Tugboat of the United States Navy
USS "Mariner" (SP-1136) was a wooden-hulled tugboat for the United States Navy in World War I. She had previously been the "Jack T. Scully" of the Neptune Line of New York before her acquisition by the Navy. She foundered and sank in a gale on 26 February 1918 while part of a convoy steaming to Bermuda.
History.
"Mariner", formerly the steam tug "Jack T. Scully" of the Neptune Line, New York City, was built in 1899 by A. C. Brown, Tottenville, Staten Island, New York and had previously steamed between New York and Bangor, Maine. Considered “strongly built” and a “good sea boat” for potential employment as a minesweeper, "Mariner" was delivered to the Navy on 25 September 1917. Earmarked “for distant service” on 1 October 1917 and given the designation SP-1136, she was commissioned at the New York Navy Yard, Brooklyn, New York, on 19 December 1917. The Navy spent $3,000 refitting the tug for naval service.
Initially, "Mariner" performed routine duty at the New York Navy Yard and in the waters of New York harbor. Following that period of local work, she got underway on 6 February 1918 in company with converted yachts and , bound for New London, Connecticut. The little convoy proceeded uneventfully until increasingly heavy ice floes began to impede their progress. "Mariner" took "Wadena" in tow, getting her through one congested area and then dropping the tow when clear. When "Wadena" again ran into difficulty, "Mariner" took the yacht in tow, until forced to stop ("Yacona" then took "Wadena" in tow for a time) when the ice in Long Island Sound smashed in some of her timbers, compelling Lt.(jg) Miller to order the tug beached at New London to facilitate repairs. Once again seaworthy, "Mariner" steamed up Narragansett Bay to the coaling station at Melville, Rhode Island, where she helped "Yacona" get underway for Newport during the afternoon watch on 23 February, then proceeded to assist the section patrol boat that had suffered a fire at Melville later that same day. "Mariner" then shifted to Newport.
"Mariner" got underway for Bermuda on 24 February 1918 in company with "Yacona" and "Wadena", the tug , eleven submarine chasers, and the French tug "Mohican". As the convoy worked its way down the eastern seaboard, however, "Mariner" fell farther behind. She briefly towed the submarine chaser before the tug herself began to founder in the heavy southwesterly gale that sprang up on 26 February. Her seams opened to the sea by the pounding of the waves, her pumps failed; rising water doused the fires under her boilers and rendered her helpless.
Consequently, "Mariner" hoisted the breakdown flag shortly before noon and cast loose "SC-177". Shortly thereafter, the crew of "Mariner" signaled that they were sinking fast. "Wadena" stood by to render assistance, in rough and high seas. After embarking two groups of "Mariner"’s crew from life rafts, "Wadena" sprayed oil on the water to calm the seas, and then brought on board the rest of the tug's complement from three more rafts. The last group—which included Lt. (jg.) Miller, "Mariner"’s commanding officer—had abandoned the tug with its decks awash, and reached "Wadena"’s side at around 17:30. Abandoned, "Mariner" sank sometime after 21:45 that day at approximately .
While the rest of the convoy continued on its passage, "Wadena" retrieved "SC-177" and ultimately reached the British naval station at Hamilton, Bermuda, on 1 March 1918.
"Mariner" was stricken from the Navy Register on 8 March 1918.
Notes.
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