Opelika (YTB-798)

Opelika (YTB-798)

Kittanning (YTB-787) and Opelika assist the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) away from the pier at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (CFAY).
History
United States
Ordered	15 June 1967
Builder	Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin
Laid down	23 February 1968
Launched	21 August 1968
Acquired	30 January 1969
Stricken	2 February 2015
Fate	Disposed through the General Services Administration
General characteristics
Class and type	Natick-class large harbor tug
Displacement	283 long tons (288 t) (light) 356 long tons (362 t) (full)
Length	109 ft (33 m)
Beam	31 ft (9.4 m)
Draft	14 ft (4.3 m)
Speed	12 knots (14 mph; 22 km/h)
Complement	12
Armament	None

Opelika (YTB–798) was a United States Navy Natick-class large harbor tug named for Opelika, Alabama.

Construction

The contract for Opelika was awarded 15 June 1967. She was laid down on 23 February 1968 at Marinette, Wisconsin, by Marinette Marine and launched 21 August 1968.

Opelika at Yokosuka, Japan

Operational history

Opelika was delivered to the Navy 30 January 1968 for service at the Naval Station Subic Bay, Philippines. She continued busy operations there until that base closed in 1992. She was transferred to Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan. She was struck from the naval register in February 2015.

References

•  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
•  This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.

External links

• Photo gallery of Opelika (YTB-798) at NavSource Naval History