USS ''Wahaka'' (YTB-526), later YTM-526, was a
yard tug
A tugboat or tug is a marine vessel that manoeuvres other vessels by pushing or pulling them, with direct contact or a tow line. These boats typically tug ships in circumstances where they cannot or should not move under their own power, suc ...
placed in commission in 1947.
''Wahaka'' was laid down on 2 June 1945 at
Jacksonville,
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
, by the
Gibbs Gas Engine Company, Inc. and launched on 9 September 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Charles Strohmeyer, wife of
Lieutenant
A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations.
The meaning of lieutenant differs in different militaries (see comparative military ranks), but it is often sub ...
Charles Strohmeyer, an
officer who was attached to the Industrial Manager's Office, Jacksonville, Florida. She was completed on 3 December 1945.
Allocated to the
11th Naval District
The naval district was a U.S. Navy military and administrative command ashore. Apart from Naval District Washington, the Districts were disestablished and renamed Navy Regions about 1999, and are now under Commander, Naval Installations Command ...
at
San Diego, California
San Diego ( , ; ) is a city on the Pacific Ocean coast of Southern California located immediately adjacent to the Mexico–United States border. With a 2020 population of 1,386,932, it is the eighth most populous city in the United States ...
, upon completion, ''Wahaka'' was briefly placed in reserve before being activated once more in December 1947 for service in the
6th Naval District. She operated out of
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, the county seat of Charleston County, and the principal city in the Charleston–North Charleston metropolitan area. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint o ...
, through the 1950s, providing tug and tow service as well as pilot assistance.
From 1961 to 1963, ''Wahaka'' was assigned to
Naval Station Rota
Naval Station Rota, also known as NAVSTA Rota ( es, Base Naval de Rota, links=no), is a Spanish-American naval base commanded by a Spanish Rear Admiral. Located in Rota in the Province of Cádiz, NAVSTA Rota is the largest American military c ...
at
Rota,
Spain
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond")
, national_anthem = (English: "Royal March")
, i ...
.
In 1962, ''Wahaka'' was reclassified as a medium harbor tug and redesignated YTM-526. She was then assigned to Advanced Bases, Atlantic Area. She remained active in that assignment into 1979. ''Wahaka'' was stricken from the
Naval Vessel Register on 30 September 1985 and was later sold.
References
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External links
Photo galleryat navsource.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wahaka (Ytb-526)
Sassaba-class tugs
Cold War auxiliary ships of the United States
1945 ships