USS Chilula (AT-153)

USS Chilula (ATF-153) was a Navajo-class fleet tug constructed for the United States Navy during World War II.[2] Her purpose was to aid ships, usually by towing, on the high seas or in combat or post-combat areas, plus "other duties as assigned."

USCGC Chilula (WMEC-153) underway 2 July 1960, location unknown. The Coast Guard used her primarily for search and rescue.
History
United States
Name: USS Chilula (ATF-153)
Namesake: Chilula
Builder: Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co.
Laid down: 13 June 1944
Launched: 1 December 1944
Commissioned: 5 April 1945
Decommissioned: 8 February 1947
Reclassified:
Recommissioned:
  • USCGC Chilula (WAT-153)
  • 3 October 1956[1]
Decommissioned: 19 June 1991
Reclassified: Medium Endurance Cutter Chilula (WMEC-153) 1 May 1966[1]
Fate: Sunk as a target in 1997
General characteristics
Class and type: Navajo-class fleet tug
Displacement: 1,240 long tons (1,260 t)
Length: 205 ft (62 m)
Beam: 38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
Draft: 15 ft 4 in (4.67 m)
Propulsion:
Speed: 16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Complement:
  • U.S. Navy, 86
  • U.S. Coast Guard, 7 officers, 1 warrant, 68 enlisted (1961)[1]
Armament:

Description
International radio call sign of
USS Chilula (ATF-153)[2]
November Papa India November

Chilula was laid down 13 June 1944, at Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. in Charleston and launched on 1 December 1944. She was commissioned 5 April 1945, with Lt. O. L. Guinn in command.[2]

Decommission and Coast Guard service

After the war, Chilula sailed for home. At Orange, Texas on 8 February 1947, she was decommissioned and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She was transferred to the United States Coast Guard on 9 July 1956 as USCGC Chilula (WAT-153). Her hull number was subsequently changed to WATF-153 later in 1956 and then WMEC-153 in 1966.[1] The Coast Guard decommissioned her on 19 June 1991 and returned her to the U.S. Navy who expended her as a target in 1997.

See also

Citations
  1. Scheina, pp 50–52
  2. "USS Chilula". NavSource Naval History. Retrieved 22 July 2015.

References
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