USNS David C. Shanks Facts and Career Summary

The USNS David C. Shanks is a remarkable ship with a rich history. It was named after a US Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient, David C. Shanks.

The USNS David C. Shanks is a T-AKES ship, a type of cargo ship used by the US Navy for transporting supplies and equipment. These ships are crucial for supporting military operations around the world.

The USNS David C. Shanks has a displacement of 34,000 tons and measures 610 feet in length. Its cargo capacity is substantial, making it an essential asset for the US Navy.

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The USNS David C. Shanks had a long and varied service history.

The ship was laid down for the Maritime Commission as MC hull 165, yard hull number 298, with prospective names of American Farmer / Gulfport, a Type C3-1N-P&C (Passenger & Cargo) ship by Ingalls Shipbuilding of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

It was completed on 24 April 1943 and turned over for operation by the US Army Transportation Service at Mobile, Alabama as USAT David C. Shanks.

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The ship's first voyage was in June 1943 to the Pacific, stopping at San Francisco Port of Embarkation for a voyage to Honolulu.

In July 1943, the ship made a voyage to the South West Pacific theatre (SWPA) to Brisbane and Milne Bay.

Minor modifications improving ventilation and armament were made at San Francisco in September 1943.

The ship resumed operations to SWPA ports including Auckland, Oro Bay, Noumea, Biak, and others.

The transport left San Francisco for the Atlantic in July 1945, heading to Leghorn, Italy, to return troops to Hampton Roads.

From Hampton Roads, the transport made two round trips to Marseilles and Gibraltar before stopping at New York in December 1945.

The ship then sailed for Leyte, Philippines, and after returning, it underwent modifications to transport 430 dependents and 678 troops.

The modified transport made a voyage to Honolulu, Auckland, and Sydney.

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The USNS David C. Shanks is a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship.

It has a length of 338 feet and a beam of 77 feet.

This ship was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

It has a top speed of 48 knots and is powered by four MTU 20V 4000 diesel engines.

The USNS David C. Shanks is part of the US Navy's Military Sealift Command.

It has a crew of 57 and can carry up to 312 troops.

The USNS David C. Shanks had a remarkable career, serving in the US Navy's Military Sealift Command.

It was named after a US Navy veteran, David C. Shanks, who received the Navy Cross for his heroism during the Vietnam War.

The ship's primary function was to transport military equipment and supplies, supporting US military operations around the world.

USNS David C. Shanks was a vital asset for the US Navy, providing critical logistics support to troops in need.

The ship's crew consisted of civilian mariners who were responsible for its safe operation and maintenance.

Despite its important role, the USNS David C. Shanks was not a combat vessel, but rather a support ship that played a crucial behind-the-scenes role in military operations.

The ship's career was marked by numerous deployments and missions, demonstrating its reliability and versatility.

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