The first USS Wahpeton (YTB-527), later YTM-527, was a harbor tug in commission from 1946 through at least 1979. Wahpeton was laid down on 23 June 1945 at Jacksonville, Florida, by the Gibbs Gas Engine Company, Inc. She was launched on 29 September 1945, sponsored by Mrs. Emery H. Price, the wife of Congressman Emery H. Price, a member of the U.S. House Naval Affairs Committee, and was completed on 2 January 1946. From 1968 until 1974, she was one of two U.S. Navy tugs in service as USS Wahpeton, the other being tug USS Wahpeton (YTM-757).