|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN Barnegat Class Small Seaplane Tender 1,766 Tons 310' 9.5" x 41' 12' 5" 1 x 5" DP gun 1 x quad 40mm 2 x dual 40mm 4 x 20mm |
Ship History Built by Lake Washington Shipyards in Houghton, Washington. Laid down 15 August 1941 as a Barnegat-class small seaplane tender. Launched May 15 1942 as USS Coos Bay (AVP-25) named for Coos Bay in Oregon sponsored by Mrs. L. E. Geheres. Commissioned May 16, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN). Wartime History On July 22, 1943 departs San Diego via Pearl Harbor then across the Pacific to Espirtu Santo then to Tulagi. On October 13, 1943 began supporting Patrol Squadron 71 (VP-71) until November 23, 1943. On January 1, 1944 anchored at Blanche Harbor in the Treasury Islands and operated with Task Group 33.1 of Task Force 33 of the Third Fleet with Fleet Air Wing One. Coos Bay maintained the seaplane base at this location and tended to PBY Catalina flying boats conducting rescue missions, anti-submarine searches and utility flights. On January 13, 1944 attacked by enemy aircraft that bombed Stirling Airfield bombs straddled the vessel but caused no damage. On March 5, 1944 RNZAF Catalina piloted by F/Sgt J. B. Monk landed at Blanche Bay with Bauwens, Marcey and Lund rescued from B-24J Liberator piloted by Haire rescued from Saint Georges Channel. Next, to Green Island (Nissan). On June 16, 1944 departs transporting personnel and equipment of FAW-1 from New Georgia to Espirtu Santo. On August 21, 1944 departs for Guadalcanal unloads equipment then departs. On September 8, 1944 operates off Saipan as a station tender. On December 9, 1944 departs across the Pacific to San Pedro for overhaul. PARTIAL HISTORY On May 1, 1966 reclassified as a high endurance cutter and redesignated WHEC-376. On September 1, 1966 decommissioned at Curtis Bay in Baltimore Harbor. On September 2, 1967 returned to the Navy and struck from the register for use as a target ship. Fate Towed from Curtis Bay to a point 120 nautical miles off the coast of Virgina. On January 9, 1968 sunk as a target by guided missile destroyer USS Claude V. Ricketts (DDG-5), another warship and 35 aircraft. References USS Coos Bay (AVP 25) War Diary - January 1944 USS Coos Bay (AVP 25) War Diary - March 1944 NavSource - USS Coos Bay (AVP 25) / USCGC Coos Bay (WAVP-376) / USCGC Coos Bay (WHEC-376) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
