USS Sotoyomo (YTM-9/YT-9/Harbor Tug No.9) was a harbor tug built at the turn of the twentieth century. She saw service in both World War I and World War II and was heavily damaged by the Attack on Pearl Harbor. The name Sotoyomo commemorates a part of the Sioux tribe of Indians.[1] Sotoyomo was the oldest vessel at Pearl Harbor in service at the time of the attack.[2]
Sotoyomo was laid down 2 March 1903, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, she was launched 20 August 1903. She served in both World War I and World War II.[3]
Sotoyomo was in floating dry dock with undergoing overhaul when Pearl Harbor was attacked 7 December 1941. Explosions and fires on Shaw greatly damaged Sotoyomo which resulted in total submersion. Originally, Sotoyomo was deemed a total loss, but she was later refloated, repaired, and rehabilitated.[1]
Sotoyomo served throughout World War II in various locations across the Pacific including Naval Base Noumea, Naval Base Guadalcanal and Naval Base Philippines at Naval Base Leyte. In Leyte, on September 1945, she was declared in very poor shape and taken out of service. On 15 February 1946, she was scuttled off Leyte. She was struck from the Naval Register on 26 February 1946.