USS Allaquippa (YT-174)

Evidence

12 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-12).

1. [1]research packet 1099-packet.md (1 sources cited) [nhhc_danfs]

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Evidence ID

   uss-allaquippa-yt174-pkt-1099-packet-md

2. [2]Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, 'Allaquippa (YT-174)' (via Wayback capture dated 2024-05-26; live URL returns HTTP 404 as of 2026-10-05 - standing NHHC link-rot defect also noted in BATCH-01/BATCH-98/BATCH-9293) [nhhc_danfs]

   Locator

   DANFS entry, full text and spec block

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   DANFS entry for Allaquippa (YT-174) (1941-1973; updated by Robert J. Cressman, 6 June 2022). Namesake: 'a Native American woman who served as a leader (sachem) in the Delaware tribe around the middle of the 18th century' in what is now Allegheny County, Pa. Verbatim history: 'Allaquippa, built in 1941 at Port Arthur, Texas, by the Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works, was purchased by the Navy on 15 June 1941 from the General Motors Corp., and placed in service in August 1941 as the harbor tug Allaquippa (YT-174). Assigned to the Third Naval District, Allaquippa operated from New London, Conn., through the end of World War II, during which time, on 15 May 1944, she was reclassified as a big harbor tug and redesignated YTB-174. For a decade after the return of peace, the harbor tug continued to serve in the Third Naval District. In September 1955, Allaquippa was reassigned to the First Naval District. In February 1962, she was reclassified as a medium harbor tug and redesignated YTM-174. The tug served in New England waters until the spring of 1969 when she was transferred to the Fifth Naval District. For the remainder of her active career, Allaquippa operated around Norfolk, Va. She was placed out of service sometime during the first half of 1973, and her name was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in June 1973. Purportedly, she was documented as Herman W. in 1976, and, subsequently, as Arctic Ann, and met her ultimate end, sinking in Alaskan waters, on 12 January 1995.' Spec block: displacement 206; length 102'2"; beam 24'0"; draft 10'0"; speed 12.0 knots (trial); complement 15; class Allaquippa.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1941-1995

   Limitations

   Authoritative for identity, namesake, purchase/service history, designations, and strike month. The entry is short: no laid-down/launch dates, no complement detail beyond the spec figure, no exact out-of-service date, and the entire post-Navy chain is stated as 'Purportedly' - soft sourcing inside the official entry. Its sinking date of 12 January 1995 conflicts with USCG-derived secondary sources giving 1 December 1995 (see ev-07 and gaps). Contains no asbestos, materials, or condition information; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-01

3. [3]NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive, Allaquippa (YTM-174) ex YTB-174 ex YT-174 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Page header timeline block, specifications table, ribbon list (page confirmed live at navsource.net 2026-10-05; the dead navsource.org domain was not used)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   NavSource Online timeline for this hull: 'Built by Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works, Port Arthur, TX (YN 168); Laid down, date unknown; Launched, date unknown; Purchased by Navy before completion from General Motors Corp., 15 June 1941; Placed in service as Allaquippa (YT-174), August 1941; Assigned to Third Naval District at New London, CT; Reclassified District Harbor Tug, Large, YTB-174, 15 May 1944; Reallocated to the First Naval District, September 1955; Reclassified District Harbor Tug, Medium, YTM-174, in February 1962; Reallocated to the Fifth Naval District at Norfolk, 1969; Placed out of service, date unknown; Struck from the Naval Register, June 1973; Supposedly registered as tug Herman W, 1976; Renamed Arctic Ann, date unknown; Reportedly sunk off Alaska, 12 January 1995.' Specifications: displacement 206 tons (light); length 102'2"; beam 24'; draft 10'; speed 12 kts.; complement 17; armament unknown; propulsion 'General Motors EMD 567 Diesel-electric engines, single propeller, 1,000shp.' Ribbons: American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2). Radio call sign NIHT.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1941-1995

   Limitations

   NavSource is a volunteer photo-archive compilation, not a government registry; its timeline agrees with DANFS on all overlapping facts (including the same '12 January 1995' sinking date - likely copied from DANFS, not independent corroboration) and adds the spec block, propulsion particulars, call sign, and ribbons. Its complement (17) conflicts with DANFS (15) - carried in gaps. 'Supposedly'/'Reportedly' hedge words on the post-Navy chain signal soft sourcing. No asbestos or materials content; supports no asbestos claim.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-02

4. [4]National Archives photo 80-G-35636 (RG 80-G series), as captioned in NavSource 14/08174 'Allaquippa (YTB-174) tying up to barge in Long Island Sound during net-laying operations, January 1943' [other_primary]

   Locator

   NavSource 14/08174 photo table, third image block (396k)

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Navy photograph 80-G-35636 documents this hull in service: 'Allaquippa (YTB-174) tying up to barge in Long Island Sound during net-laying operations, January 1943' (National Archives photo 80-G-35636; image contributed to NavSource by Dave Wright). This places the tug on net/boom-defense work in the Third Naval District's Long Island Sound operating area during the wartime anti-submarine-net program. The NavSource archive also holds: the 1941 launching photograph at Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works (a General Motors Diesel Engine Division recruiting-poster image, courtesy Bill Mozinga via NAFTS); an underway photo from the U.S. Navy Memorial collection; builders-trials photography in Port Arthur harbor circa 1941 (Gulfport files via NAFTS); a deck photo of the crew on the Thames River, New London (via SVARA); and an ex-Allaquippa laid-up photo.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   archival_lead

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1943-01

   Population

   YTB-174 crew during net-laying operations, January 1943; any net-tender/barge crews worked alongside

   Limitations

   The photo caption documents an operational duty (net-laying support in Long Island Sound, January 1943) - it is not a work order, materials record, or survey. The NARA catalog page for 80-G-35636 could not be fetched (catalog.archives.gov is JS-rendered - standing access limitation also noted in BATCH-98); the caption text is transcribed from NavSource, so the catalog-level metadata (date precision, series title) is verified at one remove. No asbestos content; a photograph cannot establish or exclude materials aboard.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-03

5. [5]Shipscribe, U.S. Naval Auxiliaries, 'Harbor Tugs (YT): Photo Gallery - Large Types, 1922-1945' class list (YT-174/Allaquippa class row) and reclassification note [other_primary]

   Locator

   YT119-p.html class-list table, row 'b - YT-174 (Allaquippa)', and the 15 May 1944 / February 1962 reclassification note

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   Shipscribe / U.S. Naval Auxiliaries (USNAUX) harbor-tug type table, sourced to the Navy's 1949 Ships Data Book and NAVSHIPS 250-641 'Ship Contracts Awarded 1 January 1934 - 1 July 1955,' lists class b as 'YT-174 (Allaquippa),' first order 29 May 1941 (marked '*Acquired'), dimensions 102 ft oa x 25 ft ext x 10 ft nav, 206 tons standard / 318 tons full, tugs in class: 'YT 174-176, BYT 1-5, PYT 1-2, YT 368-383.' The table notes the fleet-wide 15 May 1944 reclassification of in-service YTs to YTB, and the February 1962 downgrade of surviving WWII YTBs to YTM - matching this hull's YTB-174 (15 May 1944) and YTM-174 (February 1962) designations exactly. The gallery page captions class-sister photography (Chekilli YT-175 and Junaluska YT-176 on trials/launching at Port Arthur; British Helpful BYT-3; Peruvian Curaray PYT-2; Skandawati YT-370).

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1941-1966 (class build/reclassification window)

   Limitations

   Class-table documentation naming this hull's class assignment and characteristics, compiled from official Navy data books - a reliable secondary register, not the underlying documents themselves. Confirms 'acquired' (not Navy-contract-built) status, consistent with the DANFS purchase-from-GM history. The class list spans Navy, British (BYT), and Peruvian (PYT) orders. No asbestos or materials content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-04

6. [6]Naval Marine Archive / shipbuildinghistory dataset, 'Gulfport Shipbuilding (Gulfport Boiler & Welding), Port Arthur TX' yard hull list, row 168 [other_primary]

   Locator

   Yard hull table, row 168; page history preamble (confirmed live 2026-10-05)

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works yard register (Port Arthur, TX; compiled on the shipbuildinghistory/navalmarinearchive model from builder and merchant-vessel records) lists yard hull 168: 'YT 174 / Allaquippa / GM-US Navy / Tug / 184 GT-LDT / 95 ft / delivered 14-Jun-41 / Sold 1976 as Herman W (ON 575676), later Arctic Ann, sank 1995.' The yard history notes Gulfport Boiler & Welding Works, Inc., was established in the 1930s, became a leading builder of ocean tugs in WWII, was renamed Gulfport Shipbuilding Corporation postwar, was acquired by Levingston Shipbuilding in 1970, and closed in 1985; the yard sat on the west side of the Sabine River between the Port of Port Arthur and the Pleasure Island bridge. Sister rows: hull 176 = YT-175 Chekilli, hull 189 = YT-176 Junaluska - both GM/US Navy tugs delivered 1941.

   Verification

   verified

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1941

   Population

   Gulfport yard trades during construction (1941)

   Limitations

   Secondary register compiled from builder/merchant records, not the builder's own archive. Independently corroborates the build year, the GM-to-Navy order path, the 1976 sale as Herman W, and - critically - the merchant official number ON 575676, which matches the USCG documentation number carried by tugboatinformation.com. Its 95-ft figure and 14-Jun-41 delivery are the registered/delivery granularity; DANFS's 102'2" is the naval overall length and the Navy purchase was recorded 15 Jun 1941 - variants noted in gaps, not harmonized. No asbestos or materials content.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-05

7. [7]tugboatinformation.com vessel record, USCG Doc. No. 575676 (Herman W / Arctic Ann / Tongass identity chain); corroborated by alaskashipwreck.com 'TONGASS (1995)' entry (USCG shipwreck-list-derived) [other_primary]

   Locator

   tugboatinformation.com tug.cfm?id=8645 (and id=12629 for Arctic Ann); https://alaskashipwreck.com/shipwrecks-by-area/south-east-alaska-shipwrecks/south-east-alaska-shipwrecks-t/ TONGASS (1995) entry

   Finding type

   vessel_history

   Finding

   Post-Navy documentation chain (secondary compilations of U.S. Coast Guard vessel-documentation records): tugboatinformation.com records for USCG Doc. No. 575676 show a steel-hulled towing vessel built 1941 by Gulfport Boiler & Welding (hull 168), Port Arthur TX, hailing port Juneau AK, 94.7 ft documented length / 141 gross / 96 net tons, coastwise-unrestricted, owners 'United States Navy, Marine Leasing Corporation, Martech Marine Inc, Miles W. Keso,' names 'YT-174 Allaquippa, YTB-174 Allaquippa, YTM-174 Allaquippa, Herman W, Arctic Ann.' The same compilation states the tug was acquired by Marine Leasing Corp. of Seattle in 1976 as Herman W, acquired by Martech Marine Inc. of Anchorage in 1990 as Arctic Ann, and finally owned by Miles W. Keso of Juneau as Tongass, sinking 1 December 1995. Alaska-shipwreck compilations drawing on the USCG shipwreck list (1989-2004) record the Tongass capsizing and sinking in heavy weather on 1 December 1995 near Hump Island, north of Point Retreat, while disembarking a state pilot from the ~600-ft log carrier Ken El at the Point Retreat pilot station: the deckhand jumped to the Ken El as the tug rolled over; captain/owner Miles 'Mike' Keso entered the water without his survival suit fully on and died after recovery; conditions NW winds 30-40 kt, 8-10 ft seas, freezing spray, 20 deg F, with heavy icing plus hull-contact/hydrodynamic interaction with the Ken El contributing.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1976-1995

   Population

   Merchant crew of Herman W / Arctic Ann / Tongass (1976-1995); Captain Miles 'Mike' Keso (deceased 1 Dec 1995) and one surviving deckhand

   Limitations

   Secondary compilations of USCG records - the underlying NVDC/documentation file (ON 575676) and any Coast Guard marine-casualty investigation were not directly fetched (NVDC/PSIX are JS-rendered or behind query interfaces; no public NTSB/Marine Board report located). The identity chain is corroborated three ways (DANFS 'purportedly,' yard register ON 575676, USCG-derived compilations) but each link is secondary. Sinking date here (1 December 1995) conflicts with DANFS's 12 January 1995 - described as a conflict, not resolved by fiat; the USCG-derived date is better sourced but the underlying USCG record was not seen. Not an asbestos record.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-06

8. [8]Date-conflict cross-check: DANFS Allaquippa (YT-174) entry (12 Jan 1995) vs USCG shipwreck-list-derived compilations and documented-vessel records (1 Dec 1995) [other_primary]

   Locator

   ev-01 (DANFS) vs ev-06 (tugboatinformation/alaskashipwreck)

   Finding type

   historical_record

   Finding

   CORRECTION/DATE CONFLICT on final loss: DANFS (updated 2022) states the tug 'met her ultimate end, sinking in Alaskan waters, on 12 January 1995' and NavSource repeats 'Reportedly sunk off Alaska, 12 January 1995.' The USCG-derived secondary record instead dates the loss 1 December 1995 and describes a specific, witnessed casualty - capsizing near Hump Island/Point Retreat during a pilot disembarkation from the Ken El in heavy weather and icing, with the captain's death documented and the date carried in the USCG shipwreck list (1989-2004). The December 1, 1995 date is the better-documented figure; the DANFS January date appears to be an entry error or a different event convention, and its chain is hedged 'Purportedly.' Carried as an unresolved conflict - both dates disclosed.

   Verification

   partial

   Role

   correction

   Documentation level

   ship_specific

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1995

   Limitations

   Flags a conflict between the official Navy history and USCG-derived secondary records rather than silently adopting one. The underlying USCG casualty investigation file (if any) was not retrieved - the December date rests on USCG-derived compilations, not the primary document. Not an asbestos record.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-07

9. [9]Era inference built on the vessel's own documented characteristics (1941 build, steel hull, GM EMD 567 diesel-electric - DANFS/NavSource; acquired-type class per Shipscribe/USNAUX) cross-referenced against general shipbuilding-era materials practice for motor tugs [other_primary]

   Locator

   vessel characteristic rows ev-01, ev-02, ev-04, ev-05

   Finding type

   asbestos_application

   Finding

   Class/era inference only: Allaquippa was a steel-hulled, diesel-electric harbor tug built in 1941 to a commercial order (General Motors Corp.) and purchased by the Navy before completion - construction-era and 32-year Navy service squarely inside the documented Navy asbestos-use era. Era-standard asbestos applications aboard a harbor tug of this type and period were diesel-exhaust and machinery lagging, gaskets, valve packing, and electrical/joiner insulation in her small enclosed spaces. She carried no steam plant - the boiler/steam-line lagging pathway of steam vessels does not apply, but machinery-space and accommodation-area asbestos materials were nonetheless standard for 1941 marine construction.

   Verification

   inferred

   Role

   supporting

   Documentation level

   class_or_era

   Accessed

   2026-10-05

   Study period

   1941-1995

   Population

   Gulfport yard trades (1941); Navy crews and district-yard maintainers (1941-1973); merchant crews (1976-1995)

   Limitations

   Era inference only - no hull-specific insulation survey, material list, work order, or abatement record located for YT-174/YTB-174/YTM-174. Additional caveat: she was built to a commercial order, not a Navy specification, and her insulating fit-out reflects 1941 commercial tug practice - the inference is no stronger than that base. Names era-standard applications, not confirmed installed materials, quantity, or condition; the hull was lost at sea in 1995, so no physical survey is possible. Does not establish individual exposure or causation.

   Atlas source

   true

   Evidence ID

   ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-08

10. [10]Batch-9314 search ledger (this record) [other_primary]

    Locator

    search_ledger rows sl-uss-allaquippa-yt174-01 through -17

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    No qualifying ship-specific asbestos record located: no asbestos survey, abatement contract, hazmat disclosure, or verified litigation naming USS Allaquippa (YT-174/YTB-174/YTM-174) was found in the public sources searched. CourtListener base queries completed via the authenticated fleet-paced helper: 'Allaquippa' = 0 opinions / 0 dockets; 'YT-174' = 90 opinions and 6,375 dockets, all first-page hits classified as name collisions (statute/page/docket-number tokens, trademark and civil dockets) with zero vessel references. The only 'asbestos aboard' material is law-firm marketing content (gorilaw.com tug listicle) asserting asbestos without primary sourcing - excluded by source policy.

    Verification

    verified

    Role

    negative_finding

    Documentation level

    ship_specific

    Accessed

    2026-10-05

    Study period

    2026-10-05

    Limitations

    Absence of a located public record does not prove absence of asbestos aboard - a 1941 steel motor tug in 32 years of Navy district service is era-consistent with asbestos-containing materials having been present or applied during upkeep. The 'Allaquippa' zero-hit result is a genuine repository negative (the name is distinctive); the 'YT-174' overflow is collision noise and is bounded by the asbestos-qualified variant rows (sl-16/-17). Any litigation arising from the 1995 Tongass casualty would index under Keso/Tongass/Ken El, not the Navy hull name - none surfaced in the web sweep. Does not establish presence or absence, quantity, or any individual's exposure or legal eligibility.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-09

11. [11]NARA Guide to Federal Records: RG 181 (Naval Districts and Shore Establishments), RG 19 (Bureau of Ships), RG 80-G (General Photographic File); USCG vessel documentation/casualty files for ON 575676 [other_primary]

    Locator

    archives.gov record-group descriptions; NARA catalog NAID for 80-G-35636 unfetchable (JS-rendered catalog)

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    Archival leads (not retrieved - require research-room or reproduction order; no spend authorized): NARA RG 80-G holds the original negative/file for photo 80-G-35636 (January 1943 net-laying, Long Island Sound); NARA RG 24 deck logs for YT-174/YTB-174/YTM-174 (1941-1973) are undigitized; RG 181 (Records of Naval Districts and Shore Establishments) holds 3d/1st/5th Naval District craft records - the plausible repository for any Allaquippa-specific work, crew, or maintenance documentation; RG 19 (Bureau of Ships) holds YT-class hull files. On the casualty side: the USCG marine-casualty investigation file for the 1 December 1995 Tongass sinking (if retained) and the USCG/NVDC documentation file under Official No. 575676 are the primary-document leads for the post-Navy identity and loss record.

    Verification

    unverified

    Role

    archival_lead

    Documentation level

    context_only

    Accessed

    2026-10-05

    Study period

    1941-1995 records

    Limitations

    Record-group mapping only - no box-level retrieval performed; whether any Allaquippa-specific file, work order, or materials record exists is unknown until surveyed in person. Nothing in this row is an asbestos finding.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-10

12. [12]U.S. General Accounting Office, report HRD-80-2 (product page) [gao]

    Locator

    gao.gov product page for HRD-80-2

    Finding type

    historical_record

    Finding

    GAO report HRD-80-2 (program-level review of Navy asbestos-exposure and removal policy, circa 1979-80) is a known lead for Navy-wide asbestos-era program context but could not be retrieved this session.

    Verification

    unverified

    Role

    archival_lead

    Documentation level

    context_only

    Accessed

    2026-10-05

    Study period

    circa 1979-80

    Limitations

    gao.gov returned HTTP 403 to automated fetch on 2026-10-05 (standing defect noted in prior batches: BATCH-01/BATCH-98/BATCH-9293). Full text not reached; nothing from this report is asserted as fact in this record. Program-level even if retrieved - would not become a hull-specific finding for a district harbor tug.

    Atlas source

    true

    Evidence ID

    ev-uss-allaquippa-yt174-11