USS Namakagon ( AOG - 53 ) USS " Namakagon " ( AOG - 53 ) was a built for the United States Navy during World War II . In some sources , the ship ' s name is also spelled Namakogon . After her decommissioning from the U . S . Navy in 1957 , the former " Namakagon " served as Antarctic supply vessel HMNZS " Endeavour " ( A814 ) for the Royal New Zealand Navy ( 1962 – 1971 ) , and as ROCS " Lung Chuan " for the Republic of China Navy . " Lung Chuan " ended active service when she was decommissioned from the Republic of China Navy in 2005 . United States Navy career . " Namakagon " was laid down 1 August 1944 by Cargill , Inc . , Savage , Minnesota ; launched 4 November 1944 ; sponsored by Mrs . Alfred J . Scobba ; and commissioned 18 June 1945 , Lt . ( jg ) Milton R . High in command . The gasoline tanker " Namakagon " completed her U . S . Gulf Coast shakedown and , having filled her tanks at Baytown , Texas , departed for the Pacific Ocean , 19 July 1945 . She arrived at Pearl Harbor as hostilities in the Pacific ceased and on 20 August continued on to Midway Island . Based at Pearl Harbor , she carried fuel to various islands of the Pacific , including Johnston Island , Canton Island , Marcus Island , Truk , Guam , Saipan , Okinawa , Peleliu , and Kyūshū , for over 18 months , then returned to the U . S . West Coast . In early June , 1947 , she completed overhaul at San Pedro , California , and on the 9th steamed north to her new homeport , Kodiak , Alaska . From there and from ports in Washington , she carried passengers and mixed cargo as she operated a gasoline provisioning shuttle to naval bases and stations on the coast and in the Aleutians . Detached from Kodiak in 1953 , she returned to Pearl Harbor , whence she operated until June 1957 . She then sailed to Mare Island , California , where she decommissioned , 20 September 1957 , and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet . Military awards and honors . Namakagon ' s crew was eligible for the following medals : Royal New Zealand Navy career . On 27 June 1962 , custody of " Namakagon " was transferred to the Commandant , 12th Naval District for activation , following which she was transferred , under the Military Aid Program , to the Royal New Zealand Navy , on 5 October 1962 . Commissioned as HMNZS " Endeavour " ( A184 ) , an Antarctic supply ship , she delivered fuel to research bases on the seventh continent , bringing over 1 million gallons each year to McMurdo Sound alone , since 1963 . " Endeavour " was decommissioned and returned to U . S . custody in 1971 . The ship reportedly qualified for the U . S . Navy ' s Antarctic Service Medal but was never authorized to receive it by the government of New Zealand . Republic of China Navy career . The former " Namakagon " was leased to the Republic of China Navy in 1971 and renamed ROCS " Lung Chuan " ( AOG - 515 ) . Her pennant number was later changed to " AOG - 507 " . Although " Lung Chuan " remained in the custody of the Republic of China Navy , the vessel was returned to the U . S . on paper in 1976 , struck from the American Naval Vessel Register on 15 April , and sold back to the Republic of China . " Lung Chuan " was decommissioned on 1 April 2005 at Kaohsiung , Taiwan . Her final disposition is unknown .