USS Sonoma (AT-12)
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States
|
|
| Name: | Sonoma |
| Laid down: | 7 November 1911 |
| Launched: | 11 May 1912 |
| Commissioned: | 6 September 1912 |
| Struck: | 27 November 1944 |
| Honours and awards: |
5 Battle stars |
| Fate: | Lost to enemy action, 24 October 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1,120 t. |
| Length: | 175 ft (53 m) |
| Beam: | 34 ft (10 m) |
| Draught: | 12 ft 6 in (3.81 m) (mean) |
| Speed: | 13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph) |
| Complement: | 56 |
USS Sonoma (AT-12) was a Sonoma-class fleet tug which had the distinction of serving her country during World War I and World War II. For her work as a tugboat in some very dangerous battle areas, she earned five battle stars during World War II. She ended her battle career when she was sunk by a crashing Japanese bomber.
The second U.S. Navy warship to be named Sonoma, the tug's keel was laid down on 7 November 1911, at Camden, New Jersey, by the New York Shipbuilding Co.. The vessel was launched on 11 May 1912 and commissioned on 6 September 1912, Chief Boatswain William Darrington in command.
Upon commissioning, Sonoma was assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet as a tender, and she served in that capacity through World War I. In 1919, the tug was transferred to the U.S. Pacific Fleet and, on 17 July 1920, was designated AT-12. Sonoma was assigned to Train Squadron 2 of the newly organized Base Force during the winter of 1923 and 1924 and remained with the Base Force through the early years of World War II.
At the outbreak of war between the United States and Japan, Sonoma was in transit from Wake Island to Pearl Harbor: and, after a voyage to Canton Island and back in February and March 1942, she remained at Pearl Harbor until October, serving as a channel guard vessel. At that time, she departed Pearl Harbor in company with the destroyer Ellet and auxiliary Turkey to tow ARD-2 and YO-24 to New Caledonia. The group arrived at Noumea on 3 November and, after two weeks of repairs and upkeep, Sonoma sailed for Sydney, Australia, with Alhena in tow. She returned to Nouméa on 6 December and stayed there until 2 January 1943. On that date, she put to sea to aid damaged United States Army workboat P-111 to limp into port. She and her charge made Nouméa on 5 January.
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