The USS Navajo (AT-52) was a fleet tug constructed in 1907 by Neafie & Levy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was purchased by the United States Navy on November 21, 1907, and commissioned on March 17, 1908, as Fleet Tug No. 52. The vessel was primarily assigned to Pearl Harbor, where she operated throughout her naval career within the Hawaiian Islands. Her duties included towing and docking operations, essential for the maintenance and logistics of the Pacific Fleet. In 1920, she was reclassified as AT-52, reflecting her role as a fleet tug. One notable incident occurred in 1922 when Water Barge No. 10, while being towed by Navajo, collided with the submarine R-16 (SS-93). The collision caused the barge to sink rapidly due to a hole in her bow. Demonstrating bravery and skill, crew members from Navajo successfully rescued the barge’s three-man crew amidst the chaos. The USS Navajo was decommissioned and struck from the Navy List on April 24, 1937. However, she was later restored to the list as IX–56 on January 14, 1942, during World War II. During the war, she served in a decommissioned status at the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor until she was placed in active service on March 15, 1942. Throughout the war, Navajo continued operations in the 14th Naval District, supporting wartime logistics and harbor activities. Following the end of World War II, the vessel was struck from the Navy List on February 9, 1946. She was sold for scrap to the Commercial Equipment Co. on November 23, 1948. The USS Navajo’s long service life, spanning from the early 20th century through World War II, highlights her significance as a reliable workhorse in the naval fleet, particularly within the Pacific theater.

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