Type V ship

The Type V ship is a United States Maritime Commission (MARCOM) designation for World War II tugboats. Type V was used in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. Type V ships were used to move ships and barges. Type V tugboats were made of either steel or wood hulls. There were four types of tugboats ordered for World War II. The largest type V design was the sea worthy 186-foot long steel hull, V4-M-A1. The V4-M-A1 design was used by a number of manufacturers, a total of 49 were built. A smaller steel hull tugboat was the 94-foot V2-ME-A1, 26 were built. The largest wooden hull was the 148-foot V3-S-AH2, which 14 where built. The smaller wooden hull was the 58-foot V2-M-AL1, which 35 were built. Most V2-M-AL1 tugboats were sent to England for the war efforts under the lend-lease act.. The type V tugs served across the globe during WW2 including: Pacific War, European theatre and in the USA. The SS Farallon and other type V tugs were used to help built Normandy ports, including Mulberry harbour, on D-Day, June 6, 1944 and made 9 round trips to Normandy to deliver Phoenix breakwaters.

Tugboats are used to maneuver vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs are needed to move vessels that either should not move by themselves, such as large ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal, or those that can not move by themselves, like as barges, disabled ships, or log rafts. Tugboats are powerful for their small size and are strongly built. Early tugboats used steam engines, but most have diesel engines now. Many tugboats have firefighting water canons, allowing them to assist in firefighting, especially in harbors. Some minesweepers like the USS Vireo (AM-52), USS Lark (AM-21) and USS Kingfisher (AM-25) were converted to ocean tugs for the war.

V2-ME-A1
Named for small US ports. Steel hull, 325 tons, 100 feet long, beam 25 feet, draft 11.5 feet. Engines 805 or 1,060 horsepower. Use as Army Transport Service or US Navy tugs, with designations of YT, YTB, or YTM. Built by" Birchfield Shipbuilding & Boiler Co, Ind de Tacoma in Washington 6 tugs; Canulette Shipbuilding Co. de in Slidell, La. 4 tugs; Calumet Shipyard & Drydock Co. de in Chicago, Ill. 5 tugs; Ira. S. Bushey & Sons de in Brooklyn. NY. 5 tugs; General Ship & Engine Works in East Boston, Mass. 2 tugs; and Brunswick Marine Construction Corp in Brunswick. Ga. 4 tugs.


 * Port Angeles	sold to US Navy 1942 renamed USS Hiawatha (YT-265), scrapped
 * Port Blakely	sold to US Navy 1942 renamed USS Pocahontas (YT-266) sold private 1972, scrapped
 * Port Discovery	Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Pogatacut (YT 267), sold private 1970, scrapped
 * Port Ludlow	Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Red Cloud (YT 268), sold private 1972, scrapped
 * Port Madison	Sold to US Navy 1942 renamed Sakarissa (YT 269), to MARAD 1974, now at Amphibious Forces Memorial Museum
 * Port Orchard	To US Navy 1942 renamed Santanta (YT 270), sold private 1972, now Maris Pearl
 * Port Allen	To US Navy 1942 renamed YTB 723, to MARCOM 1945, sold 1975, scrapped
 * Port Barre	Sold private 1946 renamed Standard No 2, scrapped
 * Port Hudson	Sold private 1946 Wabaquasset (YTB-724), then Crescent Towing
 * Port Vincent	Sold private 1946 Standard No 3, scrapped
 * Port Byron	To US Army 1942 renamed LT 113, sold 1946 renamed Dalzellaird, scrapped 197x
 * Port Allegheny	To US Army 1942 renamed LT 114, sold 1946 renamed Dyer, later Porpoise, Sachem, now *Porpoise
 * Port Elizabeth	To US Navy 1943 renamed USS Namequa (YT-331), sold private 1950, scrapped
 * Port Conway	To US Navy 1943 renamed Nesutan (YT 338), sold private 1950, scrapped
 * Port Fulton	To US Army 1943 renamed LT 238, sold private 1946, scrapped
 * Port Chester	To US Army 1943 renamed LT 233, sold 1946, scrapped
 * Port Crane	To US Navy 1942 renamed Swatane (YT 344), sold 1964, scrapped
 * Port Henry	Sold 1945, renamed Captain Rodger, wrecked 1947
 * Port Jervis	Later Newport, Felicia, Terror, R. H. Tripp sank 2005 hurricane
 * Port Kent To US Navy 1942 renamed Oratamin (YT 347), sold 1969, scrapped
 * Port Clyde	To US Army 1942 renamed LTC William R. Kendricks, sold renamed Resolute, scrapped
 * Port Huron	To US Army 1942 renamed LTC Herbert L. Kidwell, sold renamed: Port Huron, Dalzelloch, Dalzellido and Joan McAllister, scrapped.
 * Port Wentworth	To US Navy 1942 renamed Haiglar (YT 327), sold private 1947 Limon, Frank W.Barnes, Sandra, Sandra St.Philip, Tanda 12, Tug McGraw, scrapped
 * Port Clinton	Sold private 1945 Captain, Fred B.Dalzel, New Castle, Eliot Winslow, scrapped
 * Port Deposit	To US Navy 1942 renamed Mauvilla (YT 328), sold private 1963, scrapped
 * Port Edwards	Sold private 1945 Hercules, Bear'', scrapped

V4-M-A1
The V4-M-A1 was the largest and most powerful tugs in the world when they were built. Each was named after lighthouses, built in 1943. Steel hull, Steel hull, 1,613 tons, 195 foot long, beam 37.5 foot, draft 15.5 foot. Max. speed 14 knots. There were two engine manufacturers: National Supply Company, with 8-cylinder sets of 3,200 bhp and the Enterprise Engine & Trading Company with 6 cylinders and 2,340 bhp power. The V4s operated by Moran Towing & Transportation in New York on behalf of the War Shipping Administration. Built by: Avondale Marine in Westego, LA, General Ships & Engine in East Boston, MA, Pennsylvania Shipbuilding in Beaumont, TX, Globe Shipbuilding in Superior, WI, Froemming Brothers in Milwaukee, WI, Pendleton Shipbuilding in New Orleans, LA.
 * Seguin	Scrapped 1976
 * Sand Key	Scrapped 1977
 * Sanibel Island	Scrapped 1972
 * Sabine Pass	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1978
 * Point Loma	Scrapped 1972
 * Anacapa	Scrapped 1973
 * Point Vicente	To Mexico 1969 renamed Huitilopochtli (A 51)
 * Point Arguello	Scrapped 1973
 * Matagorda	Sank 1946
 * Aransas Pass	Scrapped 1973
 * Sombrero Key	To Argentina 1965 renamed Thompson, scrapped
 * Dry Tortugas	To Argentina 1965 renamed Goyena, scrapped
 * Southwest Pass	Scrapped 1973
 * Montauk Point	To Mexico 1969 renamed Quetzalcoatl (A 12)
 * Moose Peak	Helped with Normandy landings, To Mexico 1969, sank 1974
 * Boon Island	Sank 1976
 * Gay Head	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1977
 * Bodie Island	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1973
 * Great Isaac	Helped with Normandy landings, Sank 1947 collision with Norwegian freighter Bandeirante
 * Tybee	Scrapped 1978
 * Point Sur	Scrapped 1974
 * Farallon	Use to built Normandy port on D-Day, June 6, 1944, made 9 round trips to Normandy, To Mexico 1969, scrapped 1978
 * Point Cabrillo	Scrapped 1974
 * Trinidad Head	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1969
 * Scotch Cap	Scrapped
 * Watch Hill	Scrapped 1973
 * Wood Island	Scrapped 1973
 * Sands Point	Scrapped 1982
 * Point Judith	Scrapped 1978
 * Black Rock	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1969
 * Sankaty Head	Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1978
 * Yaqina Head	Sold private 1971, scrapped
 * Bald Island	Scrapped 1973
 * Fire Island	Scrapped 1972
 * Libby Island	Sold private 1971, scrapped
 * St. Simon	Scrapped 1977
 * Petit Manan	Scrapped 1976
 * Burnt Island	To Mexico 1969, scrapped 1979
 * Stratford Point Scrapped 1978
 * Two Harbors	Scrapped 1972
 * White Shoal	Sold private 1975, scrapped
 * Cubits Gap	Scrapped 1976
 * Hillsboro Inlet Helped with Normandy landings, Scrapped 1977
 * Jupiter Inlet	Sold private 1971, scrapped
 * Pigeon Point	To Mexico 1969, scrapped 1970
 * Point Arena	Scrapped 1976
 * Bayou St. John	Scrapped 1977
 * Mobile Point	Sank 1944
 * Race Point	Scrapped 1972

V3-S-AH2
A Douglas fir wood hull ship, 1,220 tons. Engine was a reciprocal steam triple expansion. Max of 1,000 hp. Max of 10 knots with out tow. About 6 knots with a tow. Range of 1,500 miles. Manned by a crew of 27.Built by Corpus Christi SB, Puget Sound SB Company, Standard SB Company of San Pedro, California, and Astoria SB Santa Barbara. Dimensions: Length 157 feet long, beam 32 feet, depth 18 fee, draft 15 feet.
 * Sustainer	To USSR
 * Compeller	To Britain renamed Atherida, sold private 1948, scrapped
 * Dexterous	To Britain renamed Athelney, to Trinidad 1945, to Caymans 1948, scrapped 1951
 * Mighty	To Britain renamed Atil, sold private 1948, scrapped
 * Secure	To Britain renamed Attigny, sold private 1948, scrapped 1955
 * Forthright	To Britain renamed Attock, to USN renamed YTB 610, to USSR 1944 renamed Forthright
 * Power	To Britain renamed Atengo, to Italy 1947 renamed Titano, scrapped 1974
 * Steadfast	To Britain renamed Atako, wrecked and lost 1944
 * Durable	To Britain renamed Ataran, to Italy 1947 renamed Ciclope, scrapped
 * Spirited	To Britain renamed Atolia, to Trinidad 1948, to Caymans 1951, scrapped
 * Helper	To Britain renamed Atoyac, to Italy 1949 renamed Nereo
 * resister	To Britain renamed Atiamuri, sold to Italy 1947, sold to Israel 1954
 * Superb	To Britain renamed Atwood, sold to Trinidad 1948, sold to Caymans 1951, scrapped
 * Robust	To Britain renamed Atmore, sold private 1948, scrapped

V2-M-AL1
Port Sewall class tug. Named for American ports. All but one tug went for Lend-Lease use, some serviced in the Mediterranean Sea in WW2. V2-M-AL1 were: Wood hull, 90 tons, beam 19 foot, diesel engine with 240 horsepower, fuel Oil: 1920 gallons. Built by Puget Sound SB, Standard SB, Steinbach IW, Eureka SB, Arlington SB, Texas SB, Siletz BW, Blair Company, Marinette Marine and Texas SB.
 * Port Sewall	To Britain as a "TUSA" = Tug, USA. (YN 1563)
 * Port Kennedy	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1564
 * Port Reading	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1565
 * Port Costa	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 1
 * Port San Luis	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 2
 * Port Chicago	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 3
 * Port Gamble	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 4
 * Port Tobacco	To Britain as a "TUSA" YN 5
 * Port Haywood	To US Navy renamed YTL 718, sold private 1947 renamed Limpiar.(YTL= Yard tug, little)
 * Port Inglis	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Mayaca	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Orange	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Richey	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port St. Joe	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Tampa City To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Arthur	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Bolivar	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Lavaca	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Neches	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port O'Connor	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Sullivan	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Stanley	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Townsend	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Ewen	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Gibson	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Jefferson	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Leyden	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Austin	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Homer	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Hope	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Sanilac	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port William	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Wing	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Sulphur	To Britain as a "TUSA"
 * Port Treverton	To Britain as a "TUSA"

Notable incidents

 * Sonoma tug sank off Dio Island in action at San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines when an enemy bomber crashed into her on 24 October 1944.
 * USS Partridge (AM-16) a Minesweeper, converted to a tug, Ocean Tug AT-138, sank after a torpedo from a German E-Boat hit on 11 June 1944. She sank on way to France at 49.5°N, -0.83333°W, about 11 nmi north of Vierville-sur-Mer.
 * Matagorda a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1946.
 * Boon Island a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1976.
 * Moose Peak a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1974. She was a Merchant Marine Ships at Normandy.
 * Great Isaac a V4-M-A1 tug, sank in 1947.
 * MV 'Mobile Point'' a V4-M-A1 tug sank on 23 December 1944 after collided with the SS Beaton Park, a British cargo ship off the coast of Oregon, near the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
 * YTL-566 sank on the way to Vietnam in the vicinity of Côn Sơn Island, during the Vietnam War.
 * YTL-199 sank in 1946.
 * Triton (YT-10) fleet tug, sank with all the crew on 30 December 1962 in storm off Huntington, Long Island, New York.
 * USS Pokagon (YT-274) sank in 1947.
 * USS Shahaka (YTB-368) sank after colliding with USS ABSD-2 midway between the California coast and the Hawaiian Islands at 27° 21'N 136° 29'W in June 1944.
 * USS Secota (YTM-415), Sank in collision with submarine, USS Georgia (SSGN-729) on 22 March 1986 near Midway Atoll.
 * YT-198 sank after hitting a mine off the Anzio beachhead on 18 February 1944.
 * USS Iona (YTB-220) sank after a fire in June of 1963.