Wahneta I

Wahneta I

(Yard Tug No. 1: dp. 192; lbp. 92'6"; b. 20'11 1/2"; dr.
8'; s. 11.5 k.)

Wahneta (Yard Tug No. 1) was laid down in April 1891 at Boston, Mass., by the City Point Iron Works launched on 3 March 1892 and subsequently was placed in service and assigned to the 5th Naval District.

Stationed at the Norfolk Navy Yard, the tug engaged in the unglamorous but vital tug, tow, and general harbor duties. In February 1893, she served as a seagoing observation platform off Port Royal, S.C. From her deck, observers watched test firings of "dynamite gun cruiser" Vesuvius' guns—15-inch pneumatic rifles. Returning to her routine work soon thereafter, the tug remained based at Norfolk from 1893 to 1922, through both the Spanish American and First World Wars. On 17 July 1920, the ship was designated YT-1. Subsequently placed out of service at Norfolk on 4 August, the venerable yard craft was sold on 6 December 1922 to the Norfolk Lighterage Company.