USS Algorma (ATO-34)

USS Algorma (AT-34) providing tug service to an unidentified aircraft carrier, date and place unknown.
History
United States
Name:	USS Algorma (AT-34)
Builder:	Staten Island Shipbuilding Co., Port Richmond, NY
Laid down:	6 January 1919
Launched:	12 June 1919
Commissioned:	15 May 1920
Decommissioned:	3 May 1922
Recommissioned:	28 September 1924
Decommissioned:	18 June 1946
Struck:	31 July 1946
Fate:	transferred to the Maritime Commission, 14 January 1947 for disposal
General characteristics
Displacement:	998 t
Length:	156 ft 8 in (47.75 m)
Beam:	30 ft (9.1 m)
Draft:	14 ft 7 in (4.45 m)
Propulsion:	single screw
Speed:	13.6 knots (25.2 km/h; 15.7 mph)
Complement:	44
Armament:	one machine gun

3 May 1922

The first USS Algorma AT-34 was laid down on 6 January 1919 at Port Richmond, NY, by the Staten Island Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 12 June 1919; and commissioned on 15 May 1920 at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, NY, Lt. H. C. Brown in command.

Following her commissioning, the tug was assigned to duty in the 3rd Naval District. On 17 July 1920, she received the alphanumeric designation AT-34. In January 1921, the ship was reassigned to the 5th Naval District, homeported at Norfolk, VA., and carried out towing operations there until 12 September 1921. She sailed from Hampton Roads for the Canal Zone on that day and reached Coco Solo on 28 September. She then began operations between Coco Solo and San Diego, California, carrying out towing duties. In April 1922, the vessel left the Canal Zone and proceeded to the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, where she arrived on 29 March 1922 and began deactivation preparations. The tug was placed out of commission at Mare Island on 3 May 1922.

Algorma was recommissioned there on 29 September 1924, Lt. Frank Schultz in command. She was assigned to Fleet Base Force, Train Squadron 2, Battle Fleet, and provided services as a tender to aircraft and towed targets and carried put routine towing duty along the California coast. The highlight of her service during this period was a mission of mercy late in June 1925, when the tug carried emergency supplies to victims of the 1925 Santa Barbara earthquake. Algorma continued her west coast operations through 30 June 1941, when she left San Diego and returned to the east coast.

The tug reported to the Atlantic Fleet on 14 July 1941 and briefly operated in the Caribbean before arriving in Norfolk on 13.August. During late August and early September, she acted as a target towing vessel during exercises held off the coast of Maine. Upon completion of this assignment, the ship returned to Norfolk and remained in the Hampton Roads area through June 1942 performing various towing duties.