USS Mahogany (AN-23)

USS "Mahogany" (AN-23/YN-18) 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 at Cleveland, Ohio

"Mahogany" (YN 18) was laid down 18 October 1940 by the American Shipbuilding Company, Cleveland, Ohio; launched 13 February 1941; and commissioned 22 December 1942, Lt. R. L. Collins in command.

World War II service

Shortly after commissioning and sea trials, "Mahogany" reported to Argentia, Newfoundland. There she conducted net tending, rescue, and icebreaking operations through 1943. On 20 January 1944 she was redesignated "AN-23".

Four months later, having received additional armament and equipment, she was assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. She completed passage through the Panama Canal 14 July and continued on to San Diego, California, for further exercises. Arriving Pearl Harbor in August, she soon steamed westward; and, from 14 September into March 1945, she laid and tended torpedo nets, moorings and buoys, and participated in various towing, salvage and demolition operations in the central Pacific Ocean.

By April, "Mahogany" had moved to the western Pacific Ocean for the invasion of Okinawa. She operated with minecraft during the 82 day campaign, 1 April to 21 July, and then remained in the Okinawa Gunto area until after the end of the war.

hipwrecked in a typhoon

On 14 September 1945 "Mahogany". caught in a typhoon, grounded on a reef in Buckner Bay. She was towed to Guam for repairs, but these promised to be so extensive that she was scrapped. After salvageable equipment had been removed, she decommissioned and her hulk was destroyed 19 April 1946 at Guam.

Honors and awards

"Mahogany" received one battle star for her participation in the Okinawa Gunto operation.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18023.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-18 / AN-23 Mahogany]