NAFTS Guestbook

Apoligize for the site being down for most of the weekend. It was server problems and out of our control. Note that the guest book has been updated to a new version. The Spammers were catching up to the old one. Enjoy

ENJOYED READING COMMENTS IN GUEST BOOK BUT DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO REVIEW THEM ALL TODAY. BUT REAL INTERESTING. MY MB NO 1264

.ROGER,I recieved your MAIL.My address is 2938 center pt. rd.N.E. cedar rapids IA. 52402

I just found this site and am looking for some of my old tug mates I served on the YTB 779 Manhatten from 2/66-9/67. I would enjoy hearing from anybody who served on the 779

Was aboard the USS Munsee ATF107 1960-1961 road her to WESPAC before being transfered to USS Surfbird ADG383. It would be good to hear from anyone who served at the same time....Bruce Pease are you out there? Thanks for a great web site.

I have just joined NAFTS and with the help of RODGER DANA I have already been in contact with two of my old shipmates. It has been forty two years since I saw any of my shipmates. I hope to find many more through NAFTS. Thanks for such a good and efficient organization. CHARLIE PENDLETON

G'day All I am looking for information on a Chrysler twin tug that was used during WW2. I have been trying to track it down for many years. How can I post a picture of on this web site? I have an assembly manual in PDF and the original is in The Australian Maritime Museum which was donated by a good friend of mine. His father was in WW2 but the family did not know if this manual until after he died. I hope some one can help Cheers John Quigley

I am proud to have served on The original U S S Grasp ARS 24, from 1967 to 1969. I am glade to say that I am still in contact with my Capt. and XO.. Wish I could find some more shipmates. Would Like to hear from Jackson..Are you out there ?

Very nice site for tug sailors to reunite. I am an army veteran trying assist a Navy tug veteran veteran friend who served on the U.S.S. A.T.R. 8 which was in New York in Feb of 1947. He showed me a photo of their crew taken February 21, 1947. He would be interested in hearing from anyone who was also assigned to that crew then or relatives of them. Enjoyed looking through all the memories and comments.

ARMY'S LT454 68/69 CREW.

I was a radioman aboard the USS Escape ARS-6 from late 1968 to Dec. 1971. Just interested in trying to find any old shipmates from that era.

Hello fellow Tuggers. I've been aware of this site for several years now, and finally feel compelled to join-in. Thanks for being here. I served aboard the USS Molala (ATF-106) in 1977-78. I was one of her decommissioning crew that also took her on her last West-Pac, Equator crossing and two TTPI's (remember them???). Watch for a new (second) version of the Mighty MO's ships patch.

great site I served in San Diego service craft craft electrician 1968 - 1970 EMFA - EM2 YTM 405 YTM 772 YTM 374 Jerry St.Hilaire CPO USNR-ret

My Grandfather served on the USS Sabeata, YTB 287 from 1944 to 1946. He rode out the Typhoon under Admiral Halsey's command. My dad and I would LOVE to hear from anyone who was on the ship with him- Irl V. Everett Jr. Or anyone who remembers him.

Served aboard , ABNAKI(ATF-96) 1967-1970,GRASP(ARS-24) 1972-1974.Both great duty.

My dad was on the ATR-34 at the end of WW II. He was a GMG3. He was talking about his time on the tug and taking care of the 3" 50 on the bow so I thought I would look up some info. The site I found led me here. My dad is Harley "Mac" McDougal. He is 81 years old and has some short term memory problems, but he enjoyed talking about the old times when I saw him this past Christmas (09). He says he was based in Japan just after the war and remembers the big typhoon at that time. He also mentioned having to go out into the harbor and bring the battleship Nagato back around when she got out of position, there being too few mooring buoys to tie all the ships up properly. He spoke of being based at "Yokasuka" but I don't know if that was at the same time and place as the Nagato. ATR-34 was decommissioned in 1946 and my dad was on the decommissioning crew. He was discharged at Memphis TN July 3, 1946 and married my mom nine days later. By the way, if you did the math, he lied about his age to join the navy. When they figured it out, they offered to discharge him and he chose to stay in. Just thought I would share a little history and wondered if there were some old veterans out there who might have been on the same ship. I tell my dad how proud I am of him, but he just waves it off. We're proud of all you veterans. Jim McDougal

Stumbled accross your web site after seeing a bumper sticker on a truck ahead of me during the commute home from work. After browsing the site I have to ask.... can I get a bumper sticker? I have never served in the military, I hold high reguards for those who have. Thanks in advance, Tim Sutton

Stumbled on this site looking for some intel on USS Takelma ATF113 to share with my grown sons. Served aboard her '75-'79 in Pearl, San Diego and, as we all know, one of those wonderful WestPac cruises. In touch with several shipmates, and we have threatened to work on a reunion. NAFTS looks like a great way to find and reconnect on a much bigger scale. Would love to hear from any Takelma shipmates that may already be members!

Looking for anyone who was on the Hopi ATF71 during Operation Mariner Sept 53 in the north Atlantic when she came along side my ship the USS Caloosahatchee AO 98 for fuel and ended up hitting us. We were also hit by a DD in the fan tail. I think the Hopi lost its port anchor and some railing. Please e-mail me at robertenglund2@hotmail.com 🙂

Any shipmates around that was on USS Tawasa ATF-92 during the Westpac cruise 68, specifically 3 June when we diverted to tow the aft end of the Frank E. Evans DD 754 after collision with HMAS Melbourne to Subic Bay.

thames tugs recomended this site to me, i am looking for any imformation , about h m s nimble,w 1 2 3, for a former crew member,any record would be very welcome. regards tony calvert.

It is with sadness that just a few moments ago I learned the passing of Theodore C. Mason, WW2 crewman of the USS Pawnee and a writer of his wartime experiences. I've read two of the three books, ("Battleship Sailor" & "We Will Stand By You&quot and besides finding his story a good read, Mr Mason came across to me as a down-to-earth, fair-minded, very decent kind of guy of strong opinions. May he rest in peace. Mr Mason's books have, in a their way, brought out of some obscurity, perhaps, the important and interesting world of salvage operations. I wonder if the "Liverpool bridle" is still employed. :c) I liked the ending of one book where Mr Mason says of his work: "It is better to save than destroy". Anyhow, keep up the good work. :c) I wonder what happened to Yvonne Leckie. P.S. I served in the Royal Navy.

I served aboard the Shakori ATF-162 from 1965-1966 before discharge in Subis Bay Phillipines,looking for crewmates at that time,especially carman.Best Tug I was ever on,the Muggs, deck hand. Towing a salvage liftcraft (barge) from Scotland to Vietnam.I have tried for years to catch up with some of the crew,so if any of you guys know me,get in touch,Bob from Boston.

Served aboard the USS Paiute (ATF-159) Mayport FL 1962-1963 as a PN3 in the Ship's office. The Paiute was the only ATF between Mayport, Key West and Panama (another homeport of the Paiute) so we were kept busy with towing to Gytmo and all the target towing for the greyhounds out of Mayport, etc. Many many stories are with this ATF! Glad I came across your site!

I just found this site ,it is great. It thrilled me to see CHOWANOC ATF 100. Jest the name does something for me. I was a plank owner put her in commision. Served 43 To46 GM 2nd.