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"USS Mauna Loa - Ammo Ship" Topic


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616 hits since 6 Jan 2025
©1994-2025 Bill Armintrout
Comments or corrections?

Personal logo Editor in Chief Bill The Editor of TMP Fezian06 Jan 2025 10:57 p.m. PST

I was reading recently about a distant cousin who served on USS Mauna Loa throughout her wartime service.

Was it really naval practice to name ammunition ships after volcanoes? Black humor there…

Do they still have designated ammo ships, or is that practice obsolete now?

The Mauna Loa ran into danger twice in her service. First, while loading USS Pennsylvania, excess bags piled on the Pennsylvania's forward deck led to one bag catching fire, with sparks exploding into the air (some landing in the Mauna Loa's hold!). Fortunately, someone got a hose on it quickly.

Later, they thought it was safe to unload ammo at night (presumably with lights on) to a warship. But "an unknown aircraft" strafed the Mauna Loa, so they never did that again!

The Mauna Loa was eventually used to replenish warships at sea rather than in harbor, and in one five month period, replenished 99 ships.

My relative was a sheet-metal worker pre-war, and served in the Navy as MSMTH2 (metalsmith 2nd class), later 1st class.

Personal logo ColCampbell Supporting Member of TMP07 Jan 2025 9:06 a.m. PST

Yes, they were frequently named for volcanoes -- link

Jim

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