Nabigwon (YTB-521)
1945-1987
A word in the language of the Mi'kmaq [Micmac] people, indigenous to what is now known as Canada's Atlantic Provinces, Quebec's Gaspee Peninsula, and the northeastern region of the state of Maine, meaning "ship."
(YTB-521: displacement 237; length 100'; beam 25'; draft 11'6"; speed 12 knots; complement 15; class Hisada)
Nabigwon (YTB-521) was laid down on 28 February 1945 at Jacksonville, Florida, by Gibbs Gas Engine Co.,; launched on 1 June 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Hollis U. Bible, the wife of Lt. Hollis U. Bible, of the office of Assistant Industrial Manager, USN, Jacksonville, Florida; and commissioned on 6 October 1945, Lt. (j.g.) Willie J. Gros in command.
Assigned to the Twelfth Naval District, upon reaching San Francisco, Calif., Nabigwon was assigned advanced base duty in the Pacific. In addition to towing and berthing services, she provided harbor fire protection and has been utilized as an inner harbor patrol craft.
Redesignated YTM-521 in February 1962, Nabigwon remained active as a medium harbor tug at Pearl Harbor into the 1970's. Subsequently taken out of service and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, ex-Nabigwon was disposed-of, by Navy Sale, on 28 July 1987.
Updated, Robert J. Cressman
7 January 2022
