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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, date unknown, at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA.
  • Launched, 5 May 1944
  • 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 commercial 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) 1,360 t.(fl) 693 grt.
    Length 165' 6"
    Beam 33' 4"
    Draft 15' 6"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Armament
    one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount
    two single 20mm AA gun mounts
    Complement 5 officers, 55 enlisted
    Propulsion triple-expansion reciprocating steam engines, single screw, 1,600 hp
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By
    ATR-50 62k USS ATR-50 launching, 5 May 1944, at Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, CA. Bruce Billig for his father CDR. August Billig USN Ret (deceased), CO USS ATR-50 1944
    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
    Fleet Reserve Association
    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 Rescue Tug (ATR) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 13 June 2008