Patrol Craft Sailor Association
INFORMATION ON WWII SCs
110-FOOT, WOOD HULL SUBCHASER (SC)
WORLD WAR II SUBCHASER PROGRAM
Cost each - $500,000
LEND-LEASE PROGRAM (142)
US NAVY CONVERSIONS (84)Patrol Gunboat, Motor (PGM 8) In late 1943, in response to requests by PT commanders in the southwest Pacific, eight SCs were converted to Patrol Gunboat, Motor (PGM). The superstructure was cut down and replaced with an open bridge and all ASW gear removed. The forward 40mm was replaced with a single 3-inch/23 gun, a single 40mm was added aft, along with four twin 50-caliber machine guns, a 60mm mortar and FM smoke generators. Radio and radar compatible with those on the PTs was also installed. The PGMs were well received but were much too slow to keep up with the PTs. Coastal Mine Sweeper (AMC 18) Six converted SCs were used for shallow-water mine sweeping in the Mediterranean in 1943. They were fitted with captured German sweep gear intended for R-Boats. An additional 12 SCs were converted in 1945 for the Pacific Fleet. Beach Control Craft (SCC 70) SCC conversion replaced the forward 40mm with a 20mm cannon, added two 50-caliber machine guns, and additional radio equipment. Crews quarters were modified to accomodate extra personnel during beach landings.
SC WORLD WAR II SERVICEThe 110-foot, wood-hulled, World War II Subchaser (SC), can trace its origin back to the World War I "Splinter Fleet." Like its predecessor, the SC was designed primarily for off-shore patrols and Anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Along with the 173-foot, steel-hulled, Patrol Craft (PC), the SC played a major role in suppressing the German U-Boat threat along the Atlantic seaboard. Though small in size, the SC soon became the "work horse" of the Navy, performing a variety of assignments, often operating under extremely hazardous conditions. The SCs saw action in every combat theater world-wide. The SC also proved to be an effective Beach Control Craft, (SCC), guiding the landing craft in amphibious landings in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France. During D-Day operations, they performed air-sea rescue duties in the English channel, rescuing downed Allied airmen. The SCCs were operational in the Asiatic-Pacific theater as well. Assigned to "MacArthur's Navy," they participated in every amphibious landing operation, often sailing within range of the Japanese shore batteries. The end of hostilities saw the SCC crews trained and ready to lead the Allied invasion forces in the invasion of the Japanese homeland. SC WAR RECORDVICTORIES
SCs LOST OR DAMAGED
SC's Converted to PGMs - LOST OR DAMAGED
For a history of WWII SCs and their crews try Splinter Fleet - The Wooden Subchasers of World War II. Patrol Craft Sailors are "Too
Good to be Forgotten." Short-cut to: Web design by Chris Matyas. Editor, Mark Matyas. Patrol Craft Sailors Association © copyright 2005-20, all rights reserved |
