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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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Massasoit III (YT-131)

(YT‑131: dp. 222; l. 111'2"; b. 26'9"; dr. 8'5"; s. 9 k.; cl. Massasoit)

Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoag Indians of New England, born around 1580, befriended the English colonists and gave the food and assistance during the early settlement of the Plymouth Colony. His son, the chief known as King Philip, started the destructive King Philip's War some years after Massasoit's death in 1661.

III

The third Massasoit (YT‑131) was launched 13 December 1938 by U. S. Navy Yard, Charleston, S.C.; sponsored by Miss Jean L. Cushman; and placed in service in 1939.

Massasoit soon steamed to Norfolk, Va., to undertake duties in the harbors of the 5th Naval District. The outbreak of war intensified her duties, crucial to the efficient top‑speed operation of vital ports. She was redesignated YTM‑131 in May 1944, and the next year sailed to complete her war service in the Canal Zone ports of the 15th Naval District. Returning to Norfolk, she was temporarily in reserve from April 1948 to August 1950, then returned to towing and general harbor duties into 1969.

Published: Thu Aug 06 09:47:08 EDT 2015