USS Arabian (1896)

USS Arabian was a harbor tug that served in the United States Navy from 1918 to 1919.

Arabian was built as a commercial steam tug of the same name in 1896 by John H. Dialogue & Sons at Camden, New Jersey. She was active in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, area. On 29 October 1918, the U.S. Navy acquired her under a bareboat charter from her owner, Mr. P. F. Martin of Philadelphia, for use during World War I. She never received a naval registry identification number, but was placed in service as USS Arabian on 5 November 1918.

World War I ended on 11 November 1918, six days after Arabian was placed in service. No longer needed, she never received an assignment and apparently never saw active naval service. The Navy returned her to Martin on 31 January 1919.