USS Narraguagas (AOG-32) was a Mettawee-classgasoline tanker acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of transporting gasoline to warships in the fleet, and to remote Navy stations.
Narraguagas (ex MC hull 1529) was laid down 30 August 1944 by East Coast Ship Yard, Inc., Bayonne, New Jersey; launched 15 October 1944; acquired by the Navy from the Maritime Commission 20 November 1944; and commissioned 2 December 1944.
Arriving in the Ryukyus 13 June, she commenced refueling operations immediately. On 21 June, at 18:42, a surprise attack on the anchorage was staged by two Japanese planes. During the action one of the planes collided with Curtiss (AV-4), while the second splashed by the Coast Guard cutter Bibb (WPG-31).
End-of-war activity
Narraguagas resumed her vital refueling operations shortly thereafter, continuing them at Kerama Retto until 7 July. She then shifted to Buckner Bay, and operated in the Ryukyus until getting underway for the United States at the end of the year.
Post-war decommissioning and commercial service
Arriving at San Pedro 10 January 1946, she commenced inactivation. Decommissioned 5 March, she was struck from the Navy List 12 April 1947 and was transferred to the Maritime Commission in June 1947 for disposal. Later that year, she was sold to Creole Petroleum Corporation, in Maracaibo, Venezuela and renamed Esso Maracaibo. In 1956, she was renamed again, to Yurtia, and in 1961 to Sarita.[1] The tanker was scrapped in 1970.[2]
