Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Tangier

Ships of Pearl Harbor: USS Tangier holds a unique place in naval history, playing a crucial role during the infamous attack on December 7, 1941. Originally built as a cargo ship for the United States Maritime Commission in 1939, she was later converted into a seaplane tender and commissioned into the U.S. Navy as USS Tangier (AV-8) on August 25, 1941.

After completing her shakedown cruise, Tangier was assigned to Patrol Wing 2 in Hawaii. Arriving in Pearl Harbor just over a month before the attack, she was moored astern of USS Utah (BB-31/AG-16). Unbeknownst to her crew, they were about to witness one of the most devastating moments in American history.

On the morning of December 7, 1941, USS Tangier was still stationed near Utah when the first wave of Japanese aircraft descended upon Pearl Harbor. The Utah, having been converted from a battleship to a target ship, quickly took heavy torpedo damage and capsized. Despite the chaos, Tangier miraculously remained unharmed.

Within minutes of the first explosions, Tangier’s crew was ordered to general quarters. Her gunners sprang into action, firing at the incoming aircraft with precision. By the end of the attack, they had successfully downed three enemy planes and helped neutralize a Japanese midget submarine that had infiltrated the harbor.

During the battle, one of Tangier’s PBY-5 Catalina seaplanes was on a search mission when it encountered nine Japanese Mitsubishi Zero fighters. Despite being outmatched, the Catalina’s pilot skillfully maneuvered the aircraft and managed to land safely, evading destruction. Once the attack subsided, Tangier’s crew focused on rescue efforts, assisting survivors from the doomed Utah.

In the immediate aftermath of Pearl Harbor, Japan set its sights on Wake Island. Tangier was loaded with crucial supplies and ammunition and joined a relief convoy led by the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (CV-3). However, before they could reach their destination, Wake Island’s defenders were overwhelmed, forcing Tangier and her fleet to return to Oahu.

Following this mission, USS Tangier was deployed to New Caledonia, where she replaced USS Curtiss (AV-4) as the primary seaplane tender for six PBY Catalinas.

These aircraft played a vital role in conducting long-range reconnaissance missions over the Pacific. As the Battle of the Coral Sea loomed, Tangier received six additional seaplanes to bolster U.S. search capabilities.

Although Tangier’s aircraft did not directly engage Japanese forces during the battle, they played a crucial role in search and rescue efforts. Following the sinking of USS Sims (DD-409) and USS Neosho (AO-23) due to mistaken Japanese attacks, Tangier’s crew worked tirelessly to recover survivors. After completing this operation, Tangier resumed her reconnaissance duties until Curtiss relieved her on June 20, 1942. She then returned to the U.S. West Coast for an extensive overhaul that lasted until early 1943.

For the remainder of 1943, USS Tangier played a logistical role, transporting essential equipment between the U.S. mainland and Espiritu Santo. Later that year, she completed multiple voyages between Pearl Harbor, American Samoa, and San Diego before undergoing another overhaul in November. This maintenance period lasted until February 21, 1944, after which Tangier resumed operations, traveling to Brisbane, Australia.

After a brief stay in Brisbane, she was reassigned to New Guinea, where she provided critical support for General Douglas MacArthur’s forces. On September 21, 1944, Tangier supported the invasion of Morotai, ensuring U.S. forces had the aerial capabilities needed for success.

While Tangier did not participate in direct combat, her contribution to World War II was invaluable. As a seaplane tender, she played a key role in long-range reconnaissance and search missions, which were instrumental in tracking enemy movements and supporting Allied operations.

With the war drawing to a close, USS Tangier continued her service until March 22, 1946, when she sailed back to the United States. She made a brief stop at Pearl Harbor before proceeding to Philadelphia for decommissioning. On June 1, 1961, after two decades of dedicated service, USS Tangier was officially removed from the Naval Vessel Register.

Though often overshadowed by larger warships, USS Tangier’s resilience and contributions during and after the attack on Pearl Harbor solidify her place in history as an essential component of the U.S. Navy’s Pacific operations. Her role in search missions, rescue operations, and wartime logistics demonstrates the vital importance of seaplane tenders in naval warfare.