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 Cahuilla (ATF-152)


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Papa - Bravo - Bravo
 NPBB
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons


Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - Navy Occupation Service Medal (with Asia clasp)

USS Cahuilla was transferred to Argentina and renamed ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1)
Abnaki Class Fleet Ocean Tug
  • Laid down, 16 June 1944, as Cahuilla (AT-152) at Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S.C.
  • Redesignated Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-152), 15 May 1944
  • Launched, 2 November 1944
  • Commissioned USS Cahuilla (ATF-152), 10 March 1945, LT. A. C. Schoelpple in command
  • During and following World War II USS Cahuilla was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater
  • Following World War II USS Cahuilla was assigned to Occupation service in the Far East for the following periods:

    Navy Occupation Service Medal
    20 September to 19 October 1945
    31 October 1945 to 14 February 1946

  • Decommissioned, 27 June 1947, at San Diego, CA.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Final Disposition, transferred, under the Security Assistance Program, to Argentina, 9 July 1961, renamed ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1)
  • Current Disposition, active in Argentine Navy as of 2004
    Specifications:
    Displacement 1,240 t.(lt) 1,675 t.(fl)
    Length 205'
    Beam 38'6"
    Draft 15' 4"
    Speed 16.5 kts.
    Complement
    Officers 5
    Enlisted 80
    Largest Boom Capacity 10 t.
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 cal dual purpose gun mount
    two single 40mm AA gun mounts
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    two depth charge tracks
    Fuel Capacity
    Diesel Oil 2,275 Bbls
    Propulsion
    four GM 12-278A 750hp Diesel-electric engines
    single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gears
    Ship's Service Generators
    two Diesel-drive 100Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    one Diesel-drive 200Kw 120V/240V D.C.
    single propeller 3,000shp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    USS Cahuilla (ATF-152)
    Chilula 1611k Overall view of Charleston Shipbuilding & Drydock Co, Charleston S.C., in January 1945. Six ATF's are visible; three fitting out and three on the ways. Photo was taken from the mainmast of USS Chawasha (ATF-151) which was also fitting out. From front to back they are:
    USS Chilula (ATF-153)
    USS Cahuilla (ATF-152)
    USS Chimariko (ATF-154)
    USS Nipmuc (ATF-157)
    USS Cusabo (ATF-155)
    USS Luiseno (ATF-156).
    US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.    		 Alan Owens
    Mona Island 108k USS Cahuilla (ATF-152) with USS Mona Island (ARG-9) in tow, circa 19 October 1945. Mona Island had been grounded on a reef during Typhoon "Louise" on 9 October 1945. Photo by David Sweeten USS Mona Island contributed by Henry Carr, donation of David Sweeten Family.
    Cahuilla 562k USS Cahuilla (ATF-152) passing under the Golden Gate Bridge returning from Pearl Harbor, early 1946.
    US Navy photo.    		 Alan Owens
    Cahuilla 249k USS Cahuilla (ATF-152) at anchor in San Diego Bay, mid-1946. Alan Owens
    ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1)
    Don Matías de Irigoyen y de la Quintana, Spanish sailor who enthusiastically embraced the patriotic cause and served as General Commander of the Navy and Secretary of War and Navy between 1815 and 1819.
    Cahuilla 63k Hand over and commissioning ceremony (inboard to outboard) ARA Comandante General Zapiola (A-2) (ex-USS Arapaho (ATF-68) and ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1) at Naval Station San Diego, CA., 9 July 1961. Photo courtesy of Ignacio Amendolara and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors. Robert Hurst
    Cahuilla 94k ARA Comandante General Irigoyen (A-1) moored pierside at Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, Argentina in August 1991.
    Photo courtesy of Ignacio Amendolara and National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors.    		 Robert Hurst
    USS Cahuilla (ATF-152)
    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
    Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.
    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 10 February 2012