USS Cahto (YTB-215)

Career
Name: USS Cahto (YTB-215)
Builder: W. A. Robinson, Inc., Ipswich, Massachusetts
In service: 1 June 1944
Out of service: 6 May 1957
Reclassified: YTB-215, 15 May 1944
Fate: Unknown
General characteristics
Class and type:Cahto-class district harbor tug
Displacement:410 long tons (417 t)
Length:110 ft 0 in (33.53 m)
Beam:27 ft 0 in (8.23 m)
Draft:11 ft 4 in (3.45 m)
Speed:12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement:12
Armament:2 × .50-caliber machine guns

USS Cahto was a harbour tug of the United States Navy.

The ship was laid down as YT-215 by W. A. Robinson, Inc. at Ipswich, Massachusetts[1] and reclassified YTB-215 ("Harbor Tug, Big") on 15 May 1944 prior to being placed in service on 1 June for duty in the 3rd Naval District. She remained in operation there until 5 July 1956 when she was transferred to the 6th Naval District, remaining active until her disposal on 6 May 1957.[2]

The Cahto was commanded by Ensign James E. Hair in 1944-45, who was one of the "Golden Thirteen", the first African-American commissioned officers in the U.S. Navy.[3]

References

  1. Colton, Tim (2011). "W. A. Robinson". shipbuildinghistory.com. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  2. "USS Cahto'". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History & Heritage Command. 2004. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  3. Lambert, Bruce (11 January 1992). "James E. Hair, 76, Naval Officer Whose Unit Broke Color Bar, Dies". The New York Times (New York: NYTC). ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 30 May 2012.