Scene on the Sound: USNS Washington Chambers

USNS Washington Chambers
Photo by Jan Hansen

USNS WASHINGTON CHAMBERS is the eleventh LEWIS AND CLARK - class Dry Cargo / Ammunition Ship and the first ship in the Navy named for Capt. Washington Irving Chambers, a pioneer in naval aviation history. 

Among his many accomplishments, Chambers arranged for the world's first take-off and landing of an airplane on a warship - confirming the potential of carrier-based naval aviation operations.

Awarded: December 12, 2008
Keel laid: August 25, 2009
Launched: September 11, 2010
Delivered: February 23, 2011
Builder: National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif.
Propulsion system: Integrated propulsion and ship service electrical system, with generation at 6.6KV by FM/MAN B/W diesel generators
Propellers: one
Length: 689 feet (210 meters)
Beam: 106 feet (32.31 meters)
Draft: 29.5 feet (9 meters)
Displacement: approx. 41,000 tons full load
Speed: 20 knots
Dry Cargo Capacity: 1,388,000 cubic feet
Fuel Cargo Capacity: 26,000 barrels
Aircraft: two helicopters
Armament: none
Crew: approx. 125 civilians and up to 49 US Navy
Homeport: Pacific