USS Merrimack (AO-37)

History
United States
Name	SS Caddo
Namesake	The Caddo River in Arkansas
Ordered	12 September 1940
Builder	Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard
Launched	1 July 1941
Acquired	31 December 1941
Commissioned	4 February 1942
Renamed	USS Merrimack 9 February 1942
Namesake	The Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire
Decommissioned	8 February 1950
Recommissioned	6 December 1950
Decommissioned	20 December 1954
Honors and awards	8 battle stars (World War II)
Fate	Sold 19 March 1982
General characteristics
Class and type	Kennebec class oiler
Type	MARAD T2
Tonnage	15,910 DWT
Displacement	21,077 tons
Length	501 ft 8 in (152.91 m)
Beam	68 ft (21 m)
Draft	29 ft 8.5 in (9.055 m)
Depth	37 ft (11 m)
Installed power	12,000 shp (8,900 kW)
Propulsion	geared steam turbine single screw
Speed	16.5 knots (30.6 km/h)
Range	8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)
Capacity	130,000 bbl (~18,000 t)
Complement	214–247
Armament	1 × 5"/38 caliber gun mounts 4 × 3"/50 caliber gun mounts 8 × 40 mm AA gun mounts 8 × 20 mm AA gun mounts 2 × depth charge projectors

The third USS Merrimack (AO-37) (ex-Caddo) was one of five Kennebec-class fleet oilers (also known as a type T2 tanker) built during World War II for service in the United States Navy. She also service in the Cold War. She was named after the Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.