USS Paloverde (YN-86)

USS "Paloverde" (YN-86/AN-65/ATA-215) was an "ATA-214"-class auxiliary fleet tug which served the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Post-war she was assigned to the Finn Ronne Antarctic Expedition where she became stuck in the ice for 12 months before returning to the United States for decommissioning.

Built in Maine

"Paloverde", originally designated "YN–86", was laid down on 19 July 1943 as "AN–65" by Snow Shipyards, Inc., Rockland, Maine; renamed and redesignated "ATA–215" on 12 August 1944; launched 2 September 1944; sponsored by Miss Patricia Adams; and placed in service 17 December 1944.

World War II service

Pacific Ocean operations

"ATA–215" was assigned to Service Squadron 2, U.S. Pacific Fleet. She proceeded to Norfolk, Virginia, where she arrived 2 January 1945. Then, getting underway for the U.S. West Coast, she transited the Panama Canal 19–20 February and arrived San Pedro, California, 19 March. She proceeded to Pearl Harbor on a towing assignment, arriving 26 March.

She remained at Pearl Harbor until departing for Eniwetok 11 May, and arrived at Leyte 18 June. On 28 June she proceeded back across the Pacific via Eniwetok for Pearl Harbor. In Pearl Harbor after the war, she was designated for disposal in March 1946.

Duty in the Antarctic

Later in 1946, Congressional action provided "ATA–215" to the Finn Ronne Antarctic Expedition on a loan basis. On 25 January 1947 Edith Ronne rechristened "ATA-215" the "Port of Beaumont", and the ship shoved off with 21 explorers for the Antarctic. She returned to New York City 15 months later after spending 12 months frozen in the ice pack of Marguerite Bay on the Palmer Peninsula.

Final decommissioning

She was struck from the Navy List December 1948 and was sold by the Navy 8 February 1949.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/38/38215.htm NavSource Online: YN-86 / AN-65 Palo Verde - ATA-215]