Tugboat of the United States Navy
The second USS "Choctaw was a yard tug in the United States Navy from the Spanish–American War to World War II. She was renamed USS "Wicomico in 1918.
USS "Choctaw".
A steam tug built at Philadelphia by Neafie &amp; Levy as "C.G. Coyle", she was completed in 1892. Acquired by the Navy from W.G. Coyle Co. for service during the Spanish–American War, the tug was renamed "Choctaw" and commissioned on 19 April 1898.
Attached to the Auxiliary Naval Force for patrol duty during the brief war with Spain, "Choctaw" operated in the Gulf of Mexico through the cessation of hostilities. That same year, on 26 August, she was decommissioned at the Pensacola Navy Yard. Recommissioned the following year on 15 June, "Choctaw" sailed for Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with USS "Monongahela" in tow, before reporting to the naval training station at Newport, Rhode Island for duty as a yard tug and ferry. Subsequently detached and sent to the Norfolk Navy Yard for repairs, the ship was again placed out of commission on 15 July 1902.
Placed back in active service in 1904, "Choctaw" served at the Washington Navy Yard through World War I. She was renamed "Wicomico" on 20 February 1918.
USS "Wicomico" (YT-26).
On Memorial Day (30 May) 1918, "Wicomico" took part in a memorial ceremony, sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution, for all victims of World War I who died at sea, particularly victims of the sinking of RMS "Lusitania". A floral wreath was thrown into the Potomac from "Wicomico"'s deck. The former Vanderbilt steam yacht HMS "Warrior" also took part in the ceremony.
On 17 July 1920 "Wicomico" was designated YT-26. Transferred to the Norfolk Navy Yard on 21 April 1921, she served in the 5th Naval District through the outbreak of World War II.
On 15 February 1940, "Wicomico" collided with the destroyer USS "Goff" in Hampton Roads and sank shortly thereafter. Struck from the Navy list on 27 February 1940, the ship was salvaged and subsequently scrapped.
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