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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

Oswegatchie (YTM-778)
ex
 Oswegatchie (YTB-515) (1945 - 1966)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

Oswegatchie (YTB-515) was transferred to Venezuela and renamed ARBVJose Felix Ribas (R-13)
Cholocco Class District Harbor Tug, Large:
  • Built by Commerical Iron Works, Portland, OR
  • Laid down, 13 August 1945
  • Launched, 24 October 1945
  • Delivered and placed in service, as Oswegatchie (YTB-515), 28 December 1945, LT(jg) David C. Richardson USN in charge
  • Initially allocated to the 13th Naval District.
  • Reallocated to the 14th Naval District at Pearl Harbor, January 1946
  • Assumed duties as harbor tug at Pearl, 17 February 1946
  • 29 June 1946 Oswegatchie began towing the self-propelled covered lighter YF-295 from Pearl Harbor to Astoria, OR, for lay up.
  • Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group, 02 August 1946
  • Reactivated and transferred under lease to Venezuela, renamed ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13), LT(jg) Reinaldo Ramírez Dala, Armada Bolivariana de Venezuela, commanding, June 1965
  • Redesignated District Harbor Tug, Medium YTM-778, March 1966
  • Struck from the Naval Register, date unknown
  • Renamed ARBV Fernando Gómez (RP-21), 1978
  • Placed out of service, circa 2004
  • Final Disposition, foundered at Puerto Cabello after 2008, wreck still present 2015
    Specifications:
    Displacement 218 tons (lt) 345 tons (fl)
    Length 100'
    Beam 26'
    Draft 9' 7"
    Speed 12 kts.
    Complement 10
    Armament two .50 cal machine gun
    Propulsion diesel, single screw
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Oswegatchie 108k Eleventh Naval District News Release, dated 28 May 1965, announcing the transfer of the large harbor tug Oswegatchie (YTB-515) to the Government of Venezuela, 3 June 1965, at Naval Station San Diego. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV-R13 Jose Felix Ribas 1965
    Oswegatchie 119k
    Oswegatchie 60k Pierside dignitaries and guests at the commissioning of ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) (ex-Oswegatchie (YTB-515)) into the Navy of Venezuela, 3 June 1965, at Naval Station San Diego. Note USS Polk County (LST-1084) moored astern of ex-Oswegatchie. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 839k Ex-Oswegatchie (YTB-515) being accepted into the Venezuelan Navy at Naval Station San Diego, 3 June 1965. as ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13). The officer with the flag is LTjg. Reinaldo Ramirez Dala the first "skipper". In the background is USS Paul Revere (APA-248) Pedro San Miguel, skipper Fernando Gomez 1985-1987
    Oswegatchie 55k Ex-Oswegatchie (YTB-515) being accepted into the Venezuelan Navy at Naval Station San Diego, 3 June 1965. as ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13). The officer with the flag is LTjg. Reinaldo Ramirez Dala the first "skipper". Note USS Polk County (LST-1084) moored astern of ex-Oswegatchie. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 56k ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13), moored pierside at Naval Station San Diego after being handed off to the Venezuelan Navy, 3 June 1965, at Naval Station San Diego, CA. Note USS Polk County (LST-1084) moored astern of ex-Oswegatchie. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 67k LTjg Reinaldo Ramirez VN, first skipper of ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13), San Diego, 3 June 1965. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 64k
    Oswegatchie 75k ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) crew photo, circa June 1965, Disneyland, CA. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 204k Various photos of ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) crew while in California in 1965. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 76k ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) moored pierside in 1968 at the Venezuela Naval Station in Puerto Cabello. CDR Reinaldo Ramirez (Rey) VN, skipper ARV Jose Felix Ribas (R-13) 1965
    Oswegatchie 55k ARV Fernando Gómez (RP-21) at sea as a unit of the Venezuelan Navy Coast Guard, circa 1991. Pedro San Miguel, skipper Fernando Gomez 1985-1987
    Oswegatchie 273k ARV Fernando Gómez (RP-21) at Puerto Cabello as a unit of the Venezuelan Navy Coast Guard, circa 2000. CDR Reinaldo Ramírez Dala, ABRV (Ret.)
    Oswegatchie 60k ARBV Fernando Gómez (RP-21) moored in the navy area of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 14 November, 2008. Photo by Captain Ted at Shipspotting.com Reinaldo Ramirez Dala
    Oswegatchie 254k ARV Fernando Gómez (RP-21) in a sunken condition at Puerto Cabello, 10 June 2015. Photo copyright Captain Ted, via shipspotting.com Dave Wright
    Oswegatchie (YTB-515 / YTM-778)
    DANFS history entry located at the US Naval History and Heritage Command
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    National Association of Fleet Tug Sailors
    Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page Back To The Yard and District Craft Photo Index Back To The District Harbor Tug, Large (YTB) Photo Index Back To The District Harbor Tug, Medium (YTM) Photo Index
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    This page was created by Gary P. Priolo and is maintained by David L. Wright
    All pages copyright NavSource Naval History
    Last Updated 13 October 2018