USS Mariner (SP-1136)

USS "Mariner" (SP-1136) was a wooden-hulled tugboat for the United States Navy in World War I. She had previously been the "Jack T. Scully" of the Neptune Line of New York before her acquisition by the Navy. She foundered and sank in a gale on 26 February 1918 while part of a convoy steaming to Bermuda.

History

"Mariner", formerly the steam tug "Jack T. Scully" of the Neptune Line, New York City, was built in 1899 by A. C. Brown, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York and had previously steamed between New York and Bangor, Maine. before the tug herself began to founder in the heavy southwesterly gale that sprang up on 26 February. Her seams opened to the sea by the pounding of the waves, her pumps failed; rising water doused the fires under her boilers and rendered her helpless.

Consequently, "Mariner" hoisted the breakdown flag shortly before noon and cast loose "SC-177". Shortly thereafter, the crew of "Mariner" signaled that they were sinking fast. "Wadena" stood by to render assistance, in rough and high seas. After embarking two groups of "Mariner"’s crew from life rafts, "Wadena" sprayed oil on the water to calm the seas, and then brought on board the rest of the tug's complement from three more rafts. The last group—which included Lt. (jg.) Miller, "Mariner"’s commanding officer—had abandoned the tug with its decks awash, and reached "Wadena"’s side at around 17:30. Abandoned, "Mariner" sank sometime after 21:45 that day at approximately coord|38|26|N|68|9|W|display=inline.

While the rest of the convoy continued on its passage, "Wadena" retrieved "SC-177" and ultimately reached the British naval station at Hamilton, Bermuda, on 1 March 1918.

"Mariner" was stricken from the Navy Register on 8 March 1918.

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