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but on 10 July 1944 the last ten ships of the latter class were cancelled.[1] On 5 August 1944 the cancellation was rescinded for those on which construction had commenced (these five), and they were directed to be completed as tugs.[1] The originally assigned names were dropped, and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 218.[1]

ATA-217 at war's end
Class overview
Builders:
Operators:  United States Navy
Built: 1943–1944
In commission: 1944–1946
Completed: 5
General characteristics [1]
Type: Auxiliary Fleet Tug
Displacement: 1,550 long tons (1,575 t)
Length: 194.5 ft (59.3 m)
Beam: 34.6 ft (10.5 m)
Draft: 14.1 ft (4.3 m)
Propulsion: Diesel-electric engines, 1 shaft, 1,500 hp (1,119 kW)
Speed: 12.1 knots (13.9 mph; 22.4 km/h)
Complement: 57 men
Armament: various; 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[2][4] 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.[5]

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;[2] 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
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. "USS ATA-215". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  3. "USS ATA-214". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  4. "USS ATA-216". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
  5. "USS ATA-218". NavSource Online. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.