Shenandoah

Specifications for USS Shenandoah (AD-26)

Length: 492'

Beam: 69' 6"

Draft: 28'

Displacement: 11,755 tons

Speed: 18 knots

Complement: 1,035

Armament: Two 5" guns, eight 40mm guns, twenty-two 20mm guns

USS Shenandoah (AD-26)

The third Shenandoah (AD-26) was laid down on 16 September 1944 by Todd Pacific Shipyards, Inc., Tacoma, WA; launched on 29 March 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Daniel Hunt, and commissioned on 13 August 1945, Capt. Albert C. Burrows in command.

Shenandoah completed her fitting out in December and sailed to the east coast, via the Panama Canal, where she reported for duty with Destroyer Force, United States Atlantic Fleet in January 1946. Until June 1947 she tended destroyers in various east coast ports; primarily at Norfolk, her home port. The tender deployed on her first tour of duty with the 6th Fleet from June through August 1947. In the next 20 years she was assigned 13 more tours in the Mediterranean.

Shenandoahs most publicized tour of duty was in 1964. She won international acclaim for her heroic rescue of the crew of the Dutch merchant ship Doris. The freighter broke loose from her moorings during the height of a storm and became impaled upon the rocks of Molo San Vincenzo in Naples outer harbor. The crew of the Shenandoah ran a line to the freighter, and all aboard were rescued minutes before

The destroyer tender also won recognition in 1965 for her repairs to the bow of the carrier Shangri-La (CV-38) that had collided with a destroyer during maneuvers. Shenandoah was awarded the Battle Efficiency Pennant for her competence in destroyer tending in 1952 and 1956. She was awarded the Engineering "E" in 1958 and 1965, and the Supply "E" in 1962, 1963, and 1967. Shenandoah was again deployed with the 6th Fleet in 1968, 1970, and 1973. She returned to her home port on 15 December 1973 and into July 1974 is tending ships on the east coast.

Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1976).

Shenandoah

A river formed by the junction of its north and south forks in Warren County, Virginia. It flows northeast some 55 miles, crosses the northeastern lip of West Virginia, and empties into the Potomac at Harpers Ferry, WV.

Source: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (Published 1991).

I left Camp Moffet, United States Navy Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes in January 1959 for my first ship homeported at Norfolk. On the way the Navy sceduled an A School at Norfolk, which lasted 6 weeks. The afternoon I completed my course of study I went over to mainside with my orders to catch my ship the USS Manley DD-940. When I got to the piers my ship had left the day before for GITMO. So I shlep my sea bag to the quarterdeack of the USS Shenandoah AD-26. There I was given TAD orders. I spent 3 months on the Shenandoah. Being a seaman I spent my time on polishing britework, giving the ship a clean sweep down every morning, cleaning heads, chipping and painting. I also stood messenger watches. My US Navy experience began on the Shenandoah. I loved it! Now that I am retired from the Navy I can say it only got better as I moved up the ladder. Years later I was really surprised when the USS Shenandoah had been decommissioned. When that happens to any ship it is always a very sad event... at least I think so.