USS Cinchona (AN-12)

USS "Cinchona" (AN-12/YN-7) 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 Portland, Oregon

"Cinchona" (YN-7) was launched 2 July 1941 by Commercial Iron Works, Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Mrs. W. Casey; outfitted by Puget Sound Navy Yard; and placed in service 15 August 1941, Lieutenant H. H. Breed, USNR, in charge.

World War II service

Assigned to the 14th Naval District, she arrived at Pearl Harbor 17 October where she took up duty in net repair and replacement, salvage of gear lost or adrift, and maintenance of net and boom defenses.

Under attack at Pearl Harbor

During the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941, "Cinchona" manned both her machine guns and her 3" gun, and, as the enemy repeatedly strafed her deck, she closed the gaps in the net defenses protecting the dry-docks.

Continuing her salvage operations in the Hawaiian group, "Cinchona" salvaged district patrol craft "YP-108" off Lanai in June 1942, and in August escorted a motor torpedo boat convoy to Midway Islands, where she installed nets around the dock spaces, returning to Pearl Harbor early in September.

She was placed in commission 20 December 1942, her officer-in-charge Lieutenant T. A. Ingham receiving the title commanding officer. She continued local operations at Pearl Harbor, and on 20 January 1944 was redesignated "AN-12".

aipan operations

"Cinchona" arrived off newly invaded Saipan 16 June 1944. She conducted patrols, assisted "LST-84" after an enemy bomb started a fire on board, then inspected the Japanese net line in Tanapag Harbor. She remained at Saipan on salvage and net operations until 18 November when she steamed to Guam and Ulithi to lay cables.

From 7 December 1944 to 30 June 1945 "Cinchona" conducted net operations, laid moorings, and aided in installing a pipeline at Guam.

Post-war activity

Returning to the States 27 July, she conducted net operations at Long Beach, California, and out of Mare Island Naval Shipyard until 24 August 1946 when she sailed for Astoria, Oregon.

Post-war decommissioning

"Cinchona" was placed out of commission in reserve 6 November 1946 at Vancouver, Washington.

Honors and awards

"Cinchona" received two battle stars for World War II service. The first was for her performance at Pearl Harbor while under attack by Japanese planes. The second was for her operating under dangerous conditions during the Mariana Islands operation.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18012.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - USS Cinchona (AN-12) – ex - USS Cinchona (YN-7) (1942 - 1944) - Cinchona (YN-7) (1941 - 1942)]