Harbor Tugs (YT): Photo Gallery
Large Types, 1922-1945 (later YTB and YTM)
| Most of the photos here were selected from the comprehensive NavSource Photo Archive and are acknowledged with thanks. The class designations and other information are from the Navy's 1949 Ships Data Book, NAVSHIPS 250-641 Ship Contracts Awarded 1 January 1934 - 1 July 1955 and other official sources. |
| Cl. | Class Name | 1st order | L-oa | B-ext | D-nav | T-std | T-full | Tugs in class |
| - | Early | 1931-37 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | YT-119, 128-129, 131, 133-134 |
| a | YT-138 (Woban) | 7 Jul 38 | 100 | 26 | 10 | 237 | 345 | YT 138-142, 145-151, 177-182, 188-191, 195 |
| b | YT-174 (Allaquippa) | 29 May 41* | 102 | 25 | 10 | 206 | 318 | YT 174-176, BYT 1-5, PYT 1-2, YT 368-383 (*Acquired) |
| c | YT-192 (Pessacus) | 21 Jul 41 | 101 | 26 | 10 | 244 | 337 | YT 192-194, 272-275, 384-387, 493-497 |
| d | YT-215 (Cahto) | 1 Feb 43 | 110 | 29 | 13 | 415 | 508 | YT 215-224, 285-286 (wood hulls) |
| e | YT-225 (Maquinna) | 1 Feb 43 | 110 | 29 | 13 | 415 | -- | YT 225-229, 253-264 (wood hulls) |
| f | YT-265 (MC V2-ME-A1) | 30 Nov 42* | 100 | 26 | 10 | 237 | 345 | YT 265-270, 327-328, 331, 338, 344, 347, 723-724 (*Acquired) |
| g | YT-277 (Onockatin) | 26 Jan 43 | 110 | 29 | 13 | 415 | 508 | YT 277-284, 287-290 (wood hulls) |
| h | YT-364 (Sassaba) | 10 Oct 43 | 100 | 26 | 10 | 237 | 345 | YT 364-367, 388-421 |
| i | YT-498 (Cholocco) | 10 Aug 44 | 100 | 26 | 10 | 237 | 345 | YT 498-517 (503-505 cancelled) |
| j | YT-518 (Hisada) | 10 Aug 44 | 100 | 26 | 10 | 237 | 345 | YT 518-549, 701-710 (528-531 and 705-710 cancelled) |
| Note: On 15 May 1944 all of the above still in service were reclassified from YT (Harbor Tug) to YTB (Harbor Tug Big) except for the early YT 119, 128, 129, 133, and 134 which were reclassified YTM (Harbor Tug Medium). YTM 129 was promoted to YTB 129 on 6 April 1945. Most surviving World War II YTB's were downgraded to YTM in February 1962. The YT-498 class were downgraded later, on 25 March 1966, and also got new hull numbers between YTM-762 and 779. |
Click on the photos to prompt larger views of the same images.
Class: Early
Geronimo (YT-119)
(Photo: NavSource 140811901)
(Photo: NavSource 140811901)
Class: Early
Powhatan (YTM-128) at the Boston Navy Yard circa 1945 with Waubansee (YTB 366) assisting Gen. J.R. Brooke (AP-132) in the background.
(Photo: NavSource 140812801)
(Photo: NavSource 140812801)
Class: Early
Osceola (YT-129) helping move USS California (BB-44) to drydock at Pearl Harbor on 9 April 1942
(Photo: NavSource 140812904 from movie film)
(Photo: NavSource 140812904 from movie film)
Class: Early
Wahneta (YT-134) or a sister.
(Photo: NHHC Photo Archive, Cleveland Diesel brochure)
(Photo: NHHC Photo Archive, Cleveland Diesel brochure)
Class: YT-138
Ala (YTB-139) at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in March 1946 with Colorado (BB-45) in the background.
(Photo: NavSource 140813906)
(Photo: NavSource 140813906)
Class: YT-138
Montezuma (YT-145) probably on trials off New York City.
(Photo: NavSource 140814505, NARA 19-N-23822)
(Photo: NavSource 140814505, NARA 19-N-23822)
Class: YT-138
Tazha (YT-147) off New York City on 13 June 1941 one day before entering service.
(Photo: NavSource 140814703, NARA 19-N-24247)
(Photo: NavSource 140814703, NARA 19-N-24247)
Class: YT-138
Woyot (YT-150) on trials on 15 May 1941.
(Photo: NavSource 140815002)
(Photo: NavSource 140815002)
Class: YT-138
Mazapeta (YT-181) during acceptance trails off Jacksonville, Fla., circa August 1943.
(Photo: NavSource 140818101)
(Photo: NavSource 140818101)
Class: YT-174
Chekilli (YT-175) on trials off Port Arthur, Tex., circa June-July 1941.
(Photo: NavSource 140817501 from Gulfport Boiler files)
(Photo: NavSource 140817501 from Gulfport Boiler files)
Class: YT-174
Junaluska (YT-176) being launched at Port Arthur, Tex., in 1941.
(Photo: NavSource 140817602 from Gulfport Boiler files)
(Photo: NavSource 140817602 from Gulfport Boiler files)
Class: YT-174
British Helpful (BYT-3). While in Morocco she reverted to the USN, was reclassified YT-459 on 16 May 1943, and was named Edenshaw.
(Photo: NARA RG-19-LCM Box 643)
(Photo: NARA RG-19-LCM Box 643)
Class: YT-174
Peruvian Curaray (PYT-2) during builder's trials near Port Arthur, Tex., in October 1943.
(Photo: NavSource 1408p0201 from Gulfport Boiler files)
(Photo: NavSource 1408p0201 from Gulfport Boiler files)
Class: YT-174
Skandawati (YT-370) on builder's trials off Port Arthur, Tex., circa 15-19 April 1944.
(Photo: NavSource 140837008 from Gulfport Boiler files)
(Photo: NavSource 140837008 from Gulfport Boiler files)
Class: YT-192
Epanow (YT-275)
(Photo: NavSource 140827502 from the US Navy Memorial)
(Photo: NavSource 140827502 from the US Navy Memorial)
Class: YT-192
Chahao (YTB-496) at Subic Bay, Philippines, circa 1952-1954.
(Photo: NavSource 140949601 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
(Photo: NavSource 140949601 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
Class: YT-215 (wood)
Cochise (YTB-216)
(Photo: NavSource 140921601 from the US Navy Memorial)
(Photo: NavSource 140921601 from the US Navy Memorial)
Class: YT-215 (wood)
Achigan (YTB-218)
(Photo: NavSource 140921801 from the US Navy Memorial)
(Photo: NavSource 140921801 from the US Navy Memorial)
Class: YT-215 (wood)
Kasota (YTB-222) at Norfolk, Va.
(Photo: NavSource 140822201 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
(Photo: NavSource 140822201 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
Class: YT-225 (wood)
Menatonon (YTB-254) in San Francisco Bay on 14 September 1944.
(Photo: NavSource 140925402, NARA 19-N-79531)
(Photo: NavSource 140925402, NARA 19-N-79531)
Class: YT-225 (wood)
Menoquet (YT-256) in the South Pacific circa 1944.
(Photo: NavSource 140825601 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
(Photo: NavSource 140825601 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
Class: YT-225 (wood)
Arivaca (YTM-259) in the reserve fleet at NSY Mare Island on 9 September 1963 with ARD-10 and in the distance YRB-15.
(Photo: NavSource 140825901)
(Photo: NavSource 140825901)
Class: YT-225 (wood)
Oneyana (YTB-262) probably at Pearl Harbor circa 1960-61.
(Photo: NavSource 140926201 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
(Photo: NavSource 140926201 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
Class: YT-265
Pogatacut (YTM-267) probably at Subic Bay in the 1960s.
(Photo: NHHC S-093-G, now Naval Subjects Collection catalog L45-231.02.01)
(Photo: NHHC S-093-G, now Naval Subjects Collection catalog L45-231.02.01)
Class: YT-265
Satanta (YTM-270) assisting the newly-launched USS Andrew Jackson at Mare Island on 15 September 1962.
(Photo: NavSource 140827005)
(Photo: NavSource 140827005)
Class: YT-277 (wood)
Ossahinta (YT-278) on trials in July 1944 with her builder's flag flying.
(Photo: NavSource 140827802, NARA 19-N-70940)
(Photo: NavSource 140827802, NARA 19-N-70940)
Class: YT-277 (wood)
Pitchlynn (YT-283)
(Photo: NavSource 140928302, NARA USN/80-G-285408)
(Photo: NavSource 140928302, NARA USN/80-G-285408)
Class: YT-364
Sassaba (YTB-364) circa 1951.
(Photo: Shipscribe)
(Photo: Shipscribe)
Class: YT-364
Waubansee (YT-366)
(Photo: Shipscribe)
(Photo: Shipscribe)
Class: YT-364
Natahki (YTB-398) in a view produced for a crewman.
(Photo: NavSource 140839801 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
(Photo: NavSource 140839801 from www.nafts.net, defunct)
Class: YT-364
Cusseta (YTB-405).
(Photo: NavSource 140840501)
(Photo: NavSource 140840501)
Class: YT-364
Kittaton (YTB-406) off Naval Aviation Base, Saipan. Photo released 8 February 1950.
(Photo: NavSource 140940601, NARA 80-G-452865)
(Photo: NavSource 140940601, NARA 80-G-452865)
Class: YT-498
Makah (YTB-509)
(Photo: NavSource 140950901 from the US Navy Memorial)
(Photo: NavSource 140950901 from the US Navy Memorial)
Class: YT-498
Lelaka (YTB-514) assisting ex-USS Suncock (AN-80) from her berth at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in August 1964 for service with the Bureau of Mines.
(Photo: NavSource 140951402)
(Photo: NavSource 140951402)
Class: YT-498
Lelaka (YTM-777 ex YTB-514) with YTL-435 moving the refloated USS Guitarro (SSN-665) to dry dock at Mare Island on 19 May 1969. She had been reclassified and renumbered in March 1967.
(Photo: NavSource 140951404)
(Photo: NavSource 140951404)
Class: YT-518
Nahasho (YTB-535) preparing to assist USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) at Norfolk.
(Photo: NavSource 140953503, NARA K-61202)
(Photo: NavSource 140953503, NARA K-61202)
Class: YT-518
Nahoke (YTM-536) on the eastern branch of the Elizabeth River at Norfolk in October 1968.
(Photo: NavSource 140953604, DAVA 330-CFD-DN-ST-88-04316, NARA NAID 6433330)
(Photo: NavSource 140953604, DAVA 330-CFD-DN-ST-88-04316, NARA NAID 6433330)
Class: YT-518
Quileute (YTB-540) with the civilian tug Chancellor at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1946.
(Photo: NavSource 140954002, LC-USZ62-134627)
(Photo: NavSource 140954002, LC-USZ62-134627)
Class: YT-518
Arawak (YTB-702) assisting a probable Essex class carrier at San Diego. The private cars on the flight deck date the image to around 1950.
(Photo: NavSource 140970201)
(Photo: NavSource 140970201)
Acquisitions (YT, later YTB, YTM)
| Notes: The following large and intermediate sized harbor tugs were acquired: YT 120, 127, 137, 170-3, 183, 187, 213-14, 238, 239 (substituted for YMT-16), 240-43, 252, 271, 276, 321-26, 329-30, 333-7, 341-43, 348-50, 354, 359, 458-72, 474-78, 492, 606-7, 610, 721-22, 728-734, and 736-744. These included 15 of the 100 tugs built for the inland waterway project of the Defense Plant Corporation (DPC): YT 467-72, 474-78, 606-7, and 721-2. Only a few of these acquired tugs can be illustrated here. |
Patriot (YT-127) as YP-69 at Naval Air Station Pensacola circa 1941. The 99-foot vessel was acquired on 24 August 1936 and became YP-69 on 1 March 1938.
(Photo: NavSource 140812702)
(Photo: NavSource 140812702)
Canonicus (YT-187) assisting USS Noa (APD-24) during inclining experiments at Norfolk on 11 September 1943. She was begun in 1940 as the merchant Thomas E. Moran and purchased.
(Photo: NavSource 140818702 from Rick Davis)
(Photo: NavSource 140818702 from Rick Davis)
YTM-239 (unnamed) alongside a LST in the Los Angeles harbor area in 1945. Built 1926 as merchant Milton S. Patrick, she was to be Motor Tug YMT-16 but was too large and was reclassified YT-239 on 2 January 1942. She later became the movie tug Cheryl Ann.
(Photo: NavSource 140823901)
(Photo: NavSource 140823901)
Uncas (YT-242) underway in Brazilian waters circa 1942-43. She was begun in 1942 as merchant Susan A. Moran and purchased.
(Photo: NavSource 140835501)
(Photo: NavSource 140835501)
YT-243 (unnamed), probably at Naval Station New Orleans circa 1943. She was completed in February 1943 as merchant Southwind and immediately purchased.
(Photo: NavSource 140824301)
(Photo: NavSource 140824301)
Dekanawida (YT-334) as the merchant Agnes Foss. She was built in 1904 as the Army mine planter Colonel George Armistead.
(Photo # NH 86213)
(Photo # NH 86213)
YTM-466 (unnamed) underway in Chesapeake Bay off the Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, VA, on 17 May 1945. She was built in 1940 as the merchant Chipola and purchased.
(Photo: NavSource 140835501)
(Photo: NavSource 140835501)
YT-471 (unnamed) assisting USS Indiana at Pearl Harbor on 13 February 1944. She was built as DPC-1.
(Photo: NavSource 141147101)
(Photo: NavSource 141147101)
YTM-721 (unnamed) assisting USS Monongahela (AO-42). She was built as DPC-22.
(Photo: NavSource 091904201)
(Photo: NavSource 091904201)