PC-461-class submarine chaser
{{Short description|Class of submarine chasers, primarily for the US Navy}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=February 2013}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=Uss pc-815 1.jpg |Ship caption={{USS|PC-815}}, a US PC-461-class submarine chaser that served in World War II }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders=(13 companies in 11 states) |Operators=*{{navy|United States}}
|Class before=USS SC-451 and USS SC-452 |Class after=PC-1610 class |Subclasses= |Built range=1941-1944 |In commission range= |Total ships building= |Total ships planned=403 |Total ships completed=343 |Total ships cancelled=60 |Total ships active=0 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost=8 |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship type=Submarine chaser |Ship displacement=450 tons |Ship length={{convert|173|ft|8|in|m|0|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|23|ft|0|in|m|0|abbr=on}} |Ship draft={{convert|6|ft|2.5|in|m|0|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=2 × {{convert|1,440|bhp|lk=in|abbr=on}} diesel engines (various models) 2 × shafts |Ship speed={{convert|20.2|kn|lk=in}} |Ship range=3000 nautical miles at 12 knots |Ship complement=65 |Ship sensors= |Ship EW= |Ship armament=Varies over time. Typically 1 3”/50 gun forward, 1 3"/50 or 40mm Bofors aft, 3 or 5 20mm single mount cannons bridge/amidships. 2 or 4 K-guns, 2 depth charge racks. |Ship armor= |Ship aircraft= None |Ship aircraft facilities= None |Ship notes= }} |
The PC-461-class submarine chasers were a class of 343 submarine chasers constructed mainly for the US Navy and built from 1941 to 1944. The PC-461s were based primarily on two experimental submarine chasers, PC-451 and PC-452. While PC-461 began the series, the first of the class to enter service was PC-471. As part of the Lend-Lease program, 46 ships of this class were transferred to allies of the United States. Fifty-nine PC-461s were converted to other types of patrol vessels. Eight vessels of this class were lost, and one vessel was lost after conversion to a {{sclass|PGM-9|motor gunboat|1}}. Only one of the class, USS PC-566 commanded by Lieutenant Commander (later Captain) Herbert G. Claudius, actually sank a submarine, {{GS|U-166|1941|2}}, during World War II;{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141217-german-u-boat-u-166-gulf-mexico-archaeology-history/?sf6394572=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729171047/https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/12/141217-german-u-boat-u-166-gulf-mexico-archaeology-history/?sf6394572=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2018|title=72 Years Later, Snubbed Captain Credited With Downing German U-Boat|author=Brian Clark Howard|work=National Geographic}} however, the website 'Patrol Craft Sailors Association' cites PC-461-class ships sinking or assisting sinking up to 6 German and Japanese subs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ww2pcsa.org/patrol-craft.html|title=WWII PCs - World War 2 Patrol Crafts - PCSA|website=www.ww2pcsa.org}}
PC-461 submarine chasers were used in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Numerous PC-461 class vessels were used to aid in amphibious assaults, including the Normandy invasion.{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/louis-hyde-crew-member-on-pc-1225-during-world-war-ii.htm|title=Louis Hyde: Crew Member on PC 1225 During WW2|author=Gary Hyde|work=Historynet.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/05/30/feature/my-grandfathers-secret-d-day-journal/|title=My Grandfather's Secret D-Day Journal|author=Barry Svrluga|newspaper=The Washington Post}}
One member of this class, {{USS|PC-1264}}, was one of only two ships in the US Navy during World War II that had a mostly African-American crew.{{cite book|title= African Americans at War: An Encyclopedia, Vol. 1|author=Jonathan Sutherland|page=301}}
An unknown member of the class still survives as of June 17th, 2021 in the Columbia River just north of the Troutdale Airport.[https://prnt.sc/64FEOi8Zx5cs]
Lend-Lease program
As part of the Lend-Lease program enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a total of 46 PC-461s were lent to allies of the United States. Thirty-two were sent to France, 10+ (3 to cannibalized for spare parts and 1 to private owner -George Simmonuti- as yacht in 1967) to Venezuela,{{Cite web|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/01idx.htm|title = Submarine Chaser Photo Index}} 8 to Brazil,{{Cite web|url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/the-other-world-war-ii-battle-the-atlantic-everyone-forgets-20645|title=The Other World War II Battle of the Atlantic Everyone Forgets About|date=14 May 2017}} 1 to Uruguay, 1 to Norway, 1 to the Netherlands, and 1 to Greece.
Post-WWII importance
Following the end of World War II, many PC-461-class ships were placed into reserve squadrons or brought out of active service. Many more however were furnished to American allies around the world, most notably the Republic of Korea.
The first vessel to join the new ROK Navy was former {{USS|PC-823}}, transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy and renamed {{ship|ROKS|Baekdusan}} (PC-701). The vessel played a major part in the Battle of Korea Strait, the small naval battle fought on the first day of the Korean War in June 1950.
Six transferred to the Portuguese Navy in 1949 under the MDAP (Mutual Defense and Assistance Program) PC-812 as NRP Maio, PC-811 as NRP Madeira, PC-1257 as NRP Santiago, PC-809 as NRP Sal, PC-1256 as NRP São Tomé and PC-1259 as NRP São Vicente.
Five were transferred to the Indonesian Navy in 1958 and 1960 under the Mutual Assistance Program. PC-1141 as KRI Tjakalang, PC-1183 as KRI Tenggiri, PC-581 as KRI Torani, PC-580 as KRI Hiu, and PC-787 as KRI Alu-Alu.{{Cite book|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jalesveva_Jayamahe_(full_book).pdf|title=Jalesveva Jayamahe|year=1960|pages=101–102|via=Wikimedia Commons}}
Conversions
Twenty-four PC-461s were converted to patrol gunboats, motor (PGM) and 35 were converted into amphibious control craft (PCC). Eighteen were completed as {{sclass|Adroit|minesweeper|1}}s (AM) but their performance as such was judged to be unsatisfactory and they were converted back to the PC configuration.{{Cite web
|url= http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/A/d/Adroit_class.htm
|title=The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia: Adroit Class, U.S. Fleet Minesweepers
|work=pwencycl.kgbudge.com
|accessdate=22 December 2010
}}
Construction
- (all) (341)
- {{USS|PC-461||2}} ... {{USS|PC-496||2}} (36)
- {{USS|PC-542||2}} ... {{USS|PC-627||2}} (86)
- {{USS|PC-776||2}} ... {{USS|PC-825||2}} (50)
- {{USS|PC-1077||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1091||2}} (15)
- {{USS|PC-1119||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1149||2}} (31)
- {{USS|PC-1167||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1265||2}} (99)
- {{USS|PC-1546||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1569||2}} (24)
- {{USS|PC-1586||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1603||2}} (18) (see {{sclass|Adroit|minesweeper}})
- Defoe Shipbuilding Company, MI (56)
- {{USS|PC-471||2}} ... {{USS|PC-482||2}}
- {{USS|PC-542||2}} ... {{USS|PC-549||2}}
- {{USS|PC-583||2}} ... {{USS|PC-587||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1119||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1149||2}}
- Consolidated Shipbuilding, NY (51)
- {{USS|PC-483||2}} ... {{USS|PC-487||2}}
- {{USS|PC-563||2}} ... {{USS|PC-564||2}}
- {{USS|PC-600||2}} ... {{USS|PC-603||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1191||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1210||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1237||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1240||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1264||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1265||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1546||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1549||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1550||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1559||2}}
- Commercial Iron Works, OR (43)
- {{USS|PC-596||2}} ... {{USS|PC-599||2}}
- {{USS|PC-776||2}} ... {{USS|PC-814||2}}
- For {{USS|PC-1586||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1592||2}}, see {{sclass|Adroit|minesweeper}}
- Leathem D. Smith Shipbuilding, WI (42)
- {{USS|PC-496||2}}, {{USS|PC-550||2}}, {{USS|PC-551||2}}
- {{USS|PC-588||2}} ... {{USS|PC-591||2}}
- {{USS|PC-821||2}} ... {{USS|PC-825||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1171||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1180||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1225||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1230||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1260||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1263||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1560||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1569||2}}
- George Lawley & Son, MA (23)
- {{USS|PC-461||2}} ... {{USS|PC-470||2}}
- {{USS|PC-616||2}} ... {{USS|PC-619||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1083||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1091||2}}
- Luders Marine Construction Company, CT (22)
- {{USS|PC-556||2}} ... {{USS|PC-558||2}}
- {{USS|PC-604||2}} ... {{USS|PC-607||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1211||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1220||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1255||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1259||2}}
- Albina Engine & Machine Works, OR (21)
- {{USS|PC-569||2}} ... {{USS|PC-572||2}}
- {{USS|PC-578||2}} ... {{USS|PC-582||2}}
- {{USS|PC-815||2}} ... {{USS|PC-820||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1077||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1082||2}}
- Dravo Corporation (20)
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- {{USS|PC-490||2}} ... {{USS|PC-495||2}}
- {{USS|PC-573||2}}
- {{USS|PC-592||2}} ... {{USS|PC-595||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1593||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1597||2}}
- Wilmington, Delaware
- {{USS|PC-574||2}} ... {{USS|PC-577||2}}
- Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corporation, NY (16)
- {{USS|PC-488||2}}, {{USS|PC-489||2}}
- {{USS|PC-552||2}} ... {{USS|PC-555||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1167||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1170||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1231||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1236||2}}
- Gibbs Gas Engine Works, FL (14)
- {{USS|PC-612||2}} ... {{USS|PC-615||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1181||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1190||2}}
- Nashville Bridge Company, TN (14)
- {{USS|PC-620||2}} ... {{USS|PC-623||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1241||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1250||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1600||2}}, {{USS|PC-1601||2}} (see {{sclass|Adroit|minesweeper}})
- Brown Shipbuilding, TX (12)
- {{USS|PC-565||2}} ... {{USS|PC-568||2}}
- {{USS|PC-608||2}} ... {{USS|PC-611||2}}
- {{USS|PC-1251||2}} ... {{USS|PC-1254||2}}
- Jeffboat, IN (8)
- {{USS|PC-559||2}} ... {{USS|PC-562||2}}
- {{USS|PC-624||2}} ... {{USS|PC-627||2}}
=Engines=
- 2 x 1,440bhp Fairbanks Morse 38D8 1/8 diesel engines, Westinghouse reduction gear (63)
- 461 ... 470, 483 ... 487, 563 ... 572, 578 ... 582, 600 ... 603, 616 ... 619
- 1077 ... 1082, 1176 ... 1180, 1231 ... 1236, 1251 .. 1254, 1260 ... 1263
- (serial numbers listed in navsource.org reference)
- 2 x 1,440bhp General Motors 16-258S diesel engines, Farrel-Birmingham single reduction gear (88)
- 471 ... 482, 496, 542 ... 562, 583 ... 591, 596 ... 599, 604 ... 607, 620 ... 627
- 1119 ... 1139, 1225 ... 1230, 1241, 1242
- serial numbers listed
- 2 x 1,440bhp Hooven-Owen-Rentschler R-99DA diesel engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear (111)
- 488 ... 495, 573 ... 577, 592 ... 595, 608 ... 615, 776 ... 789, 791 ... 795
- 799 ... 804, 807, 810, 813 ... 822, 825, 1181 ... 1184, 1186, 1187, 1190 .. 1217
- 1219 ... 1224, 1237 ... 1240, 1256 ... 1259, 1265
- 1201, 1211, 1213, 1216 listed as having no reduction gear
- serial numbers in reference
- 2 x 1,280bhp Hooven-Owen-Rentschler RB-99DA diesel engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear (18)
- 790, 796 ... 798, 805, 806, 808, 809, 811, 812, 823, 824, 1185, 1188, 1189, 1218, 1255, 1264
- 4 x 1,440bhp 6-cylinder ALCO 540 diesel engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear (3)
- 1083 ... 1085
- obviously a mistake has been made there. Conway's All the worlds fighting ships even lists 1084 as a representative member and gives it only 2 engines
- 2 x 1,440bhp General Motors 16-278A diesel engines, Farrel-Birmingham single reduction gear (57)
- 1086 ... 1091, 1140 ... 1149, 1167 ... 1175, 1243 ... 1250, 1546 ... 1569
- listed as having Westinghouse gears: 1165
See also
Citations
{{reflist}}
References
- Friedman, Norman (1987). US Small Combatants, Including PT-Boats, Subchasers, and the Brown-Water Navy: An Illustrated Design History
{{PC-461 class submarine chaser}}