USS Chemung (AT-18)

The first USS Chemung (AT-18/YT-124) was launched 1 April 1916 by Norfolk Navy Yard as Pocahontas and commissioned 14 March 1917. She reported to the 5th Naval District.

USS Chemung at Guantanamo Bay in February 1919
History
United States
Name	USS Chemung
Builder	Norfolk Navy Yard
Launched	1 April 1916, as Pocahontas
Commissioned	14 March 1917
Decommissioned	25 October 1936
Renamed	Chemung, 1 September 1917
Fate	Sold, 12 February 1937
General characteristics
Type	Minesweeper
Displacement	575 long tons (584 t)
Length	123 ft 6 in (37.64 m)
Beam	26 ft 8 in (8.13 m)
Draft	11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement	46
Armament	2 × 3-pounder guns

After minesweeping operations off the Virginia and Maryland coasts, Pocahontas was renamed Chemung on 1 September 1917 and on 19 November 1917 was permanently assigned to Train, Atlantic Fleet, 5th Naval District, for operations in the Norfolk area until 27 January 1919 when she departed for Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Arriving 3 February, Chemung served in the Caribbean until 9 April.

In March she towed the disabled HMS Shearwater into Kingston, Jamaica; for this humanitarian operation she was commended by the British Ministry at Jamaica.

Chemung arrived at New York 19 April 1919 for coastwise operations throughout the summer on range and torpedo practice, then gave local services at New York until 10 January 1920 when she sailed to serve at Charleston, South Carolina, Key West, Fla., and in the Caribbean.

In April 1920 she heroically rescued the crew of the burning Canadian schooner J. T. Ralston and carried them to San Domingo, for which she was commended by the British legation there.

Chemung served as yard tug at the United States Naval Academy from 14 May 1921 until 25 August 1926 when she sailed to Philadelphia.

Chemung was decommissioned 25 October 1926 and sold 12 February 1937. Her classification had been changed to YT-124, 31 January 1936.