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The following was released by the Office of the Assistant to the
Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs):

                                           No. 435-94
                                           (703)697-5342(media)
                                           (703)697-3189(copies)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE      July 21, 1994       (703)697-
                                           5737(public/industry)

 NAVY ANNOUNCES CHRISTENING OF FLEET OILER PATUXENT (T-AO 201)

     A christening ceremony will be held for the U.S. Navy's
newest fleet oiler Patuxent (T-AO 201) on Saturday, July 23,
1994, at Avondale Industries, New Orleans, Louisiana, commencing
at 10 a.m.

     Patuxent (T-AO 201) honors its namesake river in Maryland.
Two previous U.S. Navy ships have borne this name.  The first, a
fleet tug (AT 11) served from 1909-1924.  The second, also a
fleet oiler (AO 44) earned eight battle stars for service in
World War II.

     Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland is the ship's sponsor.
In the age old Navy tradition, Senator Mikulski will break a
bottle of champagne over the bow and formally name the ship.
Secretary of the Navy John Dalton will be the ceremony's
principal speaker.

      Patuxent is the 16th of 18 Henry J. Kaiser Class ships
currently authorized by Congress.  The ship's primary mission is
to transport and deliver bulk petroleum products from shore
depots to combatant and support ships underway, making those
ships as independent as possible of overseas fuel sources.
Patuxent has a cargo capacity in excess of 180,000 barrels of
fuel, is equipped with the SLQ-25 Nixie towed torpedo decoy, and
is fitted for the Vulcan Phalanx close-in weapon system.  The
ship is also equipped with a helicopter landing platform.

     Patuxent is 678 feet in length, has a beam of 98 feet, and
displaces about 40,700 tons fully loaded.  It will be operated by
the Military Sealift Command with a complement of 95 civilian (20
officers), and 21 naval (one officer) personnel.
                               -USN-