If storage holds and upper decks were fully loaded Net Tenders would often tow barges containing additional Net Gear.
The 110 foot long Net Gate Vessels (YNG's) were lighters, which meant they had no screws, no rudder and no keel. Net Tenders would often tow them to their destinations.
In January 1954 USS EBONY-AN-15 sailed to Noumea to assist in towing a stranded vessel to safety.
While at Kwajalein in June 1944, the fleet came under heavy air attack. When LCI-468 was damaged in the battle USS HOLLY AN-19 moved swiftly to take her in tow.
In April 1943 USS LOCUST AN-22 was off San Cristobel Island, Solomons with Task Unit 32.4.7 when she came under attack. For about 5 minutes Locust with YAG-26 in tow, was not only dodging fire from a Japanese bomber but also a torpedo from an undetected enemy submarine.
After completing shakedown training in June 1944 USS SPICEWOOD AN-53 towed Yard Oiler YO-92 from San Pedro to Hawaii.
In May 1945 USS MANCHINEEL AN-54 steamed from Kwajalein to the Gilbert Islands, arriving Tarawa 23 May to pick up six pontoon barges for tow to Majuro. The trip took 6 long days of retrieving and dragging the water-filled pontoons. I
On 27 September 1944, USS ABEL AN-58 reached Pearl Harbor and reported to Commander Minecraft, Pacific Fleet, who assigned her to target towing and net defense duty. USS SANDALWOOD AN-32 was scheduled for the Iwo Jima invasion but because of an engine breakdown she was unable to fulfill this assignment. Arriving Pearl Harbor 25 November 1944, she remained there until late February 1945. Before leaving she had temporary duty towing targets. Albert Seguin, ex crewman and a 20 year navy veteran shares following story while on this assignment: "While towing targets one pilot must have released his bomb a little late as it exploded about 750 to 1500 feet, off the starboard centerline of our ship, causing a huge wave and putting us in a trough momentarily. The shock of the blast caught me leaving the mess hall and as I opened the hatch to go on deck I got pushed backward into the mess deck area.I wasn't a casualty, but I didn't expect this to happen. Leaving Pearl Harbor for Eniwetok, we towed four large barges. At a speed of 4 knots it took us 36 days to get there."
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This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
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