Pocahontas IV (YT-266)
(YT-266: dp. 237; l. 100-; b. 25-; dr. 9-7-; s. 16 k.; cpl. 14; cl. Hiawatha; T. V2-ME-A1)
An Algonquin princess, daughter of Powhatan, who saved Capt. John Smith's life while he was a prisoner of her father's warriors. She subsequently married John Rolfe and died in England in 1617. Counties in Iowa and West Virginia and towns in Arkansas, Iowa, and Virginia are named for Pocahontas.
IV
The third Pocahontas was laid down, under Maritime Commission contract, as Port Blakeley (MC hull 433) by Birchfield Boiler Inc., Tacoma, Wash., 27 October 1941; launched 2 May 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Alvin Davies; designated for Navy use and renamed Pocahontas (YT-266), 4 July 1942; delivered to the Maritime Commission and transferred to the Navy, 31 December 1942; and placed in service, in the 11th Naval District, 16 March 1943.
Pocahontas, redesignated YTB-266, 15 May 1944, served the 11th Naval District, headquartered at San Diego, until after World War II. Between 1946 and 1955 she operated in the 12th Naval District, headquartered at San Francisco, then returned to the 11th Naval District. Redesignated YTM-266, February 1962, she has continued to provide tug and towing services to that district into 1970.
