information ship, ex- and later AVP-22
• USS Rockaway (AG-123), press information ship, ex- and later AVP-29
• USS Maumee (AG-124), station fuel ship, ex-AO-2
• USS Patoka (AG-125), minecraft tender, ex-AO-9, ex-AV-6
• USS McDougal (AG-126), experimental radar gunnery ship, ex-DD-358
• USS Winslow (AG-127), experimental antiaircraft ordnance ship, ex-DD-359

• USS Mississippi (AG-128), training ship, ex-BB-41
• USS Whitewood (AG-129), Arctic survey ship, ex-YN-84, AN-63
• USS Camano (AG-130), ex-US Army FS-256, later AKL-1
• USS Deal (AG-131), ex-USA FS-263, later AKL-2
• USS Elba (AG-132), ex-USA FS-267, later AKL-3
• USS Errol (AG-133), ex-USA FS-274, later AKL-4
• USS Estero (AG-134), ex-USA FS-275, later AKL-5
• USS Jekyl (AG-135), ex-USA FS-282, later AKL-6
• USS Metomkin (AG-136), ex-USA FS-316, later AKL-7
• USS Roque (AG-137), ex-USA FS-347, later AKL-8
• USS Ryer (AG-138), ex-USA FS-361, later AKL-9
• USS Sharps (AG-139), ex-USA FS-385, later AKL-10

• USS Whidbey (AG-141), clinic, medical survey vessel, epidemiological disease control ship, ex-USA FS-395
• USS Nashawena (AG-142), cable layer, ex-USA BSP-2098 barge, later YAG-35
• USS Mark (AG-143), ex-USA FS-214, later AKL-12
• USS Hewell (AG-145), ex-USA FS-391, later AKL-14
• USS Electron (AG-146), electronics parts issue ship, ex-LST-1070, later AKS-27
• USS Proton (AG-147), electronics parts issue ship, ex-LST-1078, later AKS-28
• USS Colington (AG-148), stores issue ship, ex-LST-1085, later AKS-29
• USS League Island (AG-149), stores issue ship, ex-LST-1097, later AKS-30
• USS Chimon (AG-150), stores issue ship, ex-LST-1102, later AKS-31
• USS Richard E. Kraus (AG-151), experimental electronics ship, ex- and later DD-849

• USS Timmerman (AG-152), experimental ship (engines and superstructure), ex-DD-828, EDD-828

• USS Compass Island (E-AG-153), ex-YAG-56, inertial navigation test ship
• USS Observation Island (EAG-154), ex-YAG-57, Polaris missile test ship, later T-AGM-23
• (EAG-155), ex-SS Prairie Mariner, ex-YAG-58, conversion to Jupiter ballistic missile ship canceled^[8]
• (AG-156), intended but not used for USS Hunting ex-LSM-398, later E-AG-398

• USS King County (AG-157), Regulus II missile test ship, ex-LST-857
• USS Glover (AG-158)
• USS Oxford (AG-159), SIGINT ship, later AGTR-1
• USNS Range Tracker (T-AG-160), missile range tracking ship, later T-AGM-1
• USNS Range Recoverer (T-AG-161), missile range tracking ship, ex-USA FS-278, later T-AGM-2, YFRT-524
• USNS Mission Capistrano (T-AG-162), sonar test ship, ex-T‑AO‑112
• USS Glover (AG-163)

• USNS Kingsport (T-AG-164), satellite communication ship, ex-T-AK-239
• USS Georgetown (AG-165), SIGINT ship, later AGTR-2
• USS Jamestown (AG-166), SIGINT ship, later AGTR-3
• USS Belmont (AG-167), SIGINT ship, later AGTR-4
• USS Liberty (AG-168), SIGINT ship, later AGTR-5
• USNS Pvt. Jose F. Valdez (T-AG-169) SIGINT ship, ex-APc-119
• USNS LT. James E. Robinson (T-AG-170), cable transport ship, ex-T-AKV-3, later T-AK-274
• USNS Sgt. Joseph E. Muller (T-AG-171), SIGINT ship
• USNS Phoenix (T-AG-172), depot ship
• USNS Provo (T-AG-173), depot ship
• USNS Cheyenne (T-AG-174), depot ship
• USNS Sgt. Curtis F. Shoup (T-AG-175), survey ship
• USS Peregrine (AG-176), experimental mine warfare ship, ex-AM-373, MSF-373
• USNS Shearwater (T-AG-177), survey support ship, ex-USA FS-411
• USNS Flyer (T-AG-178), SOSUS survey ship
• USNS Havenford (T-AG-179), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Antioch (T-AG-180), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Adelphi (T-AG-181), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Lynn (T-AG-182), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Clarksburg (T-AG-183), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Clemson (T-AG-184), cargo ship, canceled
• USNS Carthage (T-AG-185), cargo ship, canceled, museum ship
• USNS Bessemer (T-AG-186), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Milford (T-AG-187), depot ship, canceled
• USNS Rollins (T-AG-189), depot ship, canceled
• USS Spokane (T-AG-191), sonar test ship, ex-CL-120
• USNS S P Lee (T-AG-192), acoustics research ship, ex-T-AGS-31

• USNS Glomar Explorer (T-AG-193), deep-sea drillship
• USNS Vanguard (T-AG-194), missile range tracking ship, ex-T-AO-122, later T-AGM-19
• USNS Hayes (T-AG-195), acoustics research ship, ex-T-AGOR-16 [I]
• USS Hunting (E-AG-398), sonar research ship, ex-LSM-398, ex-AG-156
• USS Alacrity (AG-520), ex-AM-520, MSO-520
• USS Assurance (AG-521), ex-AM-521, MSO-521
• USNS Vice Adm. K. R. Wheeler (T-AG-5001) [A], Offshore Petroleum Distribution System (OPDS) ship

Icebreakers (AGB)

• USS Burton Island (AGB-1), ex-AG-88, later WAGB-283
• USS Edisto (AGB-2), ex-AG-89, later WAGB-284
• USS Atka (AGB-3), ex-AG-90, later WAGB-280
• USS Glacier (AGB-4), later WAGB-4
• USS Staten Island (AGB-5), later WAGB-278

Amphibious force command ships (AGC)

Deep submergence support ship (T-AGDS)

• USNS White Sands (T-AGDS-1), ex-ARD-20
• USNS Point Loma (T-AGDS-2), ex-AKD-1

Hydrofoil research ship (AGEH)

• USS Plainview (AGEH-1)

Environmental research ships (AGER)

Signals intelligence collection vessels.

Banner-class

• USS Banner (AGER-1), ex-AKL-25
• USS Pueblo (AGER-2) [I], ex-AKL-44, captured by North Korea 23 January 1968, 1 killed, North Korean museum ship, still in commission^[9]
• USS Palm Beach (AGER-3), ex-AKL-45

Command ships (AGF)

• USS Valcour (AGF-1), ex-AVP-55
• USS La Salle (AGF-3), ex-LPD-3
• USS Coronado (AGF-11), ex-LPD-11

Missile range instrumentation ships (T-AGM)

Major communications relay ships (AGMR)

• USS Annapolis (AGMR-1), ex-CVE-107
• USS Arlington (AGMR-2), ex-CVL-48, ex-CC-3

Oceanographic research ships (T-AGOR)

• USNS Josiah Willard Gibbs (T-AGOR-1), former AVP-51
• T-AGOR-2 built for Norway

Robert D. Conrad-class

Eltanin-class: MC type C1-ME2-13a

• USNS Eltanin (T-AGOR-8), ex-T-AK-270
• USNS Mizar (T-AGOR-11), ex-T-AK-272

Melville-class

• USNS Melville (T-AGOR-14)
• USNS Knorr (T-AGOR-15)

Hayes-class

• USNS Hayes (T-AGOR-16), later T-AG-195

Diver-class

• USNS Chain (T-AGOR-17), former ARS-20
• USNS Snatch (T-AGOR-18), former ARS-27

Gyre-class

• USNS Gyre (T-AGOR-21)
• USNS Moana Wave (T-AGOR-22)

Thomas G. Thompson-class

• USNS Thomas G. Thompson (T-AGOR-23) [A]
• USNS Roger Revelle (T-AGOR-24) [A]
• USNS Atlantis (T-AGOR-25) [A]

Kilo Moana-class

• USNS Kilo Moana (T-AGOR-26) [A]

Neil Armstrong-class

• RV Neil Armstrong (T-AGOR-27) [A]
• RV Sally Ride (T-AGOR-28) [A]

Ocean surveillance ships (T-AGOS)

Underwater acoustics collection vessels.

Stalwart-class

Victorious-class

Impeccable-class

• USNS Impeccable (T-AGOS-23) [A]

Motor torpedo boat tenders (AGP)

Radar picket ships (AGR)

Guardian-class: MC type Z-EC2-S-C5

All Guardian-class ships were originally classed as YAGR but were then reclassed as AGR in 1958.

Surveying ships (AGS)

YMS-135-subclass

• USS Chauvenet (AGS-11), ex-YMS-195
• USS Harkness (AGS-12), ex-YMS-242, later AGSC-12
• USS James M. Gilliss (AGS-13), ex-YMS-262, later AGSC-13
• USS Simon Newcomb (AGS-14), ex-YMS-263, later AGSC-14

Artemis-class: MC type S4–SE2–BE1

Auk-class

Bowditch-class: MA type VC2-S-AP3

Other classes

Silas Bent-class

Other classes

Pathfinder-class

Coastal survey ships (AGSC)

Submarine and special warfare support vessel (T-AGSE)

Black Powder-class

Auxiliary submarines (AGSS)

Gato class

• Cod (AGSS-224), ex-SS-224, later IXSS-224, museum ship
• Rasher (AGSS-269), ex-SS-269, SSR-269, later IXSS-269

Balao class

• Bowfin (AGSS-287), ex-SS-287, later IXSS-287, museum ship
• Ling (AGSS-297), ex-SS-297, later IXSS-297, museum ship
• Lionfish (AGSS-298), ex-SS-298, later IXSS-298, museum ship
• Roncador (AGSS-301), ex-SS-301, later IXSS-301
• Charr (AGSS-328), ex-SS-328, later IXSS-328
• Carp (AGSS-338), ex-SS-338, later IXSS-338
• Chopper (AGSS-342), ex-SS-342, later IXSS-342
• Pampanito (AGSS-383), ex-SS-383, later IXSS-383, museum ship

Tench class

• Torsk (AGSS-423), ex-SS-423, later IXSS-423, museum ship
• Runner (AGSS-476), ex-SS-476, later IXSS-476
• Requin (AGSS-481), ex-SS-481, SSR-481, later IXSS-471, museum ship

Albacore class

• USS Albacore (AGSS-569), museum ship

Dolphin class

• USS Dolphin (AGSS-555), museum ship

Technical research ships (AGTR)

Signals intelligence collection vessels.

Oxford-class: MA type Z–EC2–S–C5

• USS Oxford (AGTR-1), ex-AG-159
• USS Georgetown (AGTR-2), ex-AG-165
• USS Jamestown (AGTR-3), ex-AG-166

Belmont-class: MA type VC2-S-AP3

• USS Belmont (AGTR-4), ex-AG-167
• USS Liberty (AGTR-5), ex-AG-168, damaged on 8 June 1967 by Israeli aircraft and torpedo boats, CTL, 34 killed^[9]

Hospital ships (AH)

Dry cargo ships (AK, T-AK)

Attack cargo ships (AKA)

Cargo ship dock (T-AKD)

The Point Barrow was similar in design to the amphibious warfare Landing Ships Dock (LSD)s, but with a hull strengthened for sailing in Arctic ice.

• USNS Point Barrow (T-AKD-1), Operation Dominic nuclear test participant,^[10] later T-AGDS-2 as Point Loma

Advanced auxiliary dry cargo ships (T-AKE)

Advanced Auxiliary Dry Cargo Ships (T-AKE) are designed to deliver ammunition, provisions, stores, spare parts, potable water and petroleum products via underway replenishment; they effectively combine the missions of Ammunition Ships (AE) and Combat Stores Ships (AFS, T-AFS) along with a limited refueling capability.

Lewis and Clark-class

Small cargo ships (AKL)

Net cargo ships (AKN)

Indus class: MC type EC2-S-C1

Other classes

• USS Keokuk (AKN-4), ex-AN-5, ex-CM-8, ex-CMc-6
• USS Galilea (AKN-6), ex-Montauk (LSV-6)

Vehicle cargo ships (T-AKR)

Cape-I-class: MA Type C7-S-95

Cape-T-class

Algol-class

Shughart-Class

Gordon-Class

Bob Hope-class

Watson-class

Other classes

General stores issue ships (AKS)

• USS Antares (AKS-3), ex-AG-10

Castor and Unknown classes: all MC type C2

• USS Castor (AKS-1)
• USS Pollux (AKS-2), wrecked Newfoundland 18 February 1942, 93 killed^[17]
• USS Pollux (AKS-4)
• USS Mercury (AKS-20)

Acubens-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

LST-542 class

Belle Isle-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

LST-542 class

Antares-class: MA type VC2-S-AP3

• USS Altair (AKS-32)
• USS Antares (AKS-33)

Aircraft transports (AKV, T-AKV)

• USS Kitty Hawk (AKV-1), ex-APV-1
• USS Hammondsport (AKV-2), ex-APV-2

LT. James E. Robinson class: MA type VC2-S-AP1

Other classes

Commencement Bay class: MA type T3

Casablanca class: MA type S4-S2-BB3

Commencement Bay class

Bogue class: MA types C3-S-A1 and C3-S-A2

Auxiliary minesweepers

Minesweepers (AM)

Auxiliary Base Minesweepers (AMb)

Coastal Minesweepers (AMc)

Coastal Minesweepers (Underwater Locator) (AMCU)

Ocean Minesweepers (AMS)

Net laying ships (AN)

All of the following ships were originally classed as Yard Net Tenders, see List of yard and district craft of the United States Navy § Yard Net Tenders (YN) for the original hull numbers.

Aloe-class

Ailanthus-class

Cohoes-class

Net layer (ANL)

• USS Butternut (ANL-9), ex-YN-4, ex-AN-9, later YAG-60

Fleet oilers (AO, T-AO)

Fast combat support ships (AOE, T-AOE)

Gasoline tankers (AOG, T-AOG)

All AOG tankers were MarCom (MC) T1 tankers, with the exception of these former commercial ships: the Halawa-class, AOG-13, AOG-14, AOG-16 and AOG-47.

Patapsco-class: MC type T1-MT-M1

Halawa-class

Mettawee-class: MC type T1-M-A2

Klickitat-class: MC type T1-M-BT1

Other / unknown classes

Light replenishment oilers (T-AOL)

Replenishment oilers (AOR)

Oiler submarines (AOSS)

Oil transporters (T-AOT)

Transports (AP, T-AP)

Attack transports (APA)

Self-propelled barracks ships (APB)

Benewah-class

All ships of this class were based on LST hulls, but less than half were converted from actual LSTs.

Other class

• USS DuPage (APB-51)

Coastal transports (APC)

Small coastal transports (APc)

APc-1-class small coastal transports:

High-speed transports (APD)

Evacuation transports (APH)

Barracks craft (APL)

• USS APL-1

APL-2-class

APL-17-class

APL-41-class

APL-53 class

Other classes

• USS APL-59, ex-LST-53^[24]
• USS APL-60, ex-Pursuivant^[25]

APL-61-class

APL-65 class

• USS APL-65 [A]
• USS APL-66 [A]

APL-67-class

Mechanized artillery transports (APM)

APM was the original hull designation of what became the Landing Ship, Dock (LSD).

Convoy rescue craft (APR)

APR was the original hull symbol intended for the patrol craft escorts that were converted to rescue crews from ships attacked in convoys, but they were instead redesignated as PCERs.^[26]

Transport submarines (APS, APSS)

Transport and aircraft ferries (APV)

• USS Kitty Hawk (APV-1), later AKV-1
• USS Hammondsport (APV-2), later AKV-2
• USS Lakehurst (APV-3)

Repair ships (AR)

Vulcan-class

Delta-class: MC type C3

• USS Delta (AR-9), ex-AK-29
• USS Briareus (AR-12)

Altair-class

• USS Rigel (AR-11), ex-AD-13, ARb-1

Amphion-class

Xanthus-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

Klondike-class: MC type C3

• USS Klondike (AR-22), ex-AD-22
• USS Markab (AR-23), ex-AD-21

Shenandoah-class: MA type C3

• USS Grand Canyon (AR-28), ex-AD-28

Battle damage repair ships (ARB)

Base repair ship (ARb)

• USS Rigel (ARb-1), ex-AD-13, later AR-11

Cable repair ships (ARC)

• USS Portunus (ARC-1), ex-LSM–275
• USS Yamacraw (ARC-5), ex-ACM-9

Aeolus-class: MA type S4–SE2–BE1

• USS Aeolus (ARC-3), ex-AKA-47
• USS Thor (ARC-4), ex-AKA-49

Neptune-class: MA type S3-S2-BP1

• USNS Neptune (T-ARC-2)
• USNS Albert J. Myer (T-ARC-6)

Zeus-class

• USNS Zeus (T-ARC-7) [A]

Two other Navy vessels performed cable support operations without the ARC hull classification: USS Nashawena (AG-142 / YAG-35) and Kailua (IX-71).

Internal combustion engine repair ships (ARG)

Aroostook-class

• USS Oglala (ARG-1), ex-CM-4

Luzon-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

Basilan-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

Other ships

Heavy-hull repair ship (ARH)

• USS Jason (ARH-1), later AR-8

Landing craft repair ships (ARL)

Achelous-class

Rescue and salvage ships (ARS)

Lapwing-class

Diver-class

Unknown class

• USS Assistance (ARS-10), not commissioned

Anchor-class

Rescuer-class

• USS Rescuer (ARS-18), wrecked 31 December 1942 at Unimak Island in the Aleutians, 1 killed

Ex-commercial vessels

Weight-class

Tackle-class

• USS Tackle (ARS-37), later ARST-4

Bolster-class

Safeguard-class

Salvage lifting vessels (ARSD)

Salvage craft tenders (ARST)

Aircraft repair ships (ARV, ARV(E), ARV(A))

Chourre-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

• USS Chourre (ARV-1) ex-ARG-14
• USS Webster (ARV-2) ex-ARG-15

Aventinus-class

• USS Aventinus (ARV(E)-3), ex-LST-1092
• USS Chloris (ARV(E)-4), ex-LST-1094

Fabius-class

• USS Fabius (ARV(A)-5), ex-LST-1093
• USS Megara (ARV(A)-6), ex-LST-1095

Helicopter aircraft repair ships (ARVH)

• USNS Corpus Christi Bay (T-ARVH-1), ex-AV-5

Submarine tenders (AS)

Ships which have functioned as submarine tenders without the AS designation include the four Arkansas-class monitors.

Fulton-class

Griffin-class: MC type C3

Ex-commercial ships

Aegir-class: MC type C3-S-A2

Uncertain class

Hunley-class

Simon Lake-class

L. Y. Spear-class

Emory S. Land-class

Submarine rescue vessels (ASR)

Lapwing-class

Chanticleer-class

Penguin-class

Pigeon-class

The Pigeon-class was designed to operate deep submergence rescue vehicles (DSRV).

Cargo transport submarines (ASSA)

Fleet tugs (AT)

Sonoma-class

• USS Sonoma (AT-12)
• USS Ontario (AT-13)

Arapaho-class

Bagaduce-class

Cherokee-class

Abnaki-class

Sotoyomo-class

Lapwing-class

Auxiliary ocean tugs (ATA, T-ATA)

The first ten boats of the Sotoyomo-class were originally classed as Fleet Tugs (AT), as were ATA-146, ATA-166, and ATA-167.

Sotoyomo-class

ATA-214-class

Other classes

Fleet ocean tugs (ATF, T-ATF)

All tugs of the Cherokee and Abnaki classes were reclassed from Fleet Tugs (AT) on 15 May 1944.

Cherokee-class

Abnaki-class

Powhatan-class

Fleet tugs, old (ATO)

The Fleet Tug Old classification was created on 15 May 1944, several Fleet Tugs received this classification at this time without a change of hull number.

Sonoma-class

• USS Sonoma (ATO-12), sunk by kamikaze San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines, 24 October 1944^[28]
• USS Ontario (ATO-13)

Bagaduce-class

Lapwing-class

Rescue tugs (ATR)

ATR-1 class

Sotoyomo-class

Salvage and rescue ships (ATS)

Edenton-class

• USS Edenton (ATS-1), later USCGC Alex Haley (WMEC-39).
• USS Beaufort (ATS-2)
• USS Brunswick (ATS-3)

ATS-4 and ATS-5 skipped

Navajo-class

• USNS Navajo (T-ATS-6) [P]
• USNS Cherokee Nation (T-ATS-7) [P]
• USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS-8) [P]
• USNS Lenni Lenape (T-ATS-7) [P]
• USNS Muscogee Creek Nation (T-ATS-10) [P]
• USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS-11)^[30] [P]
• USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS-12)^[31] [P]
• (T-ATS-13) [P]
• (T-ATS-14) [P]
• (T-ATS-15)^[32] [P]

Seaplane tenders (AV)

Ships which have functioned as seaplane tenders without the AV designation include the USS Mississippi (BB-23) in 1914, the USS Ajax (AG-15) in 1924-1925, and the USS Christiana (IX-80 / YAG-32) in WW2.^[33]

Wright-class

• USS Wright (AV-1), ex-AZ-1, later AG-79

Jason-class

• USS Jason (AV-2), ex-AC-12

Langley-class

• USS Langley (AV-3), ex-AC-3, CV-1, scuttled Java Sea 27 February 1942 after air attack, 16 killed outright, possibly hundreds killed after rescue ship sunk

Curtiss-class^[34]

• USS Curtiss (AV-4), nuclear tests participant^{[A 29][6][20][7][19]}
• USS Albemarle (AV-5), Operation Sandstone participant,^[6] later T-ARVH-1 as Corpus Christi Bay

Patoka-class

• USS Patoka (AV-6), ex-AO–9, later AG–125

Currituck class

• USS Currituck (AV-7)
• USS Norton Sound (AV-11), later AVM-1
• USS Pine Island (AV-12)
• USS Salisbury Sound (AV-13)

Tangier-class: MC type C3

• USS Tangier (AV-8)
• USS Hobe Sound (AV-20), canceled while under construction 1944

Pocomoke-class

• USS Pocomoke (AV-9)

Chandeleur-class

• USS Chandeleur (AV-10)

Kenneth Whiting-class: MC type C3 ^[35]

• USS Kenneth Whiting (AV-14)
• USS Hamlin (AV-15)
• USS St George (AV-16)
• USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17)
• USS Townsend (AV-18), cancelled while under construction 1945

unknown class

• USS Calibogue (AV-19), canceled while under construction 1944
• (AV-22), conversion from unassigned ship canceled
• (AV-23), conversion from unassigned ship canceled

Ashland-class

• USS Ashland (AV-21), conversion from LSD-1 canceled 1959

Advance aviation base ships (AVB, T-AVB)

Wright-class: MA type C5-S-78

Seaplane catapult, light (AVC)

• AVC-1^[36]

Destroyer seaplane tenders (AVD)

Clemson class^[37]

• USS Childs (AVD-1), former AVP-14
• USS Williamson (AVD-2), former AVP-15, later APD-27
• USS George E. Badger (AVD-3), former AVP-16, later APD-33
• USS Clemson (AVD-4), former AVP-17, later APD-31
• USS Goldsborough (AVD-5), former AVP-18, later APD-32
• USS Hulbert (AVD-6), former AVP-19
• USS William B. Preston (AVD-7), former AVP-20
• USS Belknap (AVD-8), former DD-251, later APD-34
• USS Osmond Ingram (AVD-9), former DD-255, later APD-35
• USS Ballard (AVD-10), former DD-267
• USS Thornton (AVD-11), former DD-270
• USS Gillis (AVD-12), former DD-260
• USS Greene (AVD-13), former DD-266, later APD-36
• USS McFarland (AVD-14), former DD-237

Auxiliary aircraft escort vessels (AVG)

The Auxiliary aircraft escort vessels (AVG) were redesignated Auxiliary aircraft carriers (ACV) on 20 August 1942 and then Escort aircraft carriers (CVE) on 15 July 1943.

Guided missile ships (AVM)

• USS Norton Sound (AVM-1), ex-AV-11, nuclear tests participant^{[A 30][38][10]}

Small seaplane tenders (AVP)

Lapwing-class^[37]

• USS Lapwing (AVP-1), former AM-1
• USS Heron (AVP-2), former AM-10
• USS Thrush (AVP-3), former AM-18
• USS Avocet (AVP-4), former AM-19
• USS Teal (AVP-5), former AM-23
• USS Pelican (AVP-6) , former AM-27
• USS Swan (AVP-7), former AM-34
• USS Gannet (AVP-8), former AM-41, torpedoed 7 June 1942, 16 killed
• USS Sandpiper (AVP-9), former AM-51

Clemson-class

• USS Childs (AVP-14), former DD-241, later AVD-1
• USS Williamson (AVP-15), former DD-244, later AVD-2
• USS George E. Badger (AVP-16), former DD-196, CG-16 (USCG), later AVD-3
• USS Clemson (AVP-17), former DD-186, later AVD-4
• USS Goldsborough (AVP-18), former DD-188, later AVD-5
• USS Hulbert (AVP-19), former DD-342, later AVD-6
• USS William B. Preston (AVP-20), former DD-344, later AVD-7

Barnegat-class

• USS Barnegat (AVP-10)
• USS Biscayne (AVP-11), later AGC-18
• USS Casco (AVP-12)
• USS Mackinac (AVP-13)
• USS Hunboldt (AVP-21), briefly AG-121
• USS Matagorda (AVP-22), briefly AG-122
• USS Abescon (AVP-23)
• USS Chincoteague (AVP-24)
• USS Coos Bay (AVP-25)
• USS Half Moon (AVP-26)
• USS Mobjack (AVP-27), later AGP-7
• USS Oyster Bay (AVP-28), briefly AGP-6
• USS Rockaway (AVP-29), briefly AG-123
• USS San Pablo (AVP-30), later AGS-30
• USS Unimak (AVP-31)
• USS Yakutat (AVP-32)
• USS Barataria (AVP-33)
• USS Bering Strait (AVP-34)
• USS Castle Rock (AVP-35)
• USS Cook Inlet (AVP-36)
• USS Corson (AVP-37)
• USS Duxbury Bay (AVP-38)
• USS Gardiners Bay (AVP-39), Operation Sandstone participant^[6]
• USS Floyds Bay (AVP-40)
• USS Greenwich Bay (AVP-41)
• USS Hatteras (AVP-42), canceled
• USS Hempstead (AVP-43), canceled
• USS Kamishak (AVP-44), canceled
• USS Magothy (AVP-45), canceled
• USS Matanzas (AVP-46), canceled
• USS Metomkin (AVP-47), canceled
• USS Onslow (AVP-48)
• USS Orca (AVP-49)
• USS Rehoboth (AVP-50), later AGS-50
• USS San Carlos (AVP-51), later T-AGOR-1
• USS Shelikof (AVP-52)
• USS Suisin (AVP-53)
• USS Timbalier (AVP-54)
• USS Valcour (AVP-55), later AGF-1
• USS Wachapreague (AVP-56), later AGP-8
• USS Willoughby (AVP-57), later AGP-9

Aviation stores issue ships (AVS)

• USS Supply (AVS-1), ex-IX-147
• USS Fortune (AVS-2), ex-IX-146

Grumium-class: MC type EC2-S-C1

• USS Grumium (AVS-3), ex-AK-112, ex-IX-174
• USS Allioth (AVS-4), ex-AK-109, ex-IX-204

Gwinnett-class: MC type C1-M-AV1

• USS Gwinnett (AVS-5), ex-AK-185, ex-AG-92
• USS Nicollet (AVS-6), ex-AK-199, ex-AG-93
• USS Pontotoc (AVS-7), ex-AK-206, ex-AG-94

Other

• USS Jupiter (AVS-8), ex-AK-43

Aircraft transports (AVT)

All of these aircraft carriers received this classification while in reserve in 1959, 1960, and 1961, and none ever operated as Aircraft Transports after receiving it.

Independence class

Saipan class

Essex class

Auxiliary aircraft landing training ships (AVT)

Distilling ships (AW)

Stag-class: MC type Z-ET1-S-C3

Pasig-class: MC type T2-SE-A2

Lighter-than-air aircraft tender (AZ)

• USS Wright (AZ-1), later AV-1
• USS Patoka (AO-9) operated as a lighter-than-air aircraft tender from 1924 to 1933, but never received the AZ classification

Miscellaneous classifications (IX)

Yard and district craft (Y)

Pre-1920 craft

Screw tugs

• USS Alert

World War I (ID) series

Civilian cargo ships, tankers, transports, etc., were registered during World War I for potential use and given "ID" identification numbers in the "ID/SP" numbering series.

See also

• Auxiliary cruiser (which is, despite its name, a type of warship (cruiser), not an auxiliary)
• Glossary of watercraft types in service of the United States
• List of current ships of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy ships
• List of United States Navy losses in World War II § Auxiliaries - abbreviated list
• List of US Navy ships sunk or damaged in action during World War II § Auxiliaries - detailed list
• List of United States Naval Air Stations, including auxiliary airfields
• Military Auxiliary Radio System, Navy-Marine Corp branch operated 1962-2015
• Military Sealift Command, current operator of most US Navy auxiliaries
• Strategic sealift ships
• United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (an auxiliary organization of support personnel, not a type of ship)

References

Citations

Footnotes

Sources

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
• Friedman, Norman (1987). U.S. Small Combatants: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 978-0-87021-713-5.
• Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.

External links

Museum ships

• USNS Carthage (T-AG-185) / SS American Victory, American Victory Ship & Museum, Tampa, FL
• USS Cahuilla (ATF-152), San Pedro, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
• USS Potomac (AG-25) - Association for the Preservation of the Presidential Yacht Potomac, Oakland, CA
• USS Pueblo (AGER-2), Pyongyang, North Korea
• USS Wampanoag (ATA-202) - ATA-202 Foundation, Tacoma, WA