USS Nokomis (YT-142)

USS "Nokomis" (YT-142/YTB-142/YTM-142) was a Woban-class district harbor tug built in Bremerton, Washington, and assigned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1940. "Nokomis" was present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, and continued serving the fleet throughout the war. Post-war she continued serving Pearl Harbor ships until she was decommissioned in May 1973, and eventually sold for scrap.

Built in Bremerton, Washington

"Nokomis" (YT–142), a diesel electric tug, was built at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington; launched 29 November 1939; completed in March, 1940; and allocated to the 14th Naval District for duty.

World War II service

Upon arrival Pearl Harbor, "Nokomis" assumed the duty of providing towing and berthing services, and was available for waterfront fire protection and inner harbor security.

Post-war service

Reclassified YTB–142, in 1944, she has remained active as a service craft based at Pearl Harbor into the 1970’s.

Final decommissioning

Nokomis was decommissioned and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in May 1973 and sold in April 1975 for scrap.

Current Status

According to the Historic Tugboat Education and Restoration Society, the Nokomis was purchased in April 1975 by Crowley Maritime Corporation, and her name was changed to Sea Serpent. She was operated in the San Francisco Bay as a commercial tugboat to assist docking vessels. The company terminated their operations in the San Francisco area in the mid 1990s and the Nokomis was abandoned in a derelict condition.

Rediscovered in mid 2002, the Nokomis is now in the care of the Historic Tugboat Education and Restoration Society. [ [http://www.hters.org/nokomis.php Historic Tugboat Education and Restoration Society - USS Nokomis page] ]

See also

* U.S. Navy
* World War II

Reference

*
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-n/yt142.htm Nokomis (YT-142, later YTB-142 & YTM-142), 1940-1975]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/14/08142.htm NavSource Online: YT-142 / YTB-142 / YTM-142 Nokomis]