Detailed History

History of Kennebec Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships North Africa 1942

Asbestos Related Cancer

Submitted by Bill Yancey in February 2003
• Mesothelioma Web
• Submitted by Bob Jones (not a shipmate) in January 2004
• Asbestos Legislation
• Submitted by Les Blake, Kennebec Chief Engineer from 4/67 to 6/70, in May 2005
  I was looking through the building specifications book for Kennebec and think the following information should be disseminated. The original specifications called for the use of asbestos to insulate from heat on all boilers, steam lines generators, steam operated pumps, evaporators, and Ebony asbestos switchboards. This means that anyone who was in the engineering department probably was exposed. Electricians, shipfitters and auxiliary personnel may not be aware of exposure. People aboard during the early years probably had a greater risk of exposure. As time went by efforts were made to reduce the amount of asbestos used through out the fleet.
• Mesothelioma Com (It lists many of the common names of products we used and didn't know contained asbestos.)

Task Group 22.3 Captures German U-505

USS Kennebec refueled members of the task group during the first capture of an enemy vessel since 1812.
• Navy Historical Center (Kennebec mentioned)
• uboat.net (Kennebeck incorrectly spelled!)
• A First Person Account (Kennebec mentioned)
• Permanent Home at Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
• "Kennebec (AO-36) was sent to provide much-needed fuel to the hunter-killer group" (added 10/21/02)
• "Landing TBM while refueling from tanker U.S.S. KENNEBEC." (added 12/21/02)
• "View from bridge of refueling from tanker U.S.S. KENNEBEC." (added 12/21/02)
• "View from #1 whale boat of refueling operations U.S.S. KENNEBEC." (added 12/21/02)
• USS Guadalcanal (added 02/20/04)
  
• Courtesy Tony Welch (added 10/23/02)
  Note: I advised error in spelling; it will be corrected.
  Inquiries should be made to:
  Don Baker
  3955 W. Eaglerock Dr.
  Wenatchee, WA 98801
  Phone: (509) 662-9880

16 December 61 Recommissioning

(Courtesy Captain Frank DeLorenzo)

• USS Kennebec (check out the cars!)
• Commissioning Bunting
• Hoisting Colors
• Crew at Quarters
• Letter from Chief of Naval Operations to Captain DeLorenzo
• Comments from Captain DeLorenzo

16 December 61 Recommissioning

(Courtesy Ray Gravelle)

• Recommissioning Cake (please advise if you recognize them)
• (4) Photos of Shipmates (please advise if you recognize them)
• Cover Sheet of Program
• The First Kennebec
• Letter from Chief of Naval Operations to Captain Frank DeLorenzo
• Biography of Captain DeLorenzo
• Commissioning Ceremony
• Ship's Officers
• Chiefs through Third Class
• Third Class through Seaman and Fireman Apprentice
• Seaman, Seaman Apprentice and Stewards
• History of USS Kennebec (AO-36)
• History of USS Kennebec (AO-36)
• The Kennebec River

18 December 62 Change of Command Ceremony
From Captain DeLorenzo to Captain House

(Courtesy Captain Frank DeLorenzo)

Program pages 1 and 4 Program pages 2 and 3

3 June 66: From Commander, Seventh Fleet

Courtesy Tom Plank

• Congratulations to Kennebec's Crew on Your Admirable Performance

1964-68 Newsletters From WestPac

Courtesy Mike Vodak

2 Jul 1964 9 Nov 1965 22 Feb 1966 1 Jun 1966 8 Mar 1967 11 Apr 1967

Courtesy Tom Plank (added 08/26/04)

15 Jun 1967 1-of-2 15 Jun 1967 2-of-2 15 Aug 1968

From Pacific Stars & Stripes

Courtesy Tom Plank

• 18 Feb 67: Floating Gas Stations Keep Fleet Moving
• 21 May 68 Issue: A story of Kennebec's participation in 3 Wars

Final Decommissioning

Courtesy Les Blake

Front cover of program Photo of ship and logistics Program events History of ship, page 1 History, page 2 History, page 3 Invitation

Disposal of Ship

Courtesy Earl Rupp

• USS Kennebec was disposed of by MARAD sale 04/01/1982 and sold for non-transportation use 6 April 1982 to Levin Metals Corporation for the amount of $180,077.00.

USS Mattaponi (AO-41) was transferred to Marad on 22 January 1971 for disposal. On 15 December 1973 she was sold to Union Minerals and Alloys Corporation, New York City, for $50,184.50. She was then scrapped. (webmaster's note: I copied this from Mattoponi's Web site 06/21/03).