SC-497-class submarine chaser

USS SC-661
Class overview
Operators:
Preceded by: Protoytpe submarine chaser USS SC-453
Succeeded by: SC-1466 class submarine chaser
Built: 1941-1944
Planned: 475
Completed: 438
Cancelled: 37
Active: 0
Lost: 17
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Type: Submarine chaser
Displacement: 98 tons
Length: 110 ft 10 in (34 m)
Beam: 17 ft 11.5 in (5 m)
Draft: 10 ft 10 in (3 m)
Propulsion:
  • 2 × 1,540 or 880 hp diesel engines
  • 2 × shafts
Speed: 15.6 or 21 knots
Complement: 3 Officers, 25 Enlisted
Armament: Varies over time
Armor: Wooden hull

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. Production began in 1941 and continued until they were succeeded by the SC-1466 class submarine chaser in 1944. As part of the Lend-Lease program, 142 were transferred for use by allies of the United States.[1] The SC-497s were off-shore patrol and anti-submarine warfare vessels. Ninety-six SC-497s were converted into other types of patrol vessels to meet demands in specific locations. Despite the large number of SC-497s, none are credited with destroying an enemy ship. USS SC-669 is incorrectly credited with sinking the Japanese submarine RO-107 on 29 May 1943.[2] However, RO-107 was still active during the summer of 1943.[3] Sixteen SC-497s were lost and another one was lost after her conversion into a PGM-1 class motor gunboat.[2][4]

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 enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Seventy-eight were sent to the Soviet Union, 50 to France, 8 to Brazil, 3 to Norway, and 3 to Mexico.[2]

Seventy of the SC-497s were converted into patrol control crafts (SCC), 18 were converted into coastal mine sweepers (AMC), and 8 were converted into patrol gunboats, motor (PGM).[2]

Survivors

The 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.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Submarine Chaser (SC) Index, retrieved 21 March 2009
  2. 1 2 3 4 Information on WWII SCs, retrieved 21 March 2009
  3. ↑ HIJMS Submarine RO-107: Tabular Record of Movement, retrieved 21 March 2009
  4. ↑ Submarine chasers: SC-497 class, retrieved 21 March 2009
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