Asubmarine chaser orsubchaser is a type of small naval vessel that is specifically intended foranti-submarine warfare. They encompass designs that are now largely obsolete, but which played an important role in the wars of the first half of the 20th century. Many of the American submarine chasers used inWorld War I found their way toAllied nations by way ofLend-Lease inWorld War II.
U.S. Navysubmarine chasers were designed specifically to destroyGerman submarines inWorld War I, andJapanese andGerman submarines inWorld War II. The small 110-foot (34 m)SC-1-class submarine chasers of the design used in World War I carried the hull designatorSC (forSubmarineChaser).[1] Their main weapon was thedepth charge. They also carriedmachine guns andanti-aircraft guns. The similar-sizedSC-497-class was built for World War II. Also in World War II, larger 173-foot (53 m)PC-461-class submarine chasers used thePChull classification symbol (forPatrol,Coastal).[2]
Class relationships:
In early 1915, theBritish Admiralty selected the USElectric Launch Company (Elco) for the production of 50motor launches for anti-submarine work, British industry being at maximum capacity. This order was eventually increased by a further 530. The whole order was completed by November 1916, and the vessels enteredRoyal Navy service. The vessels were 80 feet (24 m) in length and capable of 20 knots (37 km/h). They were armed with a3-pounder gun, towedparavanes to attack submarines and, later,depth charges.[3] Additional motor launches of theFairmile A,Fairmile B and other classes were built for World War II.[4]
The British sub chasers were operated around the coast in defence. However, they were uncomfortable, wet and not suited to British sea conditions.[citation needed] Although used during the First World War, they were sold when the war ended.
Submarine chasers were used mostly by theUnited States Coast Guard in World War II for destroying GermanU-boats that were stationed off the coast of the United States that were trying to sink merchant convoys as they departed American ports. In thePacific Theatre, submarine chasers were used foramphibious landings, courier and escort duty.[5][6][2]
Eight BritishFairmile B motor launches were transferred from Canada to the US in World War II, and included theSC-1466 class of sub-chasers.[7][4]
TheImperial Japanese Navy had around 250 submarine chasers in World War II, principally about 200 of theNo.1-class auxiliary submarine chasers. Some of these survived to serve in theJapan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) after the war.[8]
DuringProject Hula, the United States secretly transferred 32 U.S. Navy submarine chasers to theSoviet Union between 26 May and 2 September 1945, and some of these saw action in theSoviet Navy duringSoviet military operations against the Japanese between 9 August and 2 September 1945. The transfer of 24 more was canceled when transfers halted on 5 September 1945, three days after theJapanese surrender. Between 1954 and 1960 all 32 transferred submarine chasers were scrapped by the Soviet Union or destroyed off its coast by mutual agreement between the two countries.[9]
In the decade immediately after World War II, theSoviet Union built 227Kronshtadt-class submarine chasers, some of which remained in active service until the 1990s. Rapid developments in submarine technologies since World War II mean that submarine chasers are now obsolete, having been replaced bycorvettes,frigates, anddestroyers.
The only remaining submarine chaser with intact World War II armament is theRoyal Norwegian Navy'sHNoMSHitra, which is a touring museum today. A World War II type submarine chaser built in 1953, originallyPC1610, is being restored in the Netherlands asLe Fougueux.[10]
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