USS Manhasset (AG-47)

USS "Manhasset" (AG-47/YAG-8) – later known as USCGC "Manhasset" (WIX-276) – was a commercial cargo ship leased by the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was armed with guns and depth charges and was used as a weather patrol ship, a convoy escort, and as a patrol craft. She experienced action in the dangerous North Atlantic Ocean, but returned home safely after war’s end.

Constructed in Maryland

"Manhasset" (AG 47) was built by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Sparrows Point, Maryland, in 1923 as merchantman "Wilton"; acquired by the U.S. Maritime Commission from her owner, Eastern Steamship Lines, Inc., in 1941; transferred under time charter to the Navy 2 January 1942; renamed "Manhasset" and reclassified from "YAG-8" to "AG-47" on 30 May 1942; converted for use as a weather patrol ship by Sullivan Drydock and Repair Corp., Brooklyn, New York; and loaned to the U.S. Coast Guard and commissioned 8 August 1942, Lt. Comdr. P. L. Stinson, USCG, in command.

World War II operations

Equipped with specialized meteorological instruments, "Manhasset" joined the weather patrol in the North Atlantic Ocean to gather vital weather information used in compiling forecasts for Allied European operations against the Axis. She braved the dangers of stormy seas and the menace of German U-boats while operating her assigned and isolated patrol areas out of Argentia, Newfoundland, and Boston, Massachusetts. She averaged about one patrol a month, usually about three weeks long. "Manhasset" also patrolled and searched for German submarines. While cruising midway between Flemish Cap and Cape Farewell, Greenland, she depth charged a suspected U-boat, with no positive results, 27 April 1943. The following week convoy ONI-5 steamed through her patrol station, and on 5 May she provided support during one of the most savage convoy battles of World War II. The slow 43 ship convoy was attacked by U-boats between late 4 May and early 6 May. Although the convoy lost 13 ships during the hazardous passage from the United Kingdom to New York City, courageous escorts sank five submarines and repulsed the remainder. Never again did German submarines attack in such force. As "Manhasset" patrolled near the British merchant ship "Dolius", torpedoed and abandoned earlier in the day but still afloat, she made sound contact with a submarine late in the afternoon. She made six vigorous depth charge attacks and sighted first a periscope wake followed by an oil slick. However, she sighted no wreckage and broke off attack to guard the torpedoed ship after more than 2 hours of searching.

Transferred to the Coast Guard

"Manhasset" contained her weather station patrols during the rest of the war. The Navy transferred her to the U.S. Coast Guard 22 October 1943, and her name was struck from the Navy list 30 October 1943.

Post-war dispositioning

On 15 October 1945 she was decommissioned by the Coast Guard, and, on 16 October 1946, she was sold. Her subsequent fate is not known.

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49047.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - USCGC Manhasset (WIX-276) – ex - USS Manhasset (AG-47) (1942 - 1943) - Manhasset (YAG-8) (1942)]