Definition
USS Yuma (AT‑94) was a United States Navy oceangoing fleet tug of the Cherokee‑class, commissioned during World War II. The vessel served primarily in towing, salvage, and rescue operations in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.
Overview
The ship was laid down in 1942, launched in 1943, and entered active service later that year. After a brief period of shakedown and training along the United States East Coast, Yuma performed towing assignments in the Atlantic before being reassigned to the Pacific Fleet in 1944. Throughout the remainder of the war, she participated in a series of campaigns, including the Mariana Islands, the Philippines, and the Okinawa operation, providing essential logistic support to combat vessels and assisting damaged ships. Following the end of hostilities, Yuma was decommissioned in 1946 and entered the reserve fleet. The tug remained in reserve for several decades before being struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold to a private entity in the early 1970s.
Etymology/Origin
The ship was named after the city of Yuma, Arizona, following the U.S. Navy tradition of naming fleet tugs after Native American tribes, towns, or geographic features. The name “Yuma” derives from the Quechan people who inhabit the region surrounding the city of Yuma.
Characteristics
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Class & type | Cherokee‑class fleet tug (AT) |
| Hull number | AT‑94 (later redesignated ATF‑94) |
| Displacement | Approx. 1,600 tons (standard) |
| Length | 205 ft (62.5 m) |
| Beam | 38 ft (11.6 m) |
| Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion | One diesel engine driving a single screw; horsepower rating not fully documented |
| Speed | 16–17 knots (maximum) |
| Complement | Around 85 officers and enlisted personnel |
| Armament | Typically one 3‑inch/50 caliber gun and various small‑caliber anti‑aircraft weapons; exact fit varied with theater assignments |
| Key roles | Towing of warships and barges, salvage and rescue, fire‑fighting support, limited escort duties |
Note: Precise technical data for USS Yuma are subject to variation among sources; the figures above represent the most commonly reported specifications for Cherokee‑class tugs.
Service Highlights
- Atlantic Operations (1943‑1944) – Conducted towing missions between U.S. ports and escorted convoys along the Eastern Seaboard and to the Caribbean.
- Pacific Transfer (mid‑1944) – Joined Service Squadron 10 at Pearl Harbor, providing logistical support for the island‑hopping campaign.
- Marianas & Philippines (1944‑1945) – Assisted damaged vessels during and after the invasions of Saipan, Guam, and Leyte Gulf.
- Okinawa (April‑June 1945) – Performed continuous salvage and firefighting operations amid intense kamikaze attacks, helping to keep fleet units operational.
- Post‑war duties (1945‑1946) – Supported occupation forces in Japan and conducted demobilization towing tasks before returning to the United States for decommissioning.
Decommissioning and Fate
USS Yuma was placed out of commission on 28 March 1946 and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida. She remained in reserve until being struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 April 1973. The tug was subsequently sold to a commercial buyer; subsequent civilian service and final disposition are not fully documented in publicly available naval records.
Related Topics
- Cherokee‑class fleet tugs – A series of 70 oceangoing tugs built for the U.S. Navy during WWII, designated “AT” and later “ATF”.
- U.S. Navy Service Squadrons – Logistics units responsible for fleet support, towing, and repair services during the war.
- Yuma, Arizona – The eponymous city after which the vessel was named.
- Naval salvage operations in World War II – The broader context of rescue and repair activities performed by ships like USS Yuma.
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command, “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships” (DANFS) – entry on USS Yuma (AT‑94).
- Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1945 edition – specifications for Cherokee‑class tugs.
Accurate information is not confirmed for certain post‑sale commercial activities and precise propulsion details, as records are limited or classified.