- USS Chemung (AT-18)
The first USS "Chemung" (AT-18/YT-124) was launched
1 April 1916 byNorfolk Navy Yard as "Pocahontas" and commissioned14 March 1917 , ChiefBoatswain B. David in command. She reported to the5th Naval District .After minesweeping operations off the Virginia and Maryland coasts, "Pocahontas" was renamed "Chemung"
1 September 1917 and on19 November 1917 was permanently assigned to Train, Atlantic Fleet, 5th Naval District, for operations in the Norfolk area until27 January 1919 when she departed for Guantanamo Bay,Cuba . Arriving3 February , Chemung served in theCaribbean until9 April .In March she towed disabled
HMS Shearwater intoKingston, Jamaica ; for this humanitarian operation she was commended by the British Ministry atJamaica ."Chemung" arrived at
New York 19 April 1919 for coastwise operations throughout the summer on range and torpedo practice, then gave local services at New York until10 January 1920 when she sailed to serve atCharleston, South Carolina ,Key West , Fla., and in the Caribbean.In April 1920 she heroically rescued the crew of the burning Canadian schooner "J. T. Ralston" and carried them to San Domingo, for which she was commended by the British legation there.
Chemung served as yard tug at the
United States Naval Academy from14 May 1921 until25 August 1926 when she sailed toPhiladelphia ."Chemung" was decommissioned
25 October 1926 and sold12 February 1937 . Her classification had been changed to YT-124,31 January 1936 .ee also
USS "Pocahontas" and USS "Chemung" for other ships of the same name.
References
*DANFS
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c7/chemung-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Chemung"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/47018.htm navsource.org: USS "Chemung"]
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