Submarine chaser
A submarine chaser or subchaser is a small naval vessel that is specifically intended for
Submarine chaser variants
U.S. Navy
Class relationships:
- 438 SC-497-class submarine chaser (98t, wooden hull)
- 343 PC-461-class submarine chaser (450t, steel hull)
- 68 PCE-842-class patrol craft (850t, steel hull)
- used in similar role as the submarine chasers
- 123 Admirable-class minesweeper
- design basis for the PCE-842 class
- equipped with substantial anti-submarine capabilities and used as escorts
- 95 Auk-class minesweeper (890t, steel hull)
- predecessor design to the Admirable class
- 481 YMS-1-class minesweeper (270t, wooden hull)
In early 1915, the
War service
The British sub chasers were operated around the coast in defence. However, they were uncomfortable, wet and not suited to British sea conditions.[citation needed] Although used during the First World War, they were sold when the war ended.
Submarine chasers were used mostly by the United States Coast Guard in World War II for destroying German U-boats that were stationed off the coast of the United States that were trying to sink merchant convoys as they departed American ports. In the Pacific Theatre, submarine chasers were used for amphibious landings, courier and escort duty.[5][6][2]
Eight British
The
During
Post-war
In the decade immediately after World War II, the Soviet Union built 227 Kronshtadt-class submarine chasers, some of which remained in active service until the 1990s. Rapid developments in submarine technologies since World War II mean that submarine chasers are now obsolete, having been replaced by corvettes, frigates, and destroyers.
Survivors
The only remaining submarine chaser with intact World War II armament is the Royal Norwegian Navy's HNoMS Hitra, which is a touring museum today. A World War II type submarine chaser built in 1953, originally PC1610, is being restored in the Netherlands as Le Fougueux.[10]
See also
- Harbour Defence Motor Launch
- List of Escorteurs of the French Navy
- List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy
- Wooden boats of World War II
Citations
- ^ Gardiner, pp. 132–133
- ^ a b Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 71, 152-154
- ^ Gardiner, p. 101
- ^ a b Gardiner and Chesneau, p. 71
- ^ Submarine Chaser Photo Archive NavSource
- ^ Splinter Fleet – The Wooden Subchasers of World War II
- ^ "Sunday Ship History: Submarine Chasers" EagleSpeak
- ^ Watts, pp. 279–288
- ISBN 0-945274-35-1, pp. 35, 37–38, 40.
- ^ P641 Le Fougueux
General bibliography
- Gardiner, Robert, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921 Conway Maritime Press, 1985. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
- Gardiner, Robert and Chesneau, Roger, Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946, Conway Maritime Press, 1980. ISBN 0-83170-303-2.
- Watts, Anthony J., Japanese Warships of World War II, Doubleday, 1966. ISBN 0-385-09189-3.
- Wright, Charles W. Jr., ed. (2005). "Question 9/03: USN Subchaser Sales After WW I". Ask Infoser. Warship International. XLII (1): 17–20. JSTOR 44893202.
External links
- Subchaser Archives a site dedicated to US World War I subchasers.
- Subchasers at Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940–1945