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Mission Loreto
T2-SE-A2
Mission Buenaventura Class Fleet Oiler:
 
"Mission Loreto", just before launch.
"FIGHT WITH IKE"
“Fight with Ike" is fhe battle cry carried by the 10,000-hp tanker "Mission Loreto" on her
bow as she slides down the ways of Marinship on June 28, 1944. This tanker trim was
executed by Charles Pearson, former sign painter now working as a hull painfer at the yard.
 USNS Mission Loreto (T-AO-116) underway in Long Beach Harbor area, date unknown.
( Photo thanks to David Buell )

MISSION LORETO, T2-SE-A2
History :
Built by Marinship Co., Sausalito, California.
Yardnumber 48. UMSC No. 1824. Off. nr. 246141.
Keel laid 27-04-1944. Launched 28-06-1944. Completed 22-07-1944. Gr. 10448 t., Net. 6423 t., Dw. 16613 t. L.o.a. 159,57 m., Br. 20,78 m., Dr. 8,99 m. Engine: 2 steam turbines, manufactured by General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachussetts. 10000 B.h.p., 7356 kW. Speed 15 knots. 26 Tanks.
History:
MISSION LORETO-1944 Delivered to the War Shipping Administration, 22 July, for operation under charter by Los Angeles Tanker Operators, Inc.
MISSION LORETO-1946 Returned to the Maritime Commission, 26 April, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Mobile, AL.
AO-116 MISSION LORETO-1947 Acquired by the Navy, 20 November, designated SS Mission Loreto (AO-116) and assigned to the Naval Transportation Service (NTS).
T-AO-116 MISSION LORETO-1949 Absorbed into the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS), 1 October and redesignated USNS Mission Loreto (T-AO-116).
T-AO-116 MISSION LORETO-1955 Placed out of service, struck from the Naval Register, and returned to the Maritime Administration, 25 August, for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Beaumont, TX.
T-AO-116 MISSION LORETO-1956 Reacquired by the Navy, 25 June, and placed in service with MSTS on the same date.
T-AO-116 MISSION LORETO-1959 Place out of service, struck from the Naval Register and returned to the National Defense Reserve Fleet, Suisun Bay, Benecia, CA., 16 July 1959.
Additional Reports :
Reported Mission Loreto sold to shipbreakers in USA. Arrived Portland, Oregon 2 Sep. 1975 to be broken up. [ By Zidell Explorations Inc. ]

SS Mission Loreto, T2 tanker, hull # 48, keel laid 4/27/44, launched June 28, 1944 Sponsor: Mrs. S.D. Bechtel; Maid of Honor: Barbara Bechtel. Reserve, Suisun Bay, CA 1959. In USMC Reserve Fleet in October, 1960.