USS Victoria (AO-46)
USS Victoria (AO-46) was an American Navy oiler that served in World War II and was the second ship to bear the name. She began life in 1917 as the civilian tanker SS George G. Henry, built in San Francisco for the Pan American Petroleum & Transport Company. Requisitioned by the Navy in 1918, she served as USS George G. Henry (ID-1560) in World War I, including an engagement with German submarine U-152, and later helped carry aviation fuel and military stores before being decommissioned in 1919 and returned to her owners.
After years in civilian service (under American and later Panamanian registry), she carried oil between the Americas and the Pacific. In 1941–42, during World War II, she continued fuel operations in the Pacific. In April 1942 she was taken over by the Navy, renamed Victoria (AO-46), and converted in Sydney, Australia. The crew included survivors from Langley, Peary and Pecos.
From late 1942 onward, Victoria operated along the Australian coast and in New Guinea, fueling Allied ships and earning the nickname The Galloping Ghost of the Aussie Coast for her speed and perseverance. She supported operations at Brisbane, Townsville, Milne Bay, Porlock Harbor, Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, Mios Woendi and Seeadler Harbor, supplying fuel to destroyers, cruisers, and carriers and often operating at night. She aided in the Leyte Gulf and Philippine campaigns and even acted as a rescue and radio ship after the war ended.
Victoria returned to the United States later in 1945, was decommissioned on 14 December 1945, struck from the Navy list on 8 January 1946, and scrapped in 1949. For her World War II service she earned four battle stars.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 17:20 (CET).