Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek (T-ATS-8)
The first U.S. naval ship named Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek and the fifth to honor the history, service, and contributions of the Saginaw Chippewa people of Michigan, who are comprised of the Saginaw, Black River, and Swan Creek bands. Ojibwe is also referred to as Chippewa, and Anishinabek means “original people.”
On 26 July 2019, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer announced the selection of the name Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek for Navajo class towing, salvage, and rescue ship T-ATS-8. The Navy had awarded Gulf Island Shipyards a $64.8 million contract option for her detail design and construction at the company’s facility at Houma, La. The ship’s design will be based on existing commercial towing offshore vessel plans. The Navajo class will replace the Powhatan (T-ATF-166) class fleet ocean tugs and Safeguard (T-ARS-50) class salvage ships in service with the Military Sealift Command, and the Navy plans on acquiring as many as six additional vessels to the class.
“I am deeply honored to announce that the history of the Saginaw Chippewa people will once again be part of Navy and Marine Corps history,” Secretary Spencer said. “The future USNS Saginaw Ojibwe Anishinabek honors the original people of modern day Michigan, with their original name, and will carry the proud Ojibwe legacy for decades to come.”
Detailed history pending.
Mark L. Evans
29 July 2019
