Chawacha ATF-161

Chawacha

An Indian tribe of Louisiana.

(ATF-161: dp. 1,240, 1. 206'; b. 38'6"; dr. 16'4"; s. 16 k.; cpl. 86, a. 1 3"; cl. Cherokee)

Chawacha (ATF-151) was launched 16 September 1944 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. Charleston, S.C.; sponsored by Mrs. R. H. Grantham and commissioned 6 February 1946, Lieutenant H. K. Smith in command.

Chawacha sailed from Philadelphia 24 March 1946 on a long and arduous towing job, bringing two dump sows south along the east coast, through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific to Samar, P.I., which she reach Er 16 June. On 27 June she arrived at Ulithi to join the logistic support group servicing the Third Fleet in its series of pounding raids against the Japanese homeland. 19n 8 July, Sioux (ATF-76) broke down at sea, and

Chawacha towed her to Saipan, rejoining the logistic group 16 July for replenishment and courier service until she put in to Tokyo Bay 6 September. Here she cleared wrecked Japanese shipping from the dock areas at Yokosuka and Yokohama.

Chawacha continued to aid occupation activities in the Far East until 19 February 1946, when she cleared Kobe for Samar. Here she took ARD-18 in tow for Pearl Harbor, where she assumed another tow for Balboa. Sailing singly, she arrived in San Pedro 4 June, and there was placed out of commission in reserve 30 September 1946.

Chawacha received one battle star for World War II service.