The USS Sagamore (AT-20) was a Bagaduce-class fleet tug that served in the United States Navy from 1917 to 1946. Built as a steel-hulled, ocean-going tug, she was originally laid down as Commanche (SP-3296) on 24 May 1917 by the Buffalo Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, New York, under a War Shipping Board contract. The vessel was renamed Sagamore on 30 October 1917, launched in November of the same year, and transferred to the Navy on 5 December 1917. She was officially commissioned on 8 June 1918 at the Boston Navy Yard. Designed as a fleet tug, Sagamore was designated AT-20 on 17 July 1920. Throughout her service, she primarily performed routine duties along the New England coast. Notably, in March 1928, she participated in the salvage operation of the sunken submarine S-4. For her role in this significant rescue effort, her commanding officer, Chief Boatswain George Cregan, a Medal of Honor recipient, was awarded the Navy Cross. In her operational history, Sagamore was reclassified as ATO-20 (Fleet Tug Old) on 14 May 1944. She continued in service until she was decommissioned on 31 August 1946 at the New York Navy Yard in Brooklyn, New York. She was struck from the Naval Register on 28 January 1947 and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal. Following her naval career, Sagamore was sold on 24 December 1947 to Hughes Brothers of New York City for $11,327. In 1948, she was acquired by McAllister Brothers Towing and renamed John E. McAllister. The vessel was eventually scrapped in 1953 in Baltimore, Maryland. Her service history highlights her role in routine fleet operations and a notable rescue mission, reflecting her importance as a versatile fleet auxiliary during her two decades of naval service.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.