The U.S.S. Saugatuck was built at Sun Shipbuilding and Drydock Company with her keel being laid on August 20, 1942 as MC Hull #335. She was launched on December 7, 1942 as Newton, T2-SE-A1, a Suamico Class Tanker. On December 21, 1942 Newton was delivered to the United States Navy. On February 14, 1943 she was commissioned as the U.S.S Saugatuck AO 75.
In 1946 she was renamed the Newton after being taken out of service. Shortly after, in 1948, she was back in service as the U.S.S. Saugatuck and served active duty until she was transferred to the Maritime Administration, National Defense Reserve Fleet on May 1, 1999 at the James River Reserve Fleet, Fort Eustis, VA.
In July 2006 MARAD listed the Saugatuck under their disposal program. At that time Bay Bridge Enterprises had been awarded on 06-02-2006 a contract for $549,999 to dispose of the Saugatuck. The removal date from the James River Reserve Fleet (JRRF) was listed as 07-18-2006 and final disposal was listed as in process.
On January 3, 2008 MARAD National Defense Reserve Fleet Inventory listed status as: Saugatuck T-AOT75 1943 T2-SE-A1 Chesapeake, VA – Disposal Historic
On June 1, 2008 the U.S.S. Saugatuck T-AOT75 began the scrapping process at Bay Bridge Enterprises bringing an end to 66 years as an American T2 Tanker.