USS Iuka (ATA-123) explained
USS Iuka (ATA-123) was laid down by Levingston Shipbuilding Co., Orange, Texas, on 21 November 1942. The ship was launched on 20 December 1942 and commissioned on 30 June 1943. After a brief period of duties out of
Norfolk, Virginia, ATR-45 sailed for the
Pacific, reaching
Espiritu Santo,
New Hebrides, via the
Panama Canal and
Bora Bora,
Society Islands, late in October. For the duration of war the fleet tug remained in the South Pacific islands, operating primarily at Espiritu Santo, to tow targets and barges as well as handle other harbor duties. ATR-45 was reclassified ATA-123 15 May 1944.
The ocean tug returned Pearl Harbor 7 September 1945 and from there set course for San Francisco. She performed harbor duties along the California coast until she decommissioned at San Pedro and went into reserve 26 November 1947. While berthed with the Columbia River Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, ATA-123 was named Iuka 16 July 1948. She remained in the Pacific Reserve until September 1960 when she was transferred to the Maritime Administration. In September 1962 Iuka entered the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Olympia, Washington, until she was sold in 1976.
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