ATA-214-class tug

The ATA-214 class was a group of five auxiliary tugs built for the United States Navy in World War II and decommissioned shortly thereafter. They were laid down initially as Ailanthus-class net laying ships, but on 10 July 1944 the last ten ships of the latter class were cancelled.[1] On 5 August 1944 the cancellation was rescinded for those on which construction had commenced (these five), and they were directed to be completed as tugs.[1] The originally assigned names were dropped, and they were identified only by hull numbers ATA-214 through ATA-218.[1] However, for reasons unexplained, ATA-218 was commissioned as USS Yaupon.[2]

ATA-217 at war's end
Class overview
NameATA-214 class
Builders
Operators United States Navy
Built1943–1944
In commission1944–1946
Completed5
General characteristics [1]
TypeAuxiliary Fleet Tug
Displacement1,550 long tons (1,575 t)
Length194.5 ft (59.3 m)
Beam34.6 ft (10.5 m)
Draft14.1 ft (4.3 m)
PropulsionDiesel-electric engines, 1 shaft, 1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
Speed12.1 knots (22.4 km/h; 13.9 mph)
Complement57
Armamentvarious; see text

Some changes were made as construction progressed. After the first two were completed (ATA-214 and ATA-216) the mainmast was moved forward to rest directly behind the funnel, and the boom on this mast was eliminated as unnecessary.[3] Armament varied as well, based upon experiences with the Ailanthus class vessels already built. The first two completed had a single 3" gun mounted on a platform ahead of the bridge, and three 20mm antiaircraft guns mounted in two tiers in front of the funnel.[4] It was found that the upper of these three was too close to the funnel, and for the next two (ATA-215 and ATA-217) this mount was relocated immediately behind the mainmast.[3][5] For the last ship (ATA-218) the 3" gun was eliminated (though its platform remained) and two 40mm AA guns were mounted on the forecastle.[6]

All five served in the Pacific theater, and ATA-215, ATA-216, and ATA-218 also participated in the occupation of Japan in various periods from September to November 1945. ATA-215 was loaned to the Ronne Antarctic Research Expedition and sold upon its return;[3] the others were sold through the Maritime Commission.[1]

Ships
Hull number Commissioned Decommissioned Fate
ATA-214 25 September 1944 September 1945 Sold to a commercial interest, 30 April 1947; sunk, 9 September 1953
ATA-215 17 December 1944 20 June 1946 Sold to a commercial interest, 8 February 1949; sunk, 15 April 1963
ATA-216 30 October 1944 26 March 1946 Sold to a commercial interest, 1948; sold for scrap, 1969
ATA-217 16 January 1945 7 May 1946 Sold to a commercial interest, 25 March 1947; sunk, 17 February 1949
USS Yaupon (ATA-218) 10 March 1945 26 March 1946 Sold for scrap, 3 January 1947

References
  1. Roberts, Stephen S. "Class: ATA-214". Shipscribe. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  2. Cressman, Robert J (15 May 2018). "Yaupon (ATA-218)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  3. "USS ATA-215". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  4. "USS ATA-214". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  5. "USS ATA-216". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  6. "USS Yaupon (ATA-218)". NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive. Navsource Naval History. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
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