RV ''Pacific Escort I'' – previously the U.S. Army ''LT-535'' – was an Army
tugboat acquired by the
U.S. Navy in 1985 as an escort for
submarines
A submarine (or sub) is a watercraft capable of independent operation underwater. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability. The term is also sometimes used historically or colloquially to refer to remotely o ...
and as a for-hire
oceanographic research ship at the
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY) was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates th ...
.
Construction
''LT 535'' was a Large Tug (LT), Design 377-A,
505 gross ton, vessel built as hull #331 by Levingston Shipbuilding of
Orange, Texas for the
U.S. Army Transportation Corps
The Transportation Corps is a combat service support branch of the U.S. Army. It is responsible for the movement of personnel and material by truck, rail, air, and sea. It is one of three U.S. Army logistics branches, the others being the Qu ...
during 1943-1944. She was delivered to the Army April 26, 1944
and placed in service as the U.S. Army ''LT-535''.
Service career
''LT-535'' had been in service with the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1984 when she was acquired and placed in service with the U.S. Navy in 1985, performing her duties with the Navy until finally struck at an unknown date and disposed of.
U.S. Navy career
When acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1985, she was renamed ''Pacific Escort'' was placed into service as an escort for American submarines. She was based at the
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY) was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates th ...
, in
California, and was available for lease to commercial interests as a general research ship.
Inactivation
''Pacific Escort'' was struck from the
Navy List at an unknown date and sold commercial as ''Ataboy'' (IMO 8936906).
She is believed to be still in commercial service a
''Brittania U III''in Nigeria.
See also
ShipSpotting.com ''Pacific Escort''*
List of ships of the United States Army
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pacific Escort I
Ships built in Orange, Texas
1944 ships
Ships of the United States Army
Oceanographic research ships of the United States Navy
Tugs of the United States Navy