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RIGHT ARM

Built in 1891, by Peter Maglehan of Athens, New York as the Right Arm for Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation of New York, New York.

On April 23rd, 1898 the tug was acquired by the United States Navy. Where she was designated the Pontiac. Named for Ottawa Native American Chief Pontiac. She was the second ship to be so named by the U.S. Navy. On July 1st, 1911 she was commissioned USS Pontiac.

During World War I, the vessel was assigned to efforts at New York, New York. A major center for domestic and foreign commerce.

On April 11th, 1918 she was redesignated as the Passaic. However on July 17th, 1920 she was redesignated YT-20 (Passaic).

In 1921, she was struck from the Naval Register. On July 25th, 1922 the tug was acquired by John Kantzler and Sons of Bay City, Michigan. Where she was renamed as the Right Arm.

In 1922, the tug was acquired by the McAllister Brothers Towing Company of New York, New York. Where she retained her name.

In 1923 the tug sank off of Atlantic City, New Jersey.
(NavSource Online)


  • Vessel Name: RIGHT ARM
  • USCG Doc. No.: 0110962
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted
  • Hull Material: WOOD
  • Ship Builder: Peter Maglehan
  • Year Built: 1891
  • Length: 124.4
  • Hailing Port: NEW YORK, NY.
  • Hull Depth: 10.5
  • Hull Breadth: 27.0
  • Gross Tonnage: 238
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Right Arm, Pontiac, USS Pontiac, Passaic, YT 20 (Passaic), Right Arm
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    Merritt-Chapman and Scott Corporation, United States Navy, John Kantzler and Sons, McAllister Bros. Towing