USS Iuka (ATA-123)

USS Iuka (ATA-123) was laid down by Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, Tex., 21 November 1942; launched 20 December; and commissioned 30 June 1943, LTJG J. L. Hostinsky in command.

History
United States
Name: USS Iuka (ATA-123)
Builder: Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, TX
Laid down: 21 November 1942
Launched: 20 December 1942
Commissioned: 30 June 1943
Decommissioned: 26 November 1947
Reclassified: Auxiliary Fleet Tug ATA-123, 15 May 1944
Identification: IMO number: 7942233
Fate: Sold to a commercial interest
General characteristics
Class and type: Sotoyomo-class auxiliary fleet tug
Displacement: 534 t.(lt) 835 t.(fl)
Length: 143 ft (44 m)
Beam: 33 ft (10 m)
Draft: 13 ft (4.0 m)
Propulsion: diesel-electric engines, single screw
Speed: 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Complement: 45
Armament: one single 3 in (76 mm) dual purpose gun mount

After a brief period of duties out of Norfolk, ATR-45 sailed for the Pacific, reaching Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, via the Panama Canal and Bora Bora, Society Islands, late in October. For the duration of war the fleet tug remained in the South Pacific islands, operating primarily at Espiritu Santo, to tow targets and barges as well as handle other harbor duties. ATR-45 was reclassified ATA-123 15 May 1944.

The ocean tug returned Pearl Harbor 7 September 1945 and from there set course for San Francisco. She performed harbor duties along the California coast until she decommissioned at San Pedro and went into reserve 26 November 1947. While berthed with the Columbia River Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, ATA-123 was named Iuka 16 July 1948. She remained in the Pacific Reserve until September 1960 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration. In September 1962 Iuka entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Olympia, Washington, until she was sold in 1976.

References
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