USNS Provo (T-AG-173)

USNS Provo (T-AG-173) was a Phoenix-class miscellaneous auxiliary acquired by the United States Navy in 1962, crewed by a civilian crew from the Military Sea Transportation Service, and sent to the Philippines to serve as a delivery ship of parts and supplies to other Navy ships and stations in the Asian area. Provo remained in the Philippines, issuing parts and other supplies, until the early 1970s, being struck by the Navy in 1973. She was built as a Victory ship for World War II as the SS Drew Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program for the War Shipping Administration.

History
United States
Name: 1945 Drew Victory
1962 USS Provo
Namesake: A city in north central Utah, population 115,919, settled by Mormons in 1849.
Builder: Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon
Laid down: 28 April 1945, as Drew Victory, MCV-691
Launched: 17 June 1945
Sponsored by: Miss Anna P. Burkhalter
Completed: as Drew Victory, 14 July 1945
Acquired: by the Navy on 2 March 1963
In service: 20 November 1962 as USNS Provo (T-AG-173)
Out of service: c. 1970
Renamed: Provo, 20 November 1962
Stricken: 15 June 1973
Homeport: Subic Bay, Philippines
Fate: sold, 31 August 1973, fate unknown
General characteristics
Type: Phoenix-class miscellaneous auxiliary
Tonnage: 6,700 tons
Tons burthen: 15,900 tons
Length: 455' 3"
Beam: 62'
Draft: 28' 1" (max.)
Propulsion: steam turbine, single shaft, 8,500hp
Speed: 17 knots
Complement: 50 officers and enlisted
Armament: not known

Victory ship built in Oregon

Provo, a special projects ship, was laid down 28 April 1945; launched 17 June 1945 by Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Miss Anna P. Burkhalter; and delivered as SS Drew Victory 14 July 1945. While in merchant marine service, she was subsequently renamed California and Utah.

Assigned to the U.S. Navy

On 2 March 1963, she was acquired by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) from the U.S. Maritime Administration, and renamed Provo, 20 November 1962, with the designation of Special Project Ship (AG–173).

In July 1963, she and two other MSTS ships, Cheyenne and Phoenix, were stationed at Subic Bay, Philippines, as Forward Floating Depots. This mission concept involved the use of depot ships for floating storage and issuance of vital military materials in meeting contingencies. The operational application of the concept was tested in 1964 in operation “Quick Release.”

The ship acted as a point to point cargo carrier, delivering military supplies to Okinawa and Viet Nam from stocking points in Japan and Subic Bay.

Inactivation

Provo was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission, and was sold 31 August 1973. Her subsequent fate is not known.

References
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