[Llarry]

Over in the airplane thread I featured the Martin P5M (P-5), the last U.S. Navy flying boat.

The flying boat depended on seaplane tenders for support: fuel, maintenance and berthing if at remote locations. In World War II the USN bought a number of large (15,000+ tons) seaplane tenders (AV) and a larger number of small (2,500 tons or so) seaplane tenders (AVP). Since the Navy operated the P-5 until 1967, including during the Vietnam War, they kept seaplane tenders active for the same timeframe.

I believe the last AVP served until 1973, although it was no longer being used as a seaplane tender; the USS Valcour (AVP 55) was instead repurposed as a flagship (AGF 1) for Commander, Middle East Force. In those days, Middle East Force was a small command with a couple of destroyers deployed at any given time -- a far cry from today. The Valcour was painted white instead of gray in recognition of the hot temps encountered.

Anyway, here are the tender photos. While I don't know the lift capacity of the seaplane cranes, the P-5 weighed about 55,000 lbs empty.