⚓ U.S. Navy — Auxiliary & Supply Ships
Various fleet tugs ATF
Last updated July 11, 2026
The Various fleet tugs ATF was a class of U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships from the asbestos era, led by USS Cherokee (ATF-66). Its 26 ships used asbestos-containing insulation throughout the engineering plant, and veterans who served aboard Various fleet tugs ATF vessels — especially in engineering ratings — may have been exposed to asbestos fibers.
About the Various fleet tugs ATF
- 26 ships in the class
- Hull numbers span ATF-66 to ATF-169
- Lead ship: USS Cherokee (ATF-66)
- 26 ships in this class carry recorded service or disposition notes (see the roster below)
Asbestos Exposure Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF Ships
Asbestos was the standard thermal insulation material aboard U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships built before approximately 1980. On ships of this type, asbestos-containing materials were concentrated in the areas below.
- Main engineering spaces — boiler and turbine insulation, steam piping
- Cargo pump rooms (oilers) — thermal and pump insulation
- Hospital compartments (hospital ships) — overhead and bulkhead insulation in some spaces
- Fuel transfer system piping — pipe lagging throughout the ship
- Gaskets and valve packing in all engineering spaces
Fleet oilers of the Cimarron and Neosho classes, ammunition ships of the Nitro and Suribachi classes, and combat stores ships of the Mars class all served through the 1970s with asbestos-insulated propulsion plants.
For the full auxiliary & supply ships exposure overview, see the Auxiliary & Supply Ships asbestos guide ›
At-Risk Ratings Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF Ships
The following ratings had regular contact with asbestos-containing materials aboard auxiliary & supply ships of this era. If you served in one of these ratings, document it when filing a VA disability or asbestos trust fund claim.
Ships in the Various fleet tugs ATF (26 vessels)
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USS Abnaki | ATF-96 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Apache | ATF-67 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Arikara | ATF-98 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Atakapa | ATF-149 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Catawba | ATF-168 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Cherokee | ATF-66 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Cocopa | ATF-101 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Hitchiti | ATF-103 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Hopi | ATF-71 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Moctobi | ATF-105 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Molala | ATF-106 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Munsee | ATF-107 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Navaho | ATF-169 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Paiute | ATF-159 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Papago | ATF-160 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Pocahontas | ATF-161 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Potawatomi | ATF-109 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Quapaw | ATF-110 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Seneca | ATF-91 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Takelma | ATF-113 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tawakoni | ATF-114 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tawasa | ATF-92 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Tillamook | ATF-115 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Ute | ATF-76 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Lipan | ATF-85 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
| USS Luiseno | ATF-156 | Engineering ratings in confined tug engine spaces; high asbestos insulation density |
VA Benefits & Legal Options for Various fleet tugs ATF Veterans
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural plaques, or asbestos-related lung cancer who served aboard Various fleet tugs ATF ships may be eligible for:
- VA disability compensation — monthly benefit; requires diagnosis plus evidence of shipboard service. No manufacturer identification needed.
- Asbestos trust fund claims — lump-sum payments from trusts funded by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers (Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and others). Requires identifying specific products used aboard.
These two paths are not mutually exclusive. Many veterans pursue both.
Full claim guidance for Auxiliary & Supply Ships › Free Legal Review ›
Asbestos.cam is an informational resource, not a law firm. The above is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Various fleet tugs ATF ships use asbestos?
Yes. The Various fleet tugs ATF was built during the era when asbestos was the standard insulation material in U.S. naval construction. Engineering spaces aboard these vessels contained asbestos pipe lagging, boiler block insulation, gaskets, and valve packing. Veterans who worked in boiler rooms, engine rooms, or repair roles had the highest likelihood of exposure.
How do I prove I served aboard a Various fleet tugs ATF ship for a VA claim?
Your DD-214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) lists your ship assignments. Additional documentation includes ship deck logs (available from the National Archives), official orders, and buddy statements from fellow crew members. A Veterans Service Organization (VSO) can help you gather and submit this evidence at no cost.
What asbestos products were used aboard Various fleet tugs ATF ships?
Common asbestos products used in U.S. Navy auxiliary & supply ships of this era included Kaylo pipe insulation (Owens-Illinois), Unibestos block insulation (Pittsburgh Corning), 85% magnesia pipe covering (various manufacturers), Flexitallic spiral-wound gaskets, and Johns-Manville pipe covering. A mesothelioma attorney who specializes in Navy claims maintains detailed product-identification databases for specific ship classes.
Did You Serve Aboard Various fleet tugs ATF?
If you or a family member served aboard Various fleet tugs ATF, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Sharing your service information is completely voluntary and may help build the historical record of shipboard exposure — information that can be valuable in VA disability and asbestos trust fund claims.
What we do with your information: Your submission goes into a private moderation queue. We will never publish your name, contact details, or diagnosis information publicly. The only information that may appear publicly is an anonymized count of verified veterans who have reported serving on this ship. We will not sell, rent, or share your information with third parties except as necessary to respond to your specific request. You may request deletion of your information at any time.
To request that your information be removed: Data Removal Request ›