- USS Beaufort (PF-59)
USS "Beaufort" (PF-59) was a "Tacoma"-class
patrol frigate acquired by theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II . Although she was designed as apatrol craft , she was reconfigured and employed as aweather station ship in the NorthAtlantic Ocean . "Beaufort’s" task was to launchweather balloon s and transmit weather data viaradio to her shore-based commanders.Constructed in Superior, Wisconsin
The third U.S Navy ship to be so named, "Beaufort" (PF-59) laid down on
21 July 1943 atSuperior, Wisconsin , by the Globe Shipbuilding Co. under aU.S. Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1466); launched on9 October 1943 ; sponsored by Mrs. Elma G. Rodgers; accepted by the Navy on8 July 1944 .In-service
"Beaufort" was placed in service for the trip to
Boston, Massachusetts ; arrived at Boston on20 July 1944 ; placed out of service on29 July 1944 ; converted to a weather station ship at theBoston Navy Yard ; and commissioned on28 August 1944 , Lt. Comdr. George R. Boyce,USCG , temporarily in command.World War II service
During the following week, "Beaufort" completed fitting out and received a new commanding officer, Lt. B. R. Henry, USCG. On
8 September , she got underway for a shakedown cruise toBermuda .The ship arrived back at Boston on
6 October . After a nine-day repair period, the patrol frigate headed for Hussey Sound -- nearPortland, Maine -- for five days of training before returning to Boston. Soon thereafter, she sailed forArgentia, Newfoundland . During the remainder of World War II and for some seven months thereafter, she operated out of Argentia as a weather station ship with additional duty as a plane guard and air-sea rescue ship.Under Coast Guard cognizance
In March
1946 , she was temporarily assigned to theU.S. Coast Guard pending inactivation. "Beaufort" reported to the Commandant,5th Naval District , on28 March 1946 and was decommissioned atNorfolk, Virginia , on19 April 1946 .Post-war dispositioning
Her name was struck from the
Navy list on21 May 1946 , and she was sold to theSun Shipbuilding & Drydock Company ,Chester, Pennsylvania , on11 April 1947 for scrapping.ee also
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United States Navy
*World War II References
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08059.htm NavSource Online: Frigate Photo Archive - Beaufort (PF-59) - ex-PG-167]
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