Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

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 1,205 t.(lt) 1,675 t.(fl)
Length 205'
Beam 38' 6"
Draft 15' 5" (lim)
Speed 16.5 kts.

Complement

5 Officers

80 Enlisted

Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.

Armament

one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount

two twin 40mm AA gun mounts

two single 20mm AA gun mounts

Propulsion
four Busch-Sulzer (mod 12-278) Diesel-electric engines
Ship's Service Generators
two Diesel-drive 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.
one Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V/240 D.C.
single propeller 3,000shp

Size	Image Description	Contributed By
860k	Tawakoni (ATF-114) (foreground) under construction at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA., 8 October 1943. *USS Wateree* (ATF-117)** is on the left. A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Alan Owens
665k	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
692k	Wateree (ATF-117) moored pierside at United Engineering Co., Alameda, CA. Construction progress photo, 6 July 1944. A US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Alan Owens
188k	Wateree (ATF-117) moored pierside across from and astern of *USS Pathfinder* (AGS-1)** fitting out at the United Engineering Co. Shipyard, Alameda, CA., 9 December 1944. Circles mark recent alterations. United States National Archives, Photo No. 19-N-79509, a US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US Naval History and Heritage Command.	Mike Green
1544k	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
1982k	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)
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS)

Commanding Officers
01	LT. Perry, Gilbert Emerson, USN	17 February /1945 - 9 October 1945
02	LTjg. Sweeney, LeRoy, USN (senior surviving officer)	9 October 1945 - 9 October 1945


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler

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

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 21 April 2021