Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive

IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

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VEH-12: Holt 5-ton Cat

Historic photo: 155mm guns of US Army artillery Hawaii 1930

Historic photo: 60th Artillery Battalion

Historic photo: Holt 5 ton Mod 1917 reo built

Historic photo: US tractor of coastal artillery in Hawaii 1935

HURL Artifact No.	VEH-12	*Denotes approximations and speculations


Name:	Hold 5-ton Cat	Lost:	Unknown
Artifact Type:	Prime Mover	Found:	28-Aug-01
Nationality:	USA	Dive No:	PIV-020
Class or Make:	Holt 5 ton	Location:	Kewalo
Model:	Mod 1917	Depth (m):	349m
Purpose:	Tow Artillery or Supplies	HURL crew:	T. Kerby, C. Holloway
Serial Number:	Unknown	Additional Dives:
Built/Launched:	1918 (9,650)

Length:	11' 1"
Width:	5' 3"
Height:	6'



Circumstance of Loss:	Intentionally Disposed	Crew Personnel/Position:	1 Driver

Reason of Loss:	Unknown	Crew Survivals/Fatalities:	n/a

Artifact History:	Holt 5 tons were introduced as part of the first mobilized artillery battalion in Hawaii in 1918 replacing horses. Two experimental tractors arrived in 1917 followed shortly by 3 more 5 ton cats. The order of 26 was filled by the end of 1918. These vehicles were used by the Army into the mid 1920's. They were on parade for Prince Kuhio's funeral in 1922.

Artifact Condition:	Vehicle is sitting upright. The seat is missing. Tracks are still present and is in relatively good shape with minor deterioration. The front access door is missing, as well as the lower side inspection flap.

Additional Information:	Tractor appears to be discarded like numerous other items in the area along with another tractor (VEH-13) of the same model. There is also the remains of a barge in the vicinity so it is possible they could have sunk with it. Four more identical vehicles lie in 25' of water outside of Pokai Bay on Oahu's West side. Mostly the lower half and engines are what remains of them.

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