Tugboat USS Nokomis YT-142 [3D, 1:100] Pearl Harbor 1941

[Iceman 29]

Tugboat USS Nokomis YT-142, December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor 1941

 

This 1/100 model was made from scratch by myself. Documentation was not easy to find.

 

I started this project with a rather succinct plan of the torques and the water lines of the hull in order to model it in 3D. It was not easy because of the low resolution of the plan. At the beginning this project was planned for a 1/350 scale. 

 

But the result was really exciting, so I decided to continue and to realize a model in 1/100, my scale of preference with the 1/200. 

 

Other plans were more complete, allowing me to continue the design of this historical ship. Thanks to Roland for his documentary contributions. A good documentation is essential for a serene realization.

 

Thanks to Bernard Huc for his 3D help on the "Tug pudding", the front fender of the tug.

 

It was a real pleasure of creation and assembly. 

 

My most successful 3D project so far.

 

The design subject that lasted several months here: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History:

 

USS Nokomis (YT-142/YTB-142/YTM-142) was a Woban class harbor tug built in Charleston, South Carolina in 1939-40. 

 

General characteristics

 

Class and type Woban class

Type: District port tug
Displacement: 218 tons
Length: 100' 10" ( 30,5 mt )
Width: 25' ( 7,62 mt )
Draft: 9' 7" (3 mt)

Propulsion: Double Enterprise Diesel electric, single propeller
Speed: 12 knots
Crew: 8 members

 

 

 

 

He was assigned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1940. 

 

 

The Nokomis was present during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 

 

She was the first ship on the scene to assist the USS Arizona, and left the area due to the impending explosion of the battery below deck. It was then assisted to ground the USS Nevada, with the Hoga (YT-146), and the YT-153. 

 

December 7, 1941, just minutes after the attack was over:

 

 

The grounding of the Nevada prevented the blocking of the entrance to Pearl Harbor. Then the USS Nokomis fought the fires and dried out the battleship USS California for three days. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This effort made the California salvageable, to be put back into service later in the war. The Nokomis was also the last ship to move the surviving YC-699 barge before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. 

 

 

The Nokomis accompanying the CV-8 Hornet returning to Pearl Harbor after its raid on Tokyo

 

 

After the war, the Nokomis continued to serve the Pearl Harbor ships until she was de-commissioned in May 1973 and then sold to Crowley, San Francisco. She was renamed Sea Serpent and served for many years in San Francisco Bay as a tug and pump boat. 

 

 

In 1989, after the Loma Prieta earthquake in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Nokomis and the Hoga (which had served the City of Oakland as a fireboat) again fought fires alongside each other.

 

The Nokomis was renamed Panamanian and abandoned, like many other tugs, to decay and rust.

 

It was rediscovered in mid-2002, in the mud flats of Hunters Point, San Francisco, by tugboat captain Melissa Parker. It was purchased at an auction for $50 to benefit the Historic Tugboat Education and Restoration Society (HTERS) and was originally moored at Pier 80 in San Francisco.

 

The 501 nonprofit organization was dedicated to historical research, hands-on engineering education programs for disadvantaged Bay Area youth, and cooperative programs among historic ship organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond. 

 

 

 

HTERS acquired an operational sister tug, the USS Wenonah, with the intention of using the Wenonah as a floating class to generate interest in HTERS to help raise funds to restore the Nokomis. 

 

After falling behind on dock rental fees, the two tugs were moved to Treasure Island, but dock rental and insurance fees continued to accrue, eventually costing the Historic Tugboat Education and Restoration Society both vessels.

 

Sinking of the Wenonah (Sister Ship)

 

 

The Wenonah was turned over to the Coast Guard for disposal, and Bay Ship & Yacht in Alameda took over the lease of Pier 1 at Treasure Island, which included taking possession of the Wenonah and Nokomis. Both vessels were scrapped in 2010 in Alameda.

 

The Wenonah was a sister ship to the Hoga. It would have been a great resource of parts to restore it. The Nokomis was the oldest surviving naval vessel from the Pearl Harbor attack. 

 

The barge YC-699 in SF Bay and the tug YT-153 on the East Coast, along with the Hoga, are now the last surviving naval vessels from Pearl Harbor.

 

http://www.runcornmodelboats.co.uk/USS_Hoga.html

 

Some photos of this beautiful, typically American tug in 1/100 scale.

 

Thank you all for your encouragement throughout this exciting project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Nokomis' display case completed in February 2023:

 

 

 

 

[longshanks]

A wonderful boat full of character beautifully portrayed 

 

Kev

 

[Dancona]

Pascal old chap, that is absolutely beautiful, I think that you are going to have to start a maritime museum, fascinating backstory as well 

[Alpha Delta 210]

Astoundingly beautiful tribute to such a valiant little vessel. Her story is incredible, but ultimately sad. She would have made a great addition to the other historic ships in San Francisco. 

[robgizlu]

Superbly finished and weathered.  I agree - absolutely Beautiful 

Tres tres Belle.

Rob

[Courageous]

What they ⬆️ all said. Great work, love the weathering.

[beefy66]

Another stunning one off build Pascal and a very interesting history of such a hard working boat  👍

 

Stay Safe 

beefy 

[Maginot]

That's a superb looking model. I've always liked the lines of traditional tug boats since I was a child.

[Brian Derbyshire]

Bit special , Pity some one with money and vision could,nt save the real thing.

Cheers Brian.

[Norseman 3:16]

Gorgeous work!!!   Well done Sir!

[Bertie McBoatface]

That has to be the most interesting maritime RFI that I've ever seen. It's a lovely model and the historical background was fascinating. Such a shame that it couldn't be preserved.

[Toryu]

Such a beautiful model with a 'grande histoire'. Excellent modelling, unsurpassable!

[Iceman 29]

Thank you all for your appreciation, it makes me very happy and it motivates me for my new project. 
 

 

[Kevin Aris]

i love that, excellent work

[Corsairfoxfouruncle]

Impressive work on this. Oddly enough I grew up near a Lake Nokomis in Wisconsin. I wonder if this is named after that lake ? 

 

https://www.lake-link.com/wisconsin-lakes/lincoln/lake-nokomis/2275/

Edited September 13, 2022 by Corsairfoxfouruncle

[dnl42]

Most excellent work! 

[bissyboat]

Charming tugboat. ⚓👍

[David Patterson]

Iceman,

[email protected] if you can please email me with your reply of a few weeks ago. 
I’m having trouble finding your reply on britmodeller. Thank you very much.

David

[RC Boater Bill]

On 3/7/2022 at 3:33 PM, Iceman 29 said:

The Nokomis was the oldest surviving naval vessel from the Pearl Harbor attack. 

Terrific model- you really captured the look of a hard-working tug!  

A bunch of my friends have 1/96 scale RC warships-   Nokomis would be a great addition! 

 

One minor note—  The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Taney is the oldest surviving naval vessel from the Pearl Harbor attack.   Taney entered service in 1936.  The USCG was put under Navy Control in November of 1941.   Taney was one of the ships used to patrol the approaches to Pearl Harbor. (USS Aaron Ward was on duty that fateful morning.)   Taney was moored at the Honolulu Power plant, she opened fire from there as the planes flew over…

 

I know all this because I have a 1/96 scale fiberglass hull for the Secretary-class Cutters, and am going to do Taney in her Pearl Harbor configuration…..  and Taney is now a museum ship in Baltimore, Maryland, where the ship is proclaimed to be the “Pearl Harbor Survivor”.

 

But now I’ll need a Nokomis too— your model will be a great reference!!

 

Thanks for sharing it here!

 

-Bill

 

 

Edited March 25 by RC Boater Bill
for clarity, and to fix typos

[S-boat 55]

You're built a truly beautiful model there, wonderfully finished! What a fascinating history as well, she certainly worked hard her whole life! 

 

Tugs always make.me.smile, nothing on them seems.square, everything is round or undulating and they're truly unique as a result, 

 

A top notch build, simply top notch! 

[theskits62]

That is just stunning, well done !!!

[FlatlandFox]

An excellent rendering of a historic vessel. Sad it was scrapped. Naval train ships are the Cinderellas of every navy, even though many of them have got incredible memories to tell.

Excellent model, sir.

[Rod bettencourt]

That's awesome!! Thanks for sharing.

 

Rod

[Iceman 29]

On 25/03/2024 at 20:56, FlatlandFox said:

An excellent rendering of a historic vessel. Sad it was scrapped. Naval train ships are the Cinderellas of every navy, even though many of them have got incredible memories to tell.

Excellent model, sir.

 

Yes but sister-ship and the companion "Hoga" is still alive:

 

USS Hoga (YT-146) is best known for her actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. 

 

http://aimmuseum.org/uss-hoga/

 

USS Hoga (YT-146)

Class: Woban-class district harbour tug

Builder : Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation, Morris Heights, New York

Keel laid : 25 July 1940

Launched : 31 December 1940

Commissioned : 22 May 1941

Decommissioned : 1 July 1996

Crew : 10 officers and enlisted men

Displacement : 218 tonnes

Length : 100 feet

Beam : 25 feet

Draft : 9 feet, 7 inches

Propulsion : One propeller Two diesel engines

Speed : 12 knots

 

 

 

Getting underway less than 10 minutes after the first Japanese bombs exploded, she set to work rescuing sailors from the water, fighting fires and pulling ships out of harm's way. 

 

 

The Hoga moved the repair ship USS Vestal away from the burning hull of the USS Arizona, assisted the damaged minesweeper USS Oglala and the battleship USS Nevada. 

 

She fought fires on the Nevada as well as on the battleships USS Maryland, USS Tennessee and USS Arizona. In total, the Hoga spent 72 hours continuously fighting fires. 

 

 

The Hoga is best known for pushing the sinking USS Nevada to safety and preventing it from blocking the narrow channel.

 

 

 

 

The Hoga is currently undergoing a major restoration to its Second World War configuration. It served as a fireboat for the Port of Oakland for four decades, even carrying President Carter on a visit to the Bay, before being decommissioned and transferred to North Little Rock AR.