USS Sandalwood (AN-32)

USS "Sandalwood" (AN-32/YN-27) was an "Aloe"-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve the U.S. Navy during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets.

Built in Lorain, Ohio

"Sandalwood" (YN-27) was laid down on 18 October 1940 by the American Shipbuilding Company, Lorain, Ohio; launched on 6 March 1941; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Wallace; delivered on 24 October 1941; and placed in service on 25 October 1941.

World War II service

Following transit of the St. Lawrence River, "Sandalwood" proceeded down the U.S. East Coast to Norfolk, Virginia, where she remained, conducting net operations and performing occasional patrol or salvage duties, into 1944. Then, redesignated "AN-32", effective 22 January, and commissioned on 1 June, she prepared for overseas duty. On 1 October, "Sandalwood" was detached from the 5th Naval District. Two weeks later, in the Panama Canal Zone, she reported to CinCPac and continued on to California and Hawaii, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 25 November. She remained in the Hawaiian area into 1945; and, in late February, got underway for the Marshall Islands. At Eniwetok by mid-March, she conducted net operations there through the end of World War II. On 24 November, she steamed east, arrived at San Pedro, California, in early January 1946; and, four months later, moved north to Astoria, Oregon, for inactivation.

Post-war decommissioning

Decommissioned on 13 August, "Sandalwood" was laid up with the Pacific Reserve Fleet, initially at Bremerton, Washington, and later at Stockton, California. In 1962, she was transferred to the National Defense Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay. Five years later, she was returned to the Navy and sold to the government of France. Transferred in September 1967, she served as "Luciole" until sold by the French government.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18032.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-27 / AN-32 Sandalwood]