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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Kalmia (ATA-184)
ex
 USS ATA-184 (1944 - 1948)
 ATR-111 (1944)

Flag Hoist/International Radio Call Sign:
November - Juliet - November - Charlie
 NUNC


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal -Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal - Philippine Liberation Medal

USS Kalmia (ATA-184) was transferred to Colombia, renamed ARC Bahia Utria
Maricopa Class Auxiliary Fleet Tug:
  • Laid down, 27 July 1944, as Rescue Ocean Tug (ATR-111), at Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, TX.
  • Reclassified Auxiliary Fleet Tug (ATA-184), 15 May 1944
  • Launched, 29 August 1944
  • Commissioned USS ATA-184, 6 November 1944, LTjg W. E. Hummel in command
  • Decommissioned, 24 June 1946, at Astoria, OR.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Columbia River Group, Astoria
  • Named Kalmia (ATA-184), 16 July 1948
  • Placed in service, 1 April 1952
  • Commissioned, USS Kalmia (ATA-184), 5 May 1952
  • Decommissioned and leased to Columbia, 1 July1971, renamed ARC Bahia Utria
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 31 October 1977
  • Final Disposition, sold outright under the Security Assistance Program, 31 October 1977 to Colombia, fate unknown
    Specifications:
    Displacement 534 t.
    Length 143'
    Beam 33'
    Draft 11 fwd 13' 6" aft
    Speed 12.8 kts.
    Complement 5 Officers, 45 Enlisted
    Armament two twin 20mm gun mounts
    Propulsion two 12-278A GM diesel engines, 1500hp, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Kalmia 77k Kalmia (ATA-184) underway, probably soon after recommissioning in 1952.
    US Navy photo # NH 102801 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Kalmia 104k Kalmia (ATA-184) underway, probably soon after recommissioning in 1952.
    US Navy photo # NH 102802 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Kalmia 118k Kalmia (ATA-184) underway, circa mid-1950s. location unknown.
    US Navy photo # NH 102804 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Kalmia 57k Kalmia (ATA-184) underway, 16 January 1964. Note the catapult on Kalmia's foredeck for launching target drone aircraft.
    US Navy photo # NH 102803, by PH2 J. Kruckenberg, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Kalmia 42k Kalmia (ATA-184) underway with a tow, date and location unknown.
    US Navy photo    		 National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Kalmia 185k Aerial views of Kalmia (ATA-184) underway off NAS North Island, San Diego Bay in late 1968 or early 69. Kalmia was towing two barracks ships from the Panama Canal to Long Beach and Port Hueneme. The barracks ships were being refurbished for use in Vietnam. At that time it was believed to be the longest tow to ever depart the Panama Canal.
    US Navy photos    		 Don Gillispie USS Kalmia
    Kalmia 124k
    Vincennes 93k Kalmia (ATA-184) with the assistance of harbor tugs Muskegon (YTB-763) and Arawak (YTM-702) tow the old cruiser Vincennes (CL-64) out of San Diego Bay, 7 October 1969. Ex-Vincennes was expended as a target off the coast of Southern California on 28 October 1969. Note that her gun barrels have been cut off.
    US Navy photo # K-77750 from the collections of the US Naval Historic Center.    		 US Naval Historical Center
    Kalmia 104k Kalmia (ATA-184) with ex-Vincennes (CL-64) in tow, circa 7 to 28 October 1969. Ex-Vincennes was sunk as a target off the coast of Southern California on 28 October 1969.
    US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine    		 Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
    Kalmia 86k Kalmia (ATA-184) "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet, front and back pages, 1973. Denns Colton USS Kalmia
    Kalmia 182k Kalmia (ATA-184) "Welcome Aboard" pamphlet, inside pages, 1973. Denns Colton USS Kalmia
    View the Kalmia (ATA-184)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
    Fleet Reserve Association
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Service Ship Photo Index Back To The Ocean Rescue Tug (ATR) Photo Index Back To The Auxiliary Fleet Tug (ATA) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 1 February 2008