USS Navajo (AT-52)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Navajo.

USS Navajo (AT-52) was a tug built in 1907 by Neafie & Levy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, purchased by the United States Navy on 21 November 1907 and commissioned on 17 March 1908 as Fleet Tug No.52.

USS Navajo assists with the salvage of USS F-4 (SS-23), April–August 1915.
History
United States
Name	USS Navajo
Builder	Neafie & Levy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Launched	1907
Acquired	by purchase, 21 November 1907
Commissioned	17 March 1908, as Fleet Tug No. 52
Decommissioned	24 April 1937
Reclassified	AT-52, 17 July 1920
Stricken	24 April 1937 Restored, 14 January 1942
In service	15 March 1942
Out of service	9 February 1946
Reclassified	IX–56, 14 January 1942
Stricken	9 February 1946
Fate	Sold for scrapping, 23 November 1948
General characteristics
Type	Tugboat
Displacement	800 long tons (813 t)
Length	141 ft 4 in (43.08 m)
Beam	27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Draft	14 ft 1 in (4.29 m)
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)

Pacific Ocean operations

Assigned to Pearl Harbor, Navajo operated in the Hawaiian Islands throughout her Naval career, performing towing and docking operations. On 17 July 1920 she was reclassified as AT-52.

In 1922, Water Barge #10, while in tow by Navajo, collided with the submarine R-16 (SS-93). With a hole in her bow, the barge sank within minutes. The gallant action of men from Navajo resulted in rescue of the barge's three-man crew. After decommissioning, Navajo was struck from the Navy List on 24 April 1937.

Restored to duty

Navajo was restored to the list as IX–56 on 14 January 1942, and she served in a decommissioned status at the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor. She was placed in service on 15 March 1942 and continued operations in the 14th Naval District throughout World War II.

After war-time service she was struck from the Navy List on 9 February 1946. She was subsequently sold for scrap to Commercial Equipment Co. on 23 November 1948.

Awards

• World War I Victory Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of USS Navajo at NavSource Naval History
• ZC (Ship) Files in the Navy Department Library
• Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Naval Districts, 1923