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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS Wateree (ATF-117)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Delta - Victor - Delta
 NDVD
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Abnaki Class Fleet Ocean Tug:
  • Laid down, 22 September 1943, as Fleet Tug (AT-117) at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA.
  • Redesignated Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-117), 15 May 1944
  • Launched, 14 June 1944
  • Commissioned USS Wateree (ATF-117), 17 February 1945, at San Francisco, CA., LT. Gilbert E. Perry in command
  • Final Disposition, grounded and damaged beyond economical repair during Typhoon "Louise" at Okinawa, 9 October 1945, with the loss of eight crew members
  • Struck from the Naval Register, 1 November 1946
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,330 t.(lt) 1,689 t.(fl)
    Length 205'
    Beam 38' 6"
    Draft 17' (max)
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement 85
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two twin 40mm AA gun mounts
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    six .50 cal machine guns
    two depth charge tracks
    Propulsion Diesel-electric, four Alco Diesel main engines driving four General Electric generators and three General Motors 3-268A auxiliary services engines, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    Tawakoni 860k USS Tawakoni (ATF-114) (foreground) under construction at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA., 8 October 1943. USS Watersee (ATF-117) is on the left.
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Wateree 665k USS Wateree (ATF-117) ready for launching, 14 June 1944, at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA.
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Wateree 692k USS Wateree (ATF-117) moored at the fitting out pier, United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA., 6 July 1944
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Wateree 1544k USS Wateree (ATF-117) fitting out at United Engineering Co, Alameda CA, 9 December 1944. The stern of USS Tolowa (ATF-116) visible just forward. Watersee sank during Typhoon 'Louise' at Okinawa less than a year later with the loss of eight sailors, including her CO and XO.
    US National Archives photo # 19-N-79509, a US Navy BUSHIPS photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Wateree 1982k USS Wateree (ATF-117) moored at the fitting out pier, United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA., 11 January 1945, nearing completion about a month before commissioning.
    A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    USS Wateree (AF-117 / ATF-117)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation - Navy Log
    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 Fleet Tug (AT) Photo Index Back To The Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 10 February 2012