Navajo I (Tug)
1908–1946
The first U.S. naval ship named in honor of the tribe of Athapascan Indians displaced by early American pioneers and currently residing on reservations in Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.
I
(Tug: displacement 800; length 141'4"; beam 27'6"; draft 14'1"; speed 12 knots)
The first Navajo, a tug built in 1907 by Neafie & Levy, Philadelphia, Pa., was purchased by the Navy on 21 November 1907; and commissioned on 17 March 1908.
Assigned to Pearl Harbor T.H., Navajo operated in the Hawaiian Islands throughout her naval career, performing towing and docking operations. In 1922, Water Barge No. 10, while in tow by Navajo, collided with R-16 (Submarine No. 93). With a hole in her bow, the barge sank within minutes. The gallant action of men from Navajo resulted in the rescue of the barge’s three-man crew.
After decommissioning, Navajo was stricken from the Navy List on 24 April 1937. On 14 January 1942, however, she was restored to the list as IX-56, and served in a decommissioned status at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard. She was placed in service on 15 March 1942, and continued operations in the 14th Naval District throughout World War II.
After wartime service Navajo was stricken from the Navy List on 9 February 1946, and on 23 November 1948 sold for scrap to Commercial Equipment Co.
Updated by Mark L. Evans
1 July 2019
