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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

USS ATR-50


International Radio Call Sign:
November - Zulu - Quebec - Victor
 NZQV
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
ATR-1 Class Rescue Tug:
  • Laid down, 6 May 1943, at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA.
  • Launched, 4 December 1943
  • Commissioned USS ATR-50, 5 May 1944, LT. August Billig in command
  • During World War II USS ATR-50 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater USS ATR-50 assisted in the salvage operation of USS Houston (CA-30) and USS Canberra (CA-70) during October 1944, and along with other tugs assisted in towing the damaged Canberra from Formosa to Ulithi.
  • Decommissioned, date unknown
  • Struck from the Naval Register in 1946
  • Sold for merchant service in 1947, named Toni B, US flagged
  • Final Disposition, believed to have foundered off Colon, Panama, 26 February 1955
    Specifications:
    Displacement 852 t.(lt) 1,315 t.(fl)
    Length 165' 6"
    Beam 33' 4"
    Draft 15' 6"
    Speed 12.2 kts.
    Largest Boom Capacity 4 t.
    Armament
    one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Complement
    Officers 5
    Enlisted 47
    Fuel Capacity
    NSFO 1,620 Bbls
    Propulsion
    one Fulton Iron Works vertical triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
    two Foster Wheeler "D"-type boilers, 200psi, Sat
    two Turbo drive Ships Service Generators, 60kw 120V D.C.
    single propeller, 1,600 hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    ATR-50 62k USS ATR-50 launching, 4 December 1943, at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA. Bruce Billig for his father CDR. August Billig USN Ret (deceased), CO USS ATR-50 1944
    ATR-50
    094005004    		 64k USS ATR-50 under construction, fitting out after launching, 4 December1943, at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA., date unknown.
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors    		 John Spivey
    ATR-50 62k Invitation to the commissioning of USS ATR-50 at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA., 5 May 1944 Bruce Billig for his father CDR. August Billig USN Ret (deceased), CO USS ATR-50 1944
    ATR-50 62k USS ATR-50 commissioning ceremony at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA., 5 May 1944. The first commanding officer LT. August Billig (wearing sunglasses) is standing on the platform at the right of the other dignitaries. Bruce Billig for his father CDR. August Billig USN Ret (deceased), CO USS ATR-50 1944
    There is no DANFS History currently available for USS ATR-50 at NavSource
    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
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 1 April 2022