RV Pacific Escort I – previously the U.S. Army LT-535 – was an Army tugboat acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1985 as an escort for submarines and as a for-hire oceanographic research ship at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.[1]
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | RV Pacific Escort I |
| Builder | Levingston Shipbuilding, Orange, Texas |
| Laid down | date unknown |
| Completed | for the U.S. Army in 1944, in service as LT-535, and in service from 1945 to 1984 |
| Acquired | by the U.S. Navy in 1985 |
| In service | 1985 |
| Out of service | date unknown |
| Stricken | date unknown |
| Identification |
|
| Fate | Sold commercial by Navy, Ataboy(IMO 8936906), Brittania U III |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | U.S. Army Design 377-A large tug |
| Tonnage | 505 gt |
| Length | 143 ft 5 in (43.71 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Draft | 14 ft (4.3 m) |
| Propulsion | two diesel engines, single shaft, 1,530shp |
| Speed | 11.5 knots |
| Complement | unknown |
| Armament | none |
Construction
editLT 535 was a Large Tug (LT), Design 377-A,[2] 505 gross ton, vessel built as hull #331 by Levingston Shipbuilding of Orange, Texas for the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during 1943-1944. She was delivered to the Army April 26, 1944[3] and placed in service as the U.S. Army LT-535.
Service career
editLT-535 had been in service with the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1984 when she was acquired and placed in service with the U.S. Navy in 1985, performing her duties with the Navy until finally struck at an unknown date and disposed of.[1]
U.S. Navy career
editWhen acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1985, she was renamed Pacific Escort was placed into service as an escort for American submarines. She was based at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, in California, and was available for lease to commercial interests as a general research ship.[1]
Inactivation
editPacific Escort was struck from the Navy List at an unknown date and sold commercial as Ataboy (IMO 8936906).[1][3][4] She is believed to be still in commercial service as Brittania U III in Nigeria.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ T. Colton (November 23, 2011). "U.S. Army Ocean Tugs (LT, ST)". ShipBuilding History. Archived from the original on 4 November 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ a b T. Colton (March 17, 2011). "Levingston Shipbuilding, Orange TX". ShipBuilding History. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
- ^ "SHIP IMO NUMBERS DATABASE". Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ SeaAgent.com. "BRITTANIA U III (IMO#, Call Sign, builder match)". Retrieved 18 February 2012.