SS Mission Santa Barbara was a Type T2-SE-A2 tanker built for the United States Maritime Commission during World War II.

Mission Santa Barbara was laid down 8 April 1944 under a Maritime Commission contract by Marine Ship Corporation, Sausalito, California; launched 8 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Carl H. Nilson; and delivered 8 July 1944.

Transferred to the new Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) on 1 October 1949, she was redesignated USNS Mission Santa Barbara (T-AO-131).

Upon completion of the conversion and delivery in February 1967 Seatrain Carolina, IMO 6700456, was chartered to the MSTS in support of overseas U.S. military operations, including the transport of material, equipment and aircraft to Vietnam.

The ship was transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet (James River) in 1974 and on 8 August 1978, her name was changed to just Carolina.