The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War IItugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Type V ships were used to move ships and barges. Type V tugboats were made of either steel or wood hulls. There were four types of tugboats ordered for World War II. The largest type V design was the sea worthy 186-foot (57 m) long steel hull, V4-M-A1. The V4-M-A1 design was used by a number of manufacturers; a total of 49 were built. A smaller steel hull tugboat was the 94-foot (29 m) V2-ME-A1; 26 were built. The largest wooden hull was the 148-foot (45 m) V3-S-AH2, of which 14 were built. The smaller wooden hull was the 58-foot (18 m) V2-M-AL1, which 35 were built. Most V2-M-AL1 tugboats were sent to the United Kingdom for the war efforts under the lend-lease act. The Type V tugs served across the globe during World War II including: Pacific War, European theatre, and in the United States. SS Farallon, and other Type V tugs, were used to help built Normandy ports, including Mulberry harbour, on D-Day, 6 June 1944, and made nine round trips to Normandy to deliver Phoenix breakwaters.[1][2]
Tugboats are used to maneuver vessels and barges by pushing or towing them. Tugs are needed to move vessels that either should not move by themselves, such as large ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal, or those that can not move by themselves, like as barges, disabled ships, or log rafts.[3] Tugboats are powerful for their small size and are strongly built. Early tugboats used steam engines, but most have diesel engines now. Many tugboats have firefighting water cannons, allowing them to assist in firefighting, especially in harbors. Some minesweepers like USS Vireo, USS Lark and USS Kingfisher were converted to ocean tugs for the war.
Ships in class
V2-ME-A1
Named for small US ports. They had steel hulls, with a displacement of 325 long tons (330 t), 100 ft (30 m) long, with a beam of 25 ft (7.6 m), and a draft of 11.5 ft (3.5 m). Many had Enterprise or Alco diesel engines that ranged from 700 to 1,000 hp (520 to 750 kW) with electric drives. They were classified the Hiawatha-class tug in US Navy service, with an original designation of YT, "District Harbor Tug". On 15 May 1944, they were redesignated YTB, "District Harbor Tug, Large", before finally being designated YTM, "Harbor Tug, Medium", in February 1962. The 26 V2-ME-A1's were built by six different builders; Birchfield Shipbuilding & Boiler Co., Inc., Tacoma, Washington, 6 tugs; Canulette Shipbuilding, Slidell, Louisiana, 4 tugs; Calumet Shipyard & Drydock, Chicago, Illinois, 5 tugs; Ira. S. Bushey & Sons, Brooklyn, New York, 5 tugs; General Ship & Engine Works, East Boston, Massachusetts, 2 tugs; and Brunswick Marine Construction Corporation, Brunswick, Georgia, 4 tugs.[4][5]
V4-M-A1
Named after lighthouses, the V4-M-A1's were the largest and most powerful tugs in the world when they were built in 1943. They had steel hulls, with a displacement of 1,613 long tons (1,639 t), 195 ft (59 m) long, with a beam of 37.5 ft (11.4 m), and a draft of 15.5 ft (4.7 m). The V4-M-A1 had a maximum speed of 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph). There were two engine manufacturers: National Supply Company, with 8–cylinder sets of 3,200 bhp (2,400 kW), and the Enterprise Engine & Trading Company, with 6–cylinders and 2,340 bhp (1,740 kW) power. The V4-M-A1's were operated by Moran Towing & Transportation, in New York, on behalf of the War Shipping Administration.
Built by: Avondale Marine, in Westego, Louisiana, General Ships & Engine, in East Boston, Pennsylvania Shipyards, in Beaumont, Texas, Globe Shipbuilding, in Superior, Wisconsin, Froemming Brothers, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Pendleton Shipbuilding, in New Orleans, Louisiana.[26][27][28][29][30]
Seguin, scrapped 1976
Sand Key, scrapped 1977
Sanibel Island, scrapped 1972
Sabine Pass, helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1978
Point Loma, scrapped 1972
Anacapa, scrapped 1973
Point Vicente, sold to Mexico, 1969, renamed Huitilopochtli (A 51)
Point Arguello, scrapped 1973
Matagorda, sank 1946
Aransas Pass, scrapped 1973
Sombrero Key, sold to Argentina, 1965, renamed Thompson, scrapped
Dry Tortugas, sold to Argentina, 1965, renamed Goyena, scrapped
Southwest Pass, scrapped 1973
Montauk Point, sold to Mexico, 1969, renamed Quetzalcoatl (A 12)
Moose Peak, helped with Normandy landings, sold to Mexico, 1969, sank 1974[31]
Boon Island, sank 1976
Gay Head, helped with Normandy landings, scrapped 1977
Bodie Island, helped with Normandy landings, scrapped 1973
Great Isaac, helped with Normandy landings, sank 1947, collision with Norwegian freighter Bandeirante
Tybee, scrapped 1978
Point Sur, scrapped 1974
Farallon, used to build Normandy port on D-Day, 6 June 1944, made 9 round trips to Normandy, sold to Mexico, 1969, scrapped 1978
Point Cabrillo, scrapped 1974
Trinidad Head, helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1969
Scotch Cap, scrapped
Watch Hill, scrapped 1973
Wood Island, scrapped 1973
Sands Point, scrapped 1982
Point Judith, scrapped 1978
Black Rock, helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1969
Sankaty Head, helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1978
Yaqina Head, sold private 1971, scrapped
Bald Island, scrapped 1973
Fire Island, scrapped 1972
Libby Island, sold private 1971, scrapped
St. Simon, scrapped 1977
Petit Manan, scrapped 1976
Burnt Island, sold too Mexico 1969, scrapped 1979
Stratford Point, scrapped 1978
Two Harbors, scrapped 1972
White Shoal, sold private 1975, scrapped
Cubits Gap, scrapped 1976
Hillsboro Inlet, helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1977
Jupiter Inlet, sold private 1971, scrapped
Pigeon Point, sold too Mexico, 1969, scrapped 1970
Point Arena, scrapped 1976
Bayou St. John, scrapped 1977
Mobile Point, sank 1944
Race Point, scrapped 1972
V3-S-AH2
Some were classed as YTB-"District Harbor Tug Large". A Douglas fir wood hull ship with a displacement of 1,220 long tons (1,240 t), 157 ft (48 m) long, with a beam of 32 ft (9.8 m), and a draft of 15 ft (4.6 m). They had triple-expansionreciprocating engines producing 1,000 hp (750 kW). They were capable of 10 kn (19 km/h; 12 mph) without a tow and about 6 kn (11 km/h; 6.9 mph) with a tow. They had a range of 1,500 mi (2,400 km). The V3-S-AH2's were manned by a crew of 27. They were built by Corpus Christi Shipyard, Corpus Christi, Texas, Puget Sound SB Company, Olympia, Washington, Standard Shipbuilding Company, San Pedro, California, and Astoria Shipbuilding, Astoria, Oregon.[32]
Sustainer, intended for the United Kingdom, as Atworth but sold to USSR
Compeller, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atherida, sold private 1948, scrapped
Dexterous, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Athelney, sold to Trinidad, 1945, to Caymans, 1948, scrapped 1951
Mighty, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atil, sold private 1948, scrapped
Secure, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Attigny, sold private 1948, scrapped 1955
Forthright, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Attock, to USN renamed YTB 610, to USSR 1944 renamed Forthright
Power, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atengo, sold to Italy, 1947 renamed Titano, scrapped 1974
Steadfast, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atako, wrecked and lost, 1944
Durable, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Ataran, to Italy, 1947, renamed Ciclope, scrapped
Spirited, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atolia, to Trinidad, 1948, to Caymans 1951, scrapped
Helper, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atoyac, to Italy, 1949, renamed Nereo
Resister, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atiamuri, sold to Italy, 1947, sold to Israel, 1954
Superb, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atwood, sold to Trinidad, 1948, sold to Caymans, 1951, scrapped
Robust, sold to the United Kingdom, renamed Atmore, sold private, 1948, scrapped
V2-M-AL1
Port Sewall class tug. Named for American ports. All but one tug went for Lend-Lease use, some serviced in the Mediterranean Sea in WW2. V2-M-AL1 were: Wood hull, 90 tons, beam 19 foot, diesel engine with 240 horsepower, fuel Oil: 1920 gallons. Built by Puget Sound SB, Standard SB, Steinbach IW, Eureka Shipbuilding, Arlington SB, Texas SB, Siletz BW, Blair Company, Marinette Marine and Texas SB.[33][34]
Port SewallTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" Tug, USA. (YN 1563)
Port KennedyTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 1564
Port ReadingTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 1565
Port CostaTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 1
Port San LuisTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 2
Port ChicagoTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 3
Port GambleTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 4
Port TobaccoTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA" YN 5
Port HaywoodTo US Navy renamed YTL 718, sold private 1947 renamed Limpiar. (YTL= District Harbor Tug Small)[35]
Port InglisTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port MayacaTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port OrangeTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port RicheyTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port St. JoeTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port Tampa City To the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port ArthurTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port BolivarTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port LavacaTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port NechesTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port O'ConnorTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port SullivanTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port StanleyTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port TownsendTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port EwenTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port GibsonTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port JeffersonTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port LeydenTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port AustinTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port HomerTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port HopeTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port SanilacTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port WilliamTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port WingTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port SulphurTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
Port TrevertonTo the United Kingdom as a "TUSA"
ATR-1-class rescue tug
ATR-1 class - Auxiliary Tug Rescue was a wooden-hulled rescue tug that was built by Wheeler SB, Northwest Shipbuilding, Frank L. Sample, Jakobson Shipyard, Camden SB, Lynch SB, and Fulton Shipyard in 1944 and 1945. The 89 ATR-1-class tugs serve during World War II in both Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the European theatre of World War II. 40 of ATR-1 class had a displacement of 852 tons light and 1,315 tons fully loaded. They had a length of 165 feet 6 inches (50.44 m), a beam of 33 feet 4 inches (10.16 m) and draft of 15 feet 6 inches (4.72 m). Top speed of 12.2 knots (22.6 km/h; 14.0 mph). The largest boom had a capacity of 4 tons. They were armed with one 3-inch/50-caliber gun and two single Oerlikon 20 mm cannon. The crew complement was five officers and 47 enlisted men. They had a fuel capacity of 1,620 bbl (258 m3). The propulsion was one Fulton Iron Works vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine with two Babcock and Wilcox "D"-type boilers with a single propeller creating 1,600 shp (1,200 kW). They had two turbo drive Ships Service Generators, rated at 60 kW 120 V D.C. Example is USS ATR-31.[36][37][38][39]
Cherokee-class tugboat
The Cherokee class of fleet tugboats, originally known as the Navajo class, were built for the US Navy for World War II with a displacement of 1,235 long tons (1,255 t). They had a length of 205 ft (62 m), a beam of 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m), a draft of 18 ft (5.5 m). Their propulsion was composed of a diesel-electric engine with one shaft creating 3,600 hp (2,700 kW) and a top speed of 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph). They were give the hull classification symbol of "AT" for "Auxiliary Tug". The tugs were built by Bethlehem Mariners Harbor, Staten Island, Charleston Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, and United Engineering Co. Example: USS Navajo.[40]
Abnaki-class tugboat
Abnaki-class tugboat were ocean fleet tugboats that were built for the US Navy for World War II with a displacement of 1,589 tons, a length of 205 ft 0 in (62.48 m), a beam of 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m), and a draft of 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m). They had a propulsion of: 4 × General Motors 12-278A diesel main engines, 4 × General Electric generators, 3 × General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines, with a single screw of 3,600 shp (2,700 kW) and a top speed: 16.5 knots. Class ATF for Auxiliary Tug Fleet. Built by Charleston Shipbuilding & Drydock. Example: USS Abnaki (ATF-96).[41]
Sotoyomo-class tugboat
Sotoyomo-class tugboat were tugboats that were built for the US Navy for World War II with a displacement of 534 long tons (543 t) light, 835 long tons (848 t) full, a length of 143 ft (44 m), a beam of 33 ft (10 m) and a draft of 13 ft (4.0 m). They had a propulsion of diesel-electric engine with a single screw and a top speed of 13 knots. Harbor tugs (YT) were named after American Indian tribes: Example tug is the USS Ontario (AT-13)[42][43]
Hisada class harbor tug is a subclass of Cahto-class district harbor tug. Hisada class harbor had the same design as the 260-ton Cahto-class district harbor tug.
Harbor tugs (YT) were named after American Indian tribes. Example tugs: USS Nabigwon (YTB-521) and USS Wabanquot (YTB-525).[48]
For World War 2 the US Army had tugboats built to move cargo barges in harbors. The Army often called the tug a Sea Mule, used to move US Army barges. Astoria Marine Construction Company built 15 MTL.[50]
Small wood US Army MTL Harbor Tugboats, 14 model 324-A with a length of 47 feet, a beam of 12 feet. MTL is for Motor Towing Launch. The Army had built 1,251 marine tractors (MT) and marine tow launches (MTL) by 41 boatbuilders. MT tugs were either 26 feet or 36 feet (Design 329) in length and the MTL were 46 feet.[51]
US Army TP Harbor Tug with displacement 185 tons gross, a length of 96 feet, a beam 25 feet, a draft of 11 feet, Power one Fairbanks–Morse six cylinder diesel engine to a single propeller with 450 shp. The TP is for "Tug/Passenger". The US Army had 43 of this 96-foot tugs built for World War 2, Ackerman Boat Company` built 15 of them.[52][53][54][55]
US Army had built 170 of the 65-foot, diesel-powered, passenger / cargo boats. These could also be used as harbor tugs. These were known as tug-transports, or T-boats.[56]
Bagaduce-class tugboat WW1
Bagaduce-class tugboat were World War 1 tug boats used in World War 1 and World War 2. During World War 1 these were called YMT-Yard Motor Tug. Engineered with a displacement of 1,000 long tons (1,016 t) (normal) and a length of 156 ft 8 in (47.75 m), a beam of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a draft of 14 ft 7 in (4.45 m), with a top speed of 12.4 knots. USS Example USS Sagamore (AT-20).[57]
Arapaho-class fleet tug WW1
Arapaho-class fleet tug were World War 1 tug boats used in World War 1 and World War 2.
Engineered with a displacement of 575 tons and a length of 122 ft 6 in (37.34 m), a beam of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a draft of 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m), with a top speed of 11 knots.
Ships in class:
AT-14 Arapaho later renamed: YT-121 in 1936 then sold in 1937, renamed Evridiki in 1960, sold and renamed Faneromini in 1968. Scrapped in 1986.
AT-16 Tillamook later renamed YT-122 in 1936, renamed YTM-122 in 1944. Scrapped in 1947[58]
Canada Tugs
Modified Ocean Warrior-class Tugs built by Kingston Ship Builder in Kingston ON. GT of 233 tons, 105 feet long, Beam of 26.2' and Draft of 12.5' with 1000HP, max of 14 knots, Steel hull, built between 1945 and 1946.[59][60]
Rockglen
Rockforest
Rockpigeon
Rockdoe
Rockswift
Rockelm
Rockswift
Rockwing
Rockcliffe
Rockmount
Rockport
Rockland
Rockhill
Rockwood
Rockruby
Rockhawk
Rockthrush
Rockcrystal
Notable incidents
Sonoma tug sank off Dio Island in action at San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines when an enemy bomber crashed into her on 24 October 1944.[61]
USS Partridge (AM-16) a Minesweeper, converted to a tug, Ocean Tug AT-138, sank after a torpedo from a German E-Boat hit on 11 June 1944. She sank on way to France at 49°30′N 00°50′W / 49.500°N 0.833°W / 49.500; -0.833, about 11 nmi (13 mi; 20 km) north of Vierville-sur-Mer.[62]
Matagorda a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1946.[63]
Boon Island a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1976.[64]
Moose Peak a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1974. She was a Merchant Marine Ship at Normandy.[65]
Great Isaac a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1947.[66]
MV 'Mobile Point' a V4-M-A1 tug sank on 23 December 1944 after collided with the SS Beaton Park, a British cargo ship off the coast of Oregon, near the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge.[67][68]
USS Pokagon (YT-274) sank near Green Cove Springs, Fla. after she capsized on 27 September 1947.[72]
USS Shahaka (YTB-368) sank after colliding with USS ABSD-2, a floating drydock, midway between the California coast and the Hawaiian Islands at 27° 21'N 136° 29'W in June 1944.[73]
^Lambert, Bruce (11 January 1992). "James E. Hair, 76, Naval Officer Whose Unit Broke Color Bar, Dies". The New York Times. New York. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
^Cahto-class district harbor tug, 260 Ton , shipbuildinghistory.com
^Hisada class harbor tug, 260 Ton, shipbuildinghistory.com
^Woban Class District tug, 260 Ton, shipbuildinghistory.com
^U.S. Army Tug-Transports (T, TP) shipbuildinghistory.com
^U.S. Army Marine Tractors (MT, MTL) Built During WWII shipbuildinghistory.com
^USAV TP-123 navsource.org
^TP-111 tugboatinformation.com
^TP 107 - Daring tugboatinformation.com
^TP-118 tugboatinformation.com
^U.S. Army Tug-Transports (T-Boats) shipbuildinghistory.com
^USS Bagaduce (AT-21) at the Navy History and Heritage Command This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^shipbuildinghistory.com Tug List
^shipbuildinghistory.com, Canada ships of WW2
^A Bridge of Ships: Canadian Shipbuilding During the Second World War, By James Pritchard, page 281
^Directory of Tugs ATO
^usspartridge.com
^tugboatinformation.com Matagorda tug
^Boon Island a V4-M-A1 tug
^shipbuildinghistory.com, General Ship, East Boston MA
^Great Isaac a V4-M-A1
^Mobile Point a V4-M-A1
^Screening Level Risk Assessment Package Mobile Point
^navsource.org, YTL-566
^navsource.org, YTL-199
^navsource.org, Triton (YT-10)
^historycentral.com, USS Pokagon (YT-274)
^navsource, USS Shahaka (YTB-368)
^"Sub sinks a tug boat". YouTube video. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
^.navsource, YT-198
^navsource.org, Arapaho
^navsource, AT-200
^navsource, ATR-15
^Chetco
^US Navy Typhoon Louise
^navsource Catawba
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