From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

An Indian of the most important of the Carib an tribes inhabiting South and Central America.

 AT - 82: dp. 1,235 l. 205' b. 38'6"

dr. 15'4" s. 16.5 k. cpl. 85 a. 1 x 3"

cl. Cherokee

The second Carib (AT-82) was launched 7 February 1943 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston, S.C.; sponsored by Mrs. N. R. Wade; and commissioned 24 July 1943, Lieutenant A. H. Gunn in command.

Carib cleared Norfolk, Va., 3 September 1943 for duty under Commander, Service Force, Atlantic. She arrived at Recife, Brazil, 17 October, and through June 1944 operated along the coast of Brazil on local escort, towing and salvage duty. This important support aided in the successful antisubmarine and escort operations of the South Atlantic Force.

Clearing for the Mediterranean 6 June 1944, Carib returned to New York 22 July, towing battle-damaged Menges (DE-320) across the Atlantic. Through the next year, she aided in the development of antisubmarine equipment at Quonset Point, R.I., and at Port Everglades, Fla. The fleet tug cleared Port Everglades 1 June 1945 for the Pacific, towing APL-28 to the Canal Zone, and then the 10,000-ton concrete floating drydock ARDC-2 to Pearl Harbor.

Carib towed battle rafts to Eniwetok and Okinawa, and at Buckner Bay on 21 October, reported to the 5th Fleet's Service Squadron 10. Towing jobs in support of the occupation of Japan and redeployments in China took Carib to Japan and Shanghai from Okinawa until 9 January 1946. The tug towed Edgar Allen Poe (IX-103) to Subic Bay, P.I., arriving 6 February, and operated in the Philippines until 6 April. Carib returned to San Pedro, Calif., 29 May, and on 24 January 1947 was placed out of commission in reserve, berthed at San Diego.