World War II U.S. Navy Vessels in Private Hands

During World War II, the U.S. Navy swiftly expanded to include an array of vessels, from smaller yachts and fishing boats bought early in the war for patrol work to fast, modern commercial ships built to haul troops and supplies. After the Allied victory, this diverse fleet became unnecessary and the Navy sold many of its vessels. This comprehensive catalog documents the Navy ships and boats sold after the war and registered under the American flag for commercial or recreational purposes. Focusing on those vessels with names or clearly identifiable hull numbers and crew accommodations, it chronicles each craft’s prewar ownership, wartime history, and postwar fate. The product of painstaking detective work in a wide range of primary sources, this meticulous directory highlights an unexplored but illuminating aspect of U.S. maritime history.

Greg H. Williams served four years in the Navy, including duty on the converted Liberty ship USS Granville S. Hall (YAG–40). He was one of 27 volunteer crewmen who made the entire five month voyage from San Francisco to Europe on the Jeremiah O’Brien in 1994 for the 50th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion. He lives near Noti, Oregon.

Greg H. Williams
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 364
Bibliographic Info: glossary, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6645-0
eISBN: 978-1-4766-0040-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1
Introduction 3
• The Vessels •
AMh—Mine Sweeper, Harbor 11
APc—Small Transport, Coastal 12
AT—Ocean Tugs 18
LCI(L)—Landing Craft, Infantry, Large 23
LCS(L)—Landing Craft Support, Large 34
LCT—Landing Craft, Tank 36
LSM—Landing Ship, Medium 53
LST—Landing Ship, Tank 75
Named Craft 92
PC—Patrol Craft 199
PCE—Patrol Craft, Escort 204
PCS—Patrol Craft, Sweeper 207
PT—Patrol Torpedo 215
SC—Submarine Chaser 230
SC—Submarine Chaser, ­Canadian-­built 260
YAG—Miscellaneous Auxiliary 260
YDG—District Degaussing Vessel 262
YMS—Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper 262
YO—­Self-­Propelled Fuel Oil Barge 280
YOG—­Self-­Propelled Gasoline Barge 284
YOL—Coastal Tanker 286
YP—Yard Patrol 287
YW—­Self-­Propelled Water Barge 314
Glossary 315
Bibliography 319
Index 321

• “An impressive amount of tedious research”—ARBA
• “It is a rare find among recently-published naval history books to have a book dealing with Second Word War U.S. Navy vessels that contributes something new to the existing body of knowledge. Without any doubt, Williams’ book belongs to this category and is, consequently, a welcome addition to any naval history bookshelf…recommended”—The Northern Mariner/Le marin du nord
• “An encyclopedic reference that you’ll keep on the shelf for reference whenever you need information on a particular vessel…recommended”—Nautical Research Journal
• “Williams compiles an impressive amount of information…a valuable resource…a fascinating glimpse into the process of mobilization and demobilization during the World War II era and beyond. The sheer volume of vessels included is the most striking feature of the book”—H-Net Reviews
• “Williams, gives details on the World War II US Navy ships and boats that were sold after the war and registered for commercial or recreational purposes”—Reference & Research Book News