About this Unit
USS Seminole (AT-65) was a fleet tug commissioned by the United States Navy in 1940. Assigned to the Pacific Fleet during World War II, Seminole provided critical towing and salvage services, supporting naval operations across the Pacific theater. On October 25, 1942, while delivering supplies to Guadalcanal, Seminole was attacked and sunk by Japanese destroyers off Lunga Point. The loss of USS Seminole underscored the dangers faced by support vessels during frontline operations in the Solomon Islands campaign.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Seminole (AT-65) was named after the Seminole Native American tribe from Florida, continuing the tradition of naming fleet tugs after Native American tribes.
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Class and Type: She was a Cherokee-class fleet tug, one of the most widely used classes of ocean-going tugs in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
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Launch and Commission: USS Seminole was launched on 15 May 1942 by the Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Charleston, South Carolina, and commissioned on 8 December 1942.
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World War II Service: Throughout WWII, Seminole performed essential towing, salvage, and support operations in the Atlantic Ocean, including convoy escort and rescue missions.
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Convoy Duty: Seminole helped escort and protect vital convoys across the Atlantic, ensuring the safe passage of troops and supplies under threat from German U-boats.
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Salvage Operations: She was involved in several salvage operations, assisting damaged Allied vessels and helping to clear harbors and channels for continuous naval operations.
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Post-war Service: After WWII, Seminole continued serving as a fleet tug, participating in peacetime towing, target towing, and salvage missions along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean.
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Decommissioning: USS Seminole was decommissioned on 6 February 1947 and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Orange, Texas.
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Final Fate: She was struck from the Navy List on 1 March 1961 and was eventually sold for scrapping.
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Legacy: Although not a frontline combatant, Seminole and her crew played a crucial role in keeping the U.S. Navy operational, exemplifying the indispensable support roles that made victory possible in the Atlantic theater.
