USS Pontiac (YT-20)

USS Pontiac (YT-20) was a harbor tugboat purchased by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was assigned to the New York harbor area and performed her towing tasks there until war’s end. Post-war she was found to be excess to needs and sold.

History
United States
NameUSS Pontiac
NamesakeAfter Ottawa native American chief Pontiac
BuilderPeter McGishan, Athens, New York
Laid down1891
Christenedas Right Arm
Acquiredby the Navy, 23 April 1898
CommissionedUSS Pontiac, 1 July 1911
Decommissioned1921
RenamedPontiac, 23 April 1898
ReclassifiedDistrict Harbor Tug (YT-20), 17 July 1920
Strickenest. 1921
HomeportNew York harbor
FateSold, 25 February 1922
General characteristics
TypeDistrict harbor tug
Displacement401 tons
Length124' 4"
Beam27'
Draft9' 6"
Propulsionnot known
Speed10.5 knots
Complementnot known
Armament

Built in Athens, New York

The second ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy, Pontiac was laid down as Right Arm in 1891 by Peter McGishan, Athens, New York; purchased by the Navy from Merritt & Chapman 23 April 1898; renamed Pontiac 23 April.

Pontiac served in harbors along the north Atlantic Ocean coast of the United States. She operated in yards such as New York, New York; Boston, Massachusetts; New London, Connecticut; and, Charleston, South Carolina.

World War I service

Pontiac commissioned 1 July 1911. During World War I, she concentrated efforts at New York City, a major center for domestic and foreign commerce. She was renamed Passaic 11 April 1918.

Post-war decommissioning

Continuing harbor and district tug operations after the war, she decommissioned and was placed on the sale list in 1921. She was sold to John Kantzler & Sons, Bay City, Michigan, 25 February 1922.

References

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