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Powhatan (T-ATF 166) Class: Photographs

These photographs were selected to show the original configuration of this class and major subsequent modifications. For more views see the former NHHC (now Hyperwar) Online Library of Selected Images and the NavSource Photo Archive.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

The FY 1967 ATF

Artist's rendering from the publicity brochure for the FY 1967 program, dated 15 June 1966

Photo No. None
Source: Shipscribe

  Artist's rendering of the FY 1967 ATF
USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166)

Photographed on 17 June 1980 at the Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., by Charles N. Dragonette. The white building behind the ship's bow is the Navy Department Museum, formerly a gun factory. The memorial submarine sail is from USS Balao (SS-285).

Photo No. NH 91875
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

  USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166) on 17 June 1980
USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169)

A direct stern view taken by the builder on 6 June 1980 during trials a week before commissioning.

Photo No. None
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

  USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169) on 6 June 1980
USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171)

Photographed by her builder on 3 April 1981 during trials.

Photo No. None
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)

  USNS Sioux (T-ATF 171) on 3 April 1981
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

Preparing in August 1982 to tow the battleship IOWA (BB-61) from the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard to Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss for modernization and reactivation.

Photo No. DN-ST-83-04783
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) in August 1982
USNS Narragansett (T-ATF 167)

Participating on 17 September 1983 in salvage operations in the Sea of Japan for downed Korean Air Lines Flight 007 (KAL-007) watched by Soviet ships including the Large Antisubmarine Ship (BPK) Petropavlosk and the Border Patrol Ship (PSKR) Imeni XXV syezda KPSS (L to R behind her). Note the special equipment on her working deck, aft. The Boeing 747 was shot down by a Soviet air defense fighter over Sakhalin Island on 30 August 1983 killing all 269 persons on board.

Photo No. DN-ST-89-02962
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Narragansett (T-ATF 167) on 17 September 1983
USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166)

Moored on 5 October 1983 at the Naval Amphibious Base, Little Creek, Va. Photo by Don S. Montgomery, USN (Ret.)

Photo No. DN-ST-86-04112
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Powhatan (T-ATF 166) on 5 October 1983
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

Delivering the destroyer Barry (DD-933) (tip of bow visible) on 15 October 1983 to the Washington Navy Yard in the Anacostia River for use as a display ship. Photo by Charles R. Haberlein (Navy Photo Curator).

Photo No. DN-ST-84-04837
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) on 15 October 1983
USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

Towing two barges near Subic Bay on 1 August 1987 while carrying an orange target sled on deck.

Photo No. DN-ST-93-01080
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) on 1 August 1987
USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169)

Helping refloat USS White Plains (AFS 4) at Guam on 1 September 1992 after Typhoon Omar on 28 August 1992 broke the AFS from her moorings and blew her across Apra Harbor, dragging her anchor until she grounded on Polaris Point.

Photo No. DN-SN-93-00087
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

  USNS Navajo (T-ATF 169) on 1 September 1992
USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170)

Descending the Potomac River shortly after departing the Washington Navy Yard on 25 May 2000. Photo by Don S. Montgomery, USN (Ret.)

Photo No. DN-SC-02-05604
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

  USNS Mohawk (T-ATF 170) on 25 May 2000
USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168)

Sailors from the visit, board, search, and seizure team assigned to the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72) conducting compliant boarding training on 19 November 2008 aboard Catawba in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Photo No. 081119-N-XX999-050
Source: www.msc.usff.navy.mil/Press-Room/Photo-Gallery

  USNS Catawba (T-ATF 168) on 19 November 2008
Commercial Tug Narragansett

In US Navy contract service with Donjon Marine Co. on 26 March 2015 towing ex-USS Tripoli (LPH-10) through the Panama Canal out of the Gaillard Cut into Gatun Lake.

Photo No. None
Source: NavSource

  Tug Narragansett on 26 March 2015
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

Getting underway on 5 August 2016 from Virginia Beach for Little Creek to support the National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the loss of the merchant container ship El Faro. Note the vans belonging to the Navy's Superintendant of Salvage on the after deck.

Photo No. 160805-N-OH262-178
Source: www.navy.mil/Resources/Photo-Gallery, also MSC gallery

  USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) on 5 August 2016
USNS Apache (T-ATF 172)

Towing the amphibious dock landing ship ex-Fort McHenry (LSD 43) on 16 April 2021, the date on which the LSD was stricken, from the Naval Station at Mayport, Fla. to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.

Photo No. 210416-N-AC165-0020
Source: www.navy.mil/Resources/Photo-Gallery

  USNS Apache (T-ATF 172) on 16 April 2021