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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Oswegatchie (YTM-778)
ex
 Oswegatchie (YTB-515) (1945 - 1966)


Oswegatchie (YTB-515) was transferred to Venezuela and renamed ARBVJose Felix Ribas (R-13)
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal
Cholocco Class District Harbor Tug, Large:
  • Laid down, 13 August 1945, at Commercial Iron Works, Portland, OR.
  • Launched, 24 October 1945
  • Delivered and placed in service, as Oswegatchie (YTB-515), 28 December 1945, LTjg). David C. Richardson USN in charge
  • Initially allocated to the 13th Naval District.
  • Reallocated to the 14th Naval District (Pearl Harbor) in January 1946
  • Assumed duties as harbor tug, 17 February 1946 in the 14th Naval District
  • 29 June 1946 Oswegatchie began towing the self-propelled covered lighter YF 295 from Pearl Harbor to Astoria, OR. for lay up..
  • Laid up, 2 August 1946, in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group
  • Reactivated and transferred, leased, to Venezuela in June 1965, renamed ARBV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13), LTjg. Reinaldo Ramírez Dala, Venezuela Navy, in command
  • Redesignated District Harbor Tug, Medium YTM-778 in March 1966
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • renamed ARBV Fernando Gomez (RP-21) in 1978
  • Final Disposition, sunk in the Caribbean Sea in 2004
    Specifications:
    Displacement 345 t.
    Length 100'
    Beam 26'
    Draft 9' 7"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 10
    Armament two .50 cal machine gun
    Propulsion diesel, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Oswegatchie 839k Ex-Oswegatchie (YTB-515) being accepted into the Venezuelan Navy at Naval Station San Diego in June 1965. as GRAL Jose Felix Ribas (R-13). The officer with the flag is LTjg. Reinaldo Ramirez Dala the first "skipper". In the background is USS Paul Revere (APA-248) Pedro San Miguel, skipper Fernando Gomez 1985-1987
    Oswegatchie 55k ARBV Fernando Gomez (RP-21) at sea as a unit of the Venezuelan Navy Coast Guard, circa 1991. Pedro San Miguel, skipper Fernando Gomez 1985-1987
    View the Oswegatchie (YTB-515 / YTM-778)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval Historical Center
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    No Information Available
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    US Navy Harbor Tug Boats
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Yard and District Craft Photo Index Back To The District Harbor Tug, Large (YTB) Photo Index Back To The District Harbor Tug, Medium (YTM) Photo Index
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    This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo
    © 2005 Gary P. Priolo © 1996 - 2008 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.
    Last Updated 7 March 2008