Navy Tenders & Tugs

Navy Tenders

A tender is a vessel that accompanied other ships, most generally destroyers, during sea missions. Tenders provided parts and labor to damaged ships. The USS Isle Royale AD-29, built in 1945 at Todd Pacific Shipyard, was one such tender which served in the Pacific during the late fifties and early sixties on continuous peace-keeping missions.

Navy Tug Ships

Tugs are vessels used to maneuver or tow other, larger vessels in harbors, through open water or through slight passages. Known for their small size and amazing strength, tugs generally have a very extreme power-to-tonnage ratio. Very maneuverable, tugs were used during World War II to transport disabled vessels and to pilot large ships through narrow canals. The USS Lipan AT-85 was a famous Navajo-class tug that served during World War II, aiding ships in the Pacific Ocean.

The men who worked aboard World War II-era tenders and tugs provided vital support to other U.S. ships, and while serving their country and fellow military personnel, they were probably exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos, a naturally occurring toxin found in the piping insulation aboard ships. All men who served aboard U.S. tenders and tugs built before 1980 should speak with a physician regarding the likelihood that they will one day develop mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer caused by previous asbestos exposure.

Tender Listing

Tug Listing

Last modified: December 09 2009.