From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

An Indian tribe of California

dr. 15'4" s. 16 k. cpl. 85 a. 1 x 3"

cl. Navajo

Chimariko (ATF-154) was launched 30 December 1944 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co, Charleston, S.C.; sponsored by Mrs. G. Davis, and commissioned 28 April 1945, Lieutenant W. R. Wurzler, USNR, in command.

Departing Norfolk, Va., 5 June 1945, Chimariko reached Galveston, Tex., 11 June, and towed the disabled tanker SS C. A. Canfield from Sabine Pass (12-16 June). From 16 June until 1 July, she towed YFD-3 to Cristobal, C.Z. Passing through the Panama Canal 9 July she towed YFs 727 and 1069 via San Diego to Kwajelein, arriving 25 August. She exchanged tows and departed 1 September for San Pedro Bay, Leyte, P.I., arriving 19 September. On 17 October 1945 she reported at Okinawa for salvage duty, serving there until 14 January 1946 when she towed the concrete barge Lignite (IX-162) to Hong Kong, weathering a severe storm in the straits south of Formosa to arrive safely 19 January.

Chimariko departed Hong Kong 18 February 1946, and after brief periods of salvage and towing duty at Subic Bay, P.I., and Guam, she steamed via Pearl Harbor to San Pedro, Calif., arriving 9 June to be placed out of commission in reserve 31 October 1946.