Type V ship

File:Tug Red Cloud YTB-268.jpg

Red Cloud (YTB-268), a type V2-ME-A1, alongside USNS David C. Shanks (T-AP-180), at the Golden Gate at San Francisco, CA., 1950s

The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War II tugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War and 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 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 V2-ME-A1, 26 were built. The largest wooden hull was the 148-foot V3-S-AH2, which 14 where built. The smaller wooden hull was the 58-foot V2-M-AL1, which 35 were built. Most V2-M-AL1 tugboats were sent to England for the war efforts under the lend-lease act.. The type V tugs served across the globe during WW2 including: Pacific War, European theatre and in the USA. The SS Farallon and other type V tugs were used to help built Normandy ports, including Mulberry harbour, on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and made 9 round trips to Normandy to deliver Phoenix breakwaters.

Tugboats are used to maneuver vessels 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. 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 canons, allowing them to assist in firefighting, especially in harbors. Some minesweepers like the USS Vireo (AM-52), USS Lark (AM-21) and USS Kingfisher (AM-25) were converted to ocean tugs for the war.

Ships in class

File:Satanta YTM-27 Tugboat.jpg

Satanta YTM-270, a V2-ME-A1, is preparing to move the new USS Andrew Jackson (SSBN-619) to dry dock after her launching at Mare Island, 15 September 1962.

V2-ME-A1

Named for small US ports. Steel hull, 325 tons, 100 feet long, beam 25 feet, draft 11.5 feet. Engines 805 or 1,060 horsepower. Use as Army Transport Service or US Navy tugs, with designations of YT, YTB, or YTM. Built by" Birchfield Shipbuilding & Boiler Co, Ind de Tacoma in Washington 6 tugs; Canulette Shipbuilding Co. de in Slidell, La. 4 tugs; Calumet Shipyard & Drydock Co. de in Chicago, Ill. 5 tugs; Ira. S. Bushey & Sons de in Brooklyn. NY. 5 tugs; General Ship & Engine Works in East Boston, Mass. 2 tugs; and Brunswick Marine Construction Corp in Brunswick. Ga. 4 tugs.

• Port Angeles sold to US Navy 1942 renamed USS Hiawatha (YT-265), scrapped
• Port Blakely sold to US Navy 1942 renamed USS Pocahontas (YT-266) sold private 1972, scrapped
• Port Discovery Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Pogatacut (YT 267), sold private 1970, scrapped
• Port Ludlow Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Red Cloud (YT 268), sold private 1972, scrapped
• Port Madison Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Sakarissa (YT 269), to MARAD 1974, now at Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum
• Port Orchard To US Navy 1942 renamed Santanta (YT 270), sold private 1972, now Maris Pearl
• Port Allen To US Navy 1942 renamed YTB 723, to MARCOM 1945, sold 1975, scrapped
• Port Barre Sold private 1946 renamed Standard No 2, scrapped
• Port Hudson Sold private 1946 Wabaquasset (YTB-724), then Crescent Towing
• Port Vincent Sold private 1946 Standard No 3, scrapped
• Port Byron To US Army 1942 renamed LT 113, sold 1946 renamed Dalzellaird, scrapped 197x
• Port Allegheny To US Army 1942 renamed LT 114, sold 1946 renamed Dyer, later Porpoise, Sachem, now *Porpoise
• Port Elizabeth To US Navy 1943 renamed USS Namequa (YT-331), sold private 1950, scrapped
• Port Conway To US Navy 1943 renamed Nesutan (YT 338), sold private 1950, scrapped
• Port Fulton To US Army 1943 renamed LT 238, sold private 1946, scrapped
• Port Chester To US Army 1943 renamed LT 233, sold 1946, scrapped
• Port Crane To US Navy 1942 renamed Swatane (YT 344), sold 1964, scrapped
• Port Henry Sold 1945, renamed Captain Rodger, wrecked 1947
• Port Jervis Later Newport, Felicia, Terror, R. H. Tripp sank 2005 hurricane
• Port Kent To US Navy 1942 renamed Oratamin (YT 347), sold 1969, scrapped
• Port Clyde To US Army 1942 renamed LTC William R. Kendricks, sold renamed Resolute, scrapped
• Port Huron To US Army 1942 renamed LTC Herbert L. Kidwell, sold renamed: Port Huron, Dalzelloch, Dalzellido and Joan McAllister, scrapped.
• Port Wentworth To US Navy 1942 renamed Haiglar (YT 327), sold private 1947 Limon, Frank W.Barnes, Sandra, Sandra St.Philip, Tanda 12, Tug McGraw, scrapped
• Port Clinton Sold private 1945 Captain, Fred B.Dalzel, New Castle, Eliot Winslow, scrapped
• Port Deposit To US Navy 1942 renamed Mauvilla (YT 328), sold private 1963, scrapped
• Port Edwards Sold private 1945 Hercules, Bear, scrapped

V4-M-A1

File:Trinidad-Head-tug.jpg

Trinidad Head, a V4-M-A1 tug, in New York July 1943

The V4-M-A1 was the largest and most powerful tugs in the world when they were built. Each was named after lighthouses, built in 1943. Steel hull, Steel hull, 1,613 tons, 195 foot long, beam 37.5 foot, draft 15.5 foot. Max. speed 14 knots. There were two engine manufacturers: National Supply Company, with 8-cylinder sets of 3,200 bhp and the Enterprise Engine & Trading Company with 6 cylinders and 2,340 bhp power. The V4s operated by Moran Towing & Transportation in New York on behalf of the War Shipping Administration. Built by: Avondale Marine in Westego, LA, General Ships & Engine in East Boston, MA, Pennsylvania Shipbuilding in Beaumont, TX, Globe Shipbuilding in Superior, WI, Froemming Brothers in Milwaukee, WI, Pendleton Shipbuilding in New Orleans, LA.

• 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 To Mexico 1969 renamed Huitilopochtli (A 51)
• Point Arguello Scrapped 1973
• Matagorda Sank 1946
• Aransas Pass Scrapped 1973
• Sombrero Key To Argentina 1965 renamed Thompson, scrapped
• Dry Tortugas To Argentina 1965 renamed Goyena, scrapped
• Southwest Pass Scrapped 1973
• Montauk Point To Mexico 1969 renamed Quetzalcoatl (A 12)
• Moose Peak Helped with Normandy landings, To Mexico 1969, sank 1974
• 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 Use to built Normandy port on D-Day, June 6, 1944, made 9 round trips to Normandy, 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 To 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 To Mexico 1969, scrapped 1970
• Point Arena Scrapped 1976
• Bayou St. John Scrapped 1977
• Mobile Point Sank 1944
• Race Point Scrapped 1972

V3-S-AH2

Compeller Tugboat on first on test runs, a type V3-S-AH2, built in 1944 by the Puget Sound Shipbuilding Company at Olympia, Wa., US Navy YN-14

A Douglas fir wood hull ship, 1,220 tons. Engine was a reciprocal steam triple expansion. Max of 1,000 hp. Max of 10 knots with out tow. About 6 knots with a tow. Range of 1,500 miles. Manned by a crew of 27.Built by Corpus Christi SB, Puget Sound SB Company, Standard SB Company of San Pedro, California, and Astoria SB Santa Barbara. Dimensions: Length 157 feet long, beam 32 feet, depth 18 fee, draft 15 feet.

• Sustainer To USSR
• Compeller To Britain renamed Atherida, sold private 1948, scrapped
• Dexterous To Britain renamed Athelney, to Trinidad 1945, to Caymans 1948, scrapped 1951
• Mighty To Britain renamed Atil, sold private 1948, scrapped
• Secure To Britain renamed Attigny, sold private 1948, scrapped 1955
• Forthright To Britain renamed Attock, to USN renamed YTB 610, to USSR 1944 renamed Forthright
• Power To Britain renamed Atengo, to Italy 1947 renamed Titano, scrapped 1974
• Steadfast To Britain renamed Atako, wrecked and lost 1944
• Durable To Britain renamed Ataran, to Italy 1947 renamed Ciclope, scrapped
• Spirited To Britain renamed Atolia, to Trinidad 1948, to Caymans 1951, scrapped
• Helper To Britain renamed Atoyac, to Italy 1949 renamed Nereo
• resister To Britain renamed Atiamuri, sold to Italy 1947, sold to Israel 1954
• Superb To Britain renamed Atwood, sold to Trinidad 1948, sold to Caymans 1951, scrapped
• Robust To Britain renamed Atmore, sold private 1948, scrapped

V2-M-AL1

File:YTL-718 tugboat.jpg

YTL-718, a V2-M-AL1, on the quay wall at Navy Yard Mare Island, 8 November 1945

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 SB, Arlington SB, Texas SB, Siletz BW, Blair Company, Marinette Marine and Texas SB.

• Port Sewall To Britain as a "TUSA" = Tug, USA. (YN 1563)
• Port Kennedy To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1564
• Port Reading To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1565
• Port Costa To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1
• Port San Luis To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 2
• Port Chicago To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 3
• Port Gamble To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 4
• Port Tobacco To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 5
• Port Haywood To US Navy renamed YTL 718, sold private 1947 renamed Limpiar.(YTL= Yard tug, little)
• Port Inglis To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Mayaca To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Orange To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Richey To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port St. Joe To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Tampa City To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Arthur To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Bolivar To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Lavaca To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Neches To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port O'Connor To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Sullivan To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Stanley To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Townsend To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Ewen To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Gibson To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Jefferson To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Leyden To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Austin To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Homer To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Hope To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Sanilac To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port William To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Wing To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Sulphur To Britain as a "TUSA"
• Port Treverton To Britain as a "TUSA"

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.
• 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, about 11 nmi (13 mi; 20 km) north of Vierville-sur-Mer.
• Matagorda a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1946.
• Boon Island a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1976.
• Moose Peak a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1974. She was a Merchant Marine Ships at Normandy.
• Great Isaac a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1947.
• 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.
• YTL-566 sank on the way to Vietnam in the vicinity of Côn Sơn Island, during the Vietnam War.
• YTL-199 sank in 1946.
• Triton (YT-10) fleet tug, sank with all the crew on 30 December 1962 in storm off Huntington, Long Island, New York.
• USS Pokagon (YT-274) sank in 1947.
• USS Shahaka (YTB-368) sank after colliding with USS ABSD-2 midway between the California coast and the Hawaiian Islands at 27° 21'N 136° 29'W in June 1944.
• USS Secota (YTM-415), Sank in collision with submarine, USS Georgia (SSGN-729) on 22 March 1986 near Midway Atoll.
• YT-198 sank after hitting a mine off the Anzio beachhead on 18 February 1944.
• USS Iona (YTB-220) sank after a fire in June of 1963.

See also

• Sotoyomo-class fleet tug
• Victory ships
• Liberty ship
• Type C1 ship
• Type C2 ship
• Type C3 ship
• United States Merchant Marine Academy
• List of auxiliaries of the United States Navy

References

• tugboatinformation.com