Oneonta (S.P. 1138)
1918–1919
The Navy retained the name carried by this vessel at the time of her acquisition.
(S.P. 1138: tonnage 214 (gross); length 118'0"(overall); depth of hold 13'2"; beam 25'4"; draft 12'4"; speed 11.5 knots; armament 2 3-pounders)
Oneonta, a single-screw, steel-hulled tug built in 1910 by Willamette Iron Works, Portland, Oregon, was chartered by the Navy from the City of Portland [Oregon] on 28 April 1918.
Assigned the identification number S.P. 1138, Oneonta was commissioned on 29 June 1918, Ens. Christian Christensen in command. Assigned to the Thirteenth Naval District, operating out of Port Townsend, Wash., Oneonta towed barges and maneuvered ships to the oil and coal docks in Puget Sound and patrolled nearby waters. After accompanying the new H-6 (Submarine No. 149) just commissioned at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash., on 9 September 1918, to lower Puget Sound on 13 October, she soon thereafter resumed her work in and around the oil docks.
In March 1919, Oneonta steamed to Alaska for towing and patrol duty. In April, she steamed to British Columbia, returning to Seattle on the 7th. After inspection, she was decommissioned on 21 April 1919, and returned to the City of Portland on 7 May 1919.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
30 March 2021
