USS Pocahontas (YT-266)

USS Pocahontas (YT/YTB/YTM-266), was a type V2-ME-A1 harbor tug that entered service in the United States Navy in 1943, and was sold in 1976. She was the third ship to bear the name Pocahontas.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Pocahontas.
Red Cloud (YTB-268), a type V2-ME-A1, same as Pocahontas, alongside David C. Shanks, at the Golden Gate, at San Francisco, California, 1950s
History
United States
NamePort Blakely
NamesakePort Blakely
OwnerMaritime Commission
Orderedas type (V2-ME-A1) hull, MCE hull 433[1]
Awarded23 August 1941
BuilderBirchfield Boiler, Inc., Tacoma, Washington
Cost$301,042[1]
Yard number1
Laid down27 October 1941
Launched1 May 1942
StatusTransferred to the US Navy, 31 December 1942
United States
NamePocahontas
NamesakePocahontas
OwnerUS Navy
Acquired31 December 1942
Reclassified
  • From harbor tug (YT-266) to large harbor tug (YTB-266) 15 May 1944
  • To medium harbor tug (YTM-266) February 1962
Identification
FateScrapped, 25 February 2019
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeHiawatha-class tugboat
TypeHarbor tug
Displacement237 long tons (241 t)
Length100 ft (30 m)
Beam25 ft (7.6 m)
Draft9 ft 7 in (2.92 m)
Installed power
PropulsionSingle propeller
Speed16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Crew14
Armament2 × 0.50 in (12.70 mm) heavy machine guns

History

Pocahontas was laid down, under Maritime Commission contract, as Port Blakeley (MC hull 433) by Birchfield Boiler Incorporated, Tacoma, Washington on 27 October 1941. She was launched 2 May 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Alvin Davies.[3]

Renamed Pocahontas (YT–266) on 4 July 1942, she was delivered to the Maritime Commission and transferred to the Navy on 31 December 1942; and placed in service, in the 11th Naval District, 16 March 1943.[2]

Redesignated YTB–266, 15 May 1944, served the 11th Naval District, headquartered at San Diego, until after World War II. Between 1946 and 1955, she operated in the 12th Naval District, headquartered at San Francisco, then returned to the 11th Naval District. Redesignated YTM–266 in February 1962, she continued to provide tug and towing services to that district.

Red Cloud, a type V2-ME-A1 tugboat, same as Pocahontas, alongside USNS David C. Shanks at the Golden Gate, San Francisco, California, in the 1950s

Pocahontas was sold to Crowley Maritime in 1972 and provided tug services until purchased by her present owners in 1997. She was sold for scrap at Sausalito, 25 February 2019.

Awards

USS Pocahontas earned the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the National Defense Service Medal for her service in the U.S. Navy.

See also

References
  1. MARCOM.
  2. NavSource 2018.
  3. DANFS 2015.

Bibliography
  • "Port Blakely". Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  • "Pocahontas (YTM-266)". Navsource.org. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2023.
  • "Pocahontas IV (YT-266)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.


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