USS SANTA BARBARA
- Name: USS SANTA BARBARA
- Ship Class: Fast Attach ammunition
- Ship Number: AE-28
- Date Commissioned: 1970-07-17 00:00:00 UTC
- Status:
Ship History:
SANTA BARBARA is the third ship commissioned in the KILAUEA Class of fast attack ammunition ships with the mission to transport and deliver ammunition, missiles, and accessories to the various ships in the Fleet, while underway. Her keel was laid on 19 December 1966 at the Sparrow’s Point Maryland shipyard of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and sponsored by Mrs. Graene C. Bannerman at her launching on 23 January 1968. SANTA BARBARA was commissioned and joined the Atlantic Fleet on 11 July 1970. Originally home ported in Davisville, Rhode Island, her home port was changed to Charleston, South Carolina, one of America’s oldest and most historic cities. To this date she remains home ported at Charleston’s Naval Weapons Station.
The ship’s insignia combines this ancient legend with contemporary America. The lightning on the protective banner is symbolic of the protection Santa Barbara gives against flame and lighting. The mountains and sun are borrowed from the official seal of the City of Santa Barbara, representing the natural beauty of the Southern California city. “Nos Numerus Unus,” which means “We are number one” in Latin, is a very fitting description of the ship and her crew. Their intense pride in their ship is exemplified by the professionalism they display in their work.
