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LIBBY ISLAND
Pictured as: the Northern Retriever Photo by: George Schneider

Built in 1943, by Avondale Marine Ways (hull #41) as the Libby Island for the United States Navy.

She was a A V4-M-A1 class tug. A 186(ft) oceangoing tug, of which forty-nine were built for the United States Navy. By various shipyards throughout the United States for wartime service.

In 1943, the Moran Towing Company of New York, New York was contracted to man and operate the tug for the United States Navy.

In 1946, she was returned to the United States Navy.

In 1971, the tug was acquired by Alpac Underseas Incorporated of Seattle, Washington. Where she was renamed as the Northern Retriever.

She was eventually acquired by an individual named Dennis Matheson, and in 2008 was seized by the City of Hoquiam, Washington as a derelict vessel. The tug was then scrapped at Seattle, Washington in 2009.

She was single screw, rated at 2,250 horsepower.


  • Vessel Name: LIBBY ISLAND
  • USCG Doc. No.: 243385
  • Vessel Service: TOWING VESSEL
  • Trade Indicator: Coastwise Unrestricted, Registry
  • Hull Material: STEEL
  • Hull Number: 41
  • Ship Builder: AVONDALE MARINE WAYS INC
  • Year Built: 1943
  • Length: 185.5
  • Hull Depth: 17.8
  • Hull Breadth: 37.6
  • Gross Tonnage: 1117
  • Net Tonnage: 251
  • Previous Vessel Names:
    Libby Island, Northern Retriever
  • Previous Vessel Owners:
    War Shipping Administration, United States Navy, Alpac Underseas Inc, Dennis Matheson, City of Hoquiam, State of Washington