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SBB-23: Tugboat Mikiala

Historic photo: Ikaika christening May 1947

Article: Ikaika renamed Mikiala Honolulu advertiser Jan 30 1958

HURL Artifact No.	SBB-23	*Denotes approximations and speculations


Name:	Mikiala	Lost:	5-Sep-1970
Artifact Type:	Tugboat	Found:	3-Mar-2011
Nationality:	USA	Dive No:	PV-763/PIV-242
Class or Make:	Tugboat	Location:	Kewalo
Model:	Miki-Class	Depth (m):	541m
Purpose:	Pushing/Towing Vessels	HURL crew:	T. Kerby, S. Price, J. Smith/M. Cremer, C. Wollerman, C. Kelley
Serial Number:	LT-390	Additional Dives:	PV-806
Built/Launched:	1944

Length:	127'
Width:	26'
Height:



Circumstance of Loss:	Scuttled	Crew Personnel/Position:	Captain and 3-5 Crew

Reason of Loss:	*Old Age	Crew Survivals/Fatalities:	n/a

Artifact History:	Originally the tug was designated LT-390 during its time with the Army. Later it was owned and operated by Young Brothers Hawaiian Tug & Barge Co. and named "Ikaika". It was renamed "Mikiala" in 1958 after a number of unfortunate incidents. (see Honolulu Advertiser article) It was scuttled in 1970.

Artifact Condition:	The wooden hull in still entirely intact although "teredo" (wood worms) are heavily at work throughout the vessel. The entire upper deck is collapsed and the stack is leaning over onto it's side. There is a large vent stack on the bow and twin wire drums on the back deck. The main deck level is completely intact including portholes. There is a metal mast 100m away.

Additional Information:	There were 61 tugboats of this design built for the Army in WWII. After the war they were sold off to various companies. 36 were single screw Miki-class tugs and 25 were twin screw Miki-Miki-class tugs. 3 of the 61 are still in operation. Miki-Miki means "move quickly" or "energetic" in Hawaiian. Mikiala means "prompt" or "early on hand".

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