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

USCGC Chilula (WMEC-153)
ex
USCGC Chilula (WATF-153) (1956 - 1966)
USCGC Chilula (WAT-153) (1956)
USS Chilula (ATF-153) (1945 - 1956)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Papa - India - November NPIN

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

USS Chilula (ATF-153 was transferred to the US Coast Guard and commissioned USCGC Chilula (WAT-153)

Cherokee Class Fleet Ocean Tug:

Laid down, 13 June 1944, as Fleet Tug (AT-153) at Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S.C.

Reclassified, Fleet Ocean Tug (ATF-153), 15 May 1944

Launched, 1 December 1944

Commissioned USS Chilula (AT-153), 5 April 1945, LT. O. L. Guinn in command

During World War II USS Chilula was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

Following World War II USS Chilula was assigned to Occupation duty from 19 September 1945 to 4 April 1946

Decommissioned, 8 February 1947, at Orange, TX.

Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, Orange

Transferred, on loan, to the Coast Guard, 9 July 1956

Commissioned USCGC Chilula (WAT-153), 3 October 1956, CDR Roy M. Hutchins, USCG in command

Designation changed to (WATF-153) in 1956 soon after commissioning

Redesignated Medium Endurance Cutter (WMEC-153), 1 May 1966

Decommissioned, 19 June 1991

Returned to US Navy custody, date unknown

Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown

Final Disposition, sunk as a target in 1997

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 Chilula (ATF-153)
	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
	352k	*USS Chilula* (ATF-153) and USS Chimanko (ATF-154)** fitting out in January 1945 at Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S.C. US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Alan Owens
	64k	*USS Chilula* (ATF-153)** commissioning crew photo, 5 April 1945 at Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S.C. US Navy Bureau of Ships photo now in the collections of the US National Archives.	Alan Owens
	41k	*USS Chilula* (ATF-153)** underway, circa 1945	Submitted by Larry Richter to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
USCGC Chilula (WAT / WATF / WMEC-153)
	54k	Ex-*USS Chilula* (ATF-153) in tow by USCGC Cherokee (WAT-165)** in 1956 on her way to the Coast Guard Yard Curtis Bay , MD. for conversion to Coast Guard service. US Coast Guard photo.	Alan Owens
	27k	Ex-*USS Chilula* (ATF-153) ex-USS Avoyel (ATF-150) being towed in 1956 by USCGC Cherokee (WAT-165)** to the Coast Guard Yard Curtis Bay , MD. for conversion to Coast Guard service. The harbor tug alongside is unidentified. US Coast Guard photo.	Alan Owens
	61k	Ex-*USS Chilula* (ATF-153) be converted for Coast Guard service at the Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, MD. in 1956. Astern of Chilula is ex-USS Avoyel (ATF-150)** also undergoing conversion to Coast Guard service. US Coast Guard photo.	Alan Owens
	75k	USCGCChilula (WAT-153) commissioning ceremony, 3 October 1956, at Coast Guard Yard, Curtis Bay, MD.	Bill Gonyo, courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Tug Association
	47k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** underway in Chesapeake Bay, circa 1957-1958	Submitted by Larry Richter to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	35k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** underway, date and place unknown	Submitted by Jim Perkins to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	33k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** moored at Frying Pan Light Tower, off Wilmington, N.C.	Submitted by Larry Richter to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	75k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** underway, date and location unknown. Photo from "the Towline" the National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors magazine, 1 September 1996.	Stan Svec
	49k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** underway, circa 1968	Submitted by Max Kearns to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	34k	Chilula (WMEC-153) off to coast of Cuba, 1980	Submitted by John Yoho to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
	39k	*USCGC Chilula* (WMEC-153)** decommissioning ceremony, 19 June 1991	Submitted by Larry Richter to National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors