USS Tesota (YN-95)

USS "Tesota" (YN-95/AN-71/ATA-217) was constructed as a "Palo Blanco"-class auxiliary fleet tug for the U.S. Navy during World War II. Since the war was coming to an end, "Tesota" – renamed USS "ATA-217" – saw only a short period of service before being returned to the United States for inactivation.

Built in Slidell, Louisiana

"ATA-217" was laid down as the net tender "Tesota" (YN-95) on 11 December 1943 at Slidell, Louisiana, by the Canulette Shipbuilding Company; was reclassified a net laying ship and redesignated "AN-71" on 20 January 1944; and was launched on 29 July 1944.

However, the name "Tesota" was canceled on 10 August 1944, and the ship was reclassified an auxiliary ocean tug and re-designated "ATA-217" on the same day. She was commissioned on 16 January 1945, Lt. H. A. V. Post, USNR, in command.

World War II service

Following a short shakedown cruise early in February 1945, the tug departed Norfolk, Virginia, for Hawaii and arrived at her home port, Pearl Harbor, on 1 March. After serving there for more than a year, the ship proceeded to the U.S. West Coast.

Post-war inactivation

"Tesota" was decommissioned at Mare Island, California, on 7 May, and was struck from the Navy list on 21 May 1946. "ATA-217" was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission on 25 March 1947 and was sold the same day to Martinolick Shipbuilding Co., San Francisco, California.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/38/38217.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-95 / AN-71 Tesota - ATA-217]