USS Mercedes

History
Spain
Name	Mercedes
Namesake	Mercedes
Launched	unknown
Fate	captured by the United States, May 1898, assigned to Customs Department
Commonwealth of the Philippines
Name	Mercedes
Fate	transferred to United States Navy, 15 November 1902
United States Navy
Name	Mercedes
Commissioned	15 November 1902
Reclassified	YT-108, 17 July 1920
Honours & awards	1 Battle Stars [1]   American Defense Service Medal [1]   Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal [1]   World War II Victory Medal [1]   Philippine Defense Medal [1]
Fate	scuttled, 2 January 1942
General characteristics
Length	53.5 ft (16.3 m) o/a [2]
Beam	9.17 ft (2.80 m) [2]
Draught	3.83 ft (1.17 m) [2]
Propulsion	steam, single screw [2]

USS Mercedes was a harbor tug of the United States Navy that served during World War II.

History

She was built by the Spanish in the Philippines and captured by the United States at the Cavite Naval Yard in May 1898 during the Spanish–American War. ^{[2] [1]} She was turned over to the Customs Department of the Commonwealth of the Philippines. ^[2] On 15 November 1902, she was transferred to the United States Navy and assigned to the Cavite Naval Yard, 16th Naval District, United States Asiatic Fleet. ^{[2] [1] [3]} On 17 July 1920, she was designated as District Harbor Tug YT-108. ^[1] On 2 January 1942, she was intentionally scuttled to prevent capture ^{[2] [1]} during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines.

She earned one battle star. ^[1]

References

1. Priolo, Gary P. "Mercedes (YT-108)". NavSource - Naval Source History. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
2. "Mercedes". Naval History and Heritage Command, United States Navy . Archived from the original on 30 March 2020.
3. Wright, David X. "United States Asiatic Fleet Order of Battle, December 1941". The United States Asiatic Fleet. Retrieved 8 March 2017.