SC-497-class submarine chaser

The SC-497-class submarine chasers were a class of 438 submarine chasers built primarily for the United States Navy from 1941–1944.[1] The SC-497s were based on the experimental submarine chaser, USS SC-453. Submarine chasers of this variety were collectively nicknamed "the splinter fleet" due to their wooden hulls.[2]

USS SC-661
Class overview
Operators
Preceded byProtoytpe submarine chaser USS SC-453
Built1941–1944
Planned475
Completed438
Cancelled37
Active0
Lost17
Preserved1
General characteristics
TypeSubmarine chaser
Displacement98 tons
Length110 ft 10 in (34 m)
Beam17 ft 11.5 in (5 m)
Draft10 ft 10 in (3 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × 1,540 or 880 hp (1,150 or 660 kW) General Motors 16-184A or 8-268A 2-stroke diesel engines
  • 2 × shafts
Speed21 or 15.6 knots (38.9 or 28.9 km/h; 24.2 or 18.0 mph)
Complement3 officers, 25 enlisted
Armament
ArmorWooden hull

History

The SC-497s were off-shore patrol and anti-submarine warfare vessels. Seventy of the SC-497s were converted into patrol control crafts (SCC), 18 were converted into coastal minesweepers (AMC), and 8 were converted into patrol gunboats, motor (PGM).[3]

Sixteen SC-497s were lost and another one was lost after her conversion into a PGM-1-class motor gunboat.[3][4]

Despite the large number of SC-497s, none are credited with destroying an enemy ship. (USS SC-669 is sometimes incorrectly credited with sinking the Japanese submarine RO-107 on 29 May 1943,[3] but RO-107 was still active on 6 July 1943.[5])

Soviet naval infantrymen of the Northern Fleet on SC-497-class submarine chasers during the Petsamo-Kirkenes offensive (ex-USS SC-1490, Russian: БО-220, romanized: BO-220, in front).

During World War II, 142 SC-497-class submarine chasers were lent to allies of the United States as part of the Lend-Lease program. Seventy-eight were sent to the Soviet Union, 50 to France, 8 to Brazil, 3 to Norway, and 3 to Mexico.[3][1] The three Norwegian examples served with distinction on the Shetland bus service, running agents, refugees and weapons past the German blockade between occupied Norway and Britain.

Survivors

HNoMS Hitra (ex-USS SC-718) is preserved at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Some remains of HNoMS Hessa (ex-USS SC-683) and HNoMS Vigra (ex-USS SC-1061) can be seen near the coast of Sweden.

USS SC 772 is a liveaboard vessel in Scappoose, Oregon in the Multnomah Slough near Sauvie Island.

See also

References
  1. Submarine Chaser (SC) Index, retrieved 21 March 2009
  2. Splinter Fleet, retrieved 16 January 2019
  3. Information on WWII SCs, retrieved 21 March 2009
  4. Submarine chasers: SC-497 class, retrieved 21 March 2009
  5. IJN Submarine RO-107: Tabular Record of Movement, retrieved 21 March 2009
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