USS Canisteo (AO-99)

USS Canisteo (AO-99) was a Cimarron-class fleet oiler constructed for the United States Navy at the end of World War II. Though commissioned too late for participation in that conflict, the ship had a significant and varied career during the Cold War. It was named after the Canisteo River in New York and was the only U.S. Navy ship to bear this name.

Launched on 6 July 1945 by Bethlehem Steel-Sparrows Point Shipyard in Maryland and commissioned on 3 December 1945, Canisteo's first operation involved transporting diesel oil to naval units in Germany. She then carried out training operations in the Caribbean, Iceland, and Greenland.

Participating in Operation Highjump, the largest Antarctic expedition to that time, Canisteo provided vital support between November 1946 and April 1947. Following this, she served four tours supporting the U.S. 6th Fleet, carrying oil from Bahrain to the Mediterranean and fueling various naval exercises.

During the 1950s, Canisteo was involved in augmenting NATO strength through significant operations and continued to participate in fleet and NATO exercises through 1960. Between 1966 and 1968, she underwent "jumboization," where a new 400-foot midsection was inserted, increasing her liquid cargo capacity by over one-third.

Morale aboard the ship was problematic in the late 1970s, culminating in crew issues that prevented her from returning to sea on schedule in 1979. This was the first such delay for a U.S. Navy ship since the Revolutionary War. The reasons for this delay have been contested, with some blaming defense spending cuts, while others point to more complex underlying issues.

Further challenges arose in 1978, when poor morale led to three men jumping overboard at sea within two days. Following an investigation, the ship's captain and about half the crew were replaced.

Canisteo managed to overcome these difficulties in the 1980s, engaging in Caribbean operations, North Atlantic and NATO exercises, and law enforcement efforts in the War on Drugs. She also participated in wreckage recovery operations for the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

Canisteo's service history reflects a vessel that played a vital logistical role across various naval operations, adapted to new technologies, and managed to recover from a series of challenges and controversies. Her varied assignments showcased the Navy's commitment to exploration, international cooperation, and domestic law enforcement.