- USS Beaufort (PCS-1387)
USS "Beaufort" (PCS-1387) – initially known as USS "PCS-1387" -- was a "PCS-1376"-class
submarine chaser acquired by theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II . Although constructed and designed as an anti-submarine patrol ship, she was used throughout the war, and afterwards, as atraining ship forsonar operators.Built at Whitestone, New York
The fourth ship to be so named by the Navy, "Beaufort" (PCS-1387) was laid down on
22 May 1943 atWhitestone, New York ; launched on10 October 1944 as simply "PCS-1387"; sponsored by Miss Barbara C. Dietz; and commissioned at theNew York Navy Yard on27 November 1944 , Lt. (jg.) Anthony C. Kupris,USNR , in command.World War II service
After fitting out, the subchaser embarked upon her shakedown cruise on
15 December . She conducted that training out ofKey West, Florida , between22 December 1944 and2 January 1945 .On the latter day, "PCS-1387" began duty with the Fleet Sonar School,
Key West, Florida , as a training platform for newsonarmen . She also doubled as harbor guard ship at Key West. Such training duties continued past the end of the war, through the late 1940's, and into the 1950's.The 1950's, however, brought an increase in the extent of her zone of operations for, after that time, she ranged the
Atlantic Ocean coast as far north asNarragansett Bay and south into theCaribbean Sea . On15 February 1956 , she was named "Beaufort". Just over a month later on26 March , "Beaufort" was decommissioned atSt. Petersburg, Florida .Continued duty as a training ship
Her usefulness to the Navy, however, did not end there. She was retained in service for another 11 years under the Commandant,
6th Naval District , as a training ship for naval reservists.Designated as a target ship
On
15 July 1967 , her name was struck from theNavy list , and she was turned over to theNaval Weapons Laboratory, Dahlgren, Virginia , for use as a target. Apparently, she was not totally destroyed because she was sold in July1972 to Mr. David Hahn ofBelize ,British Honduras .See also
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United States Navy
*World War II References
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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/071387.htm NavSource Online: Patrol Craft Sweeper - Photo Archive - Beaufort (PCS 1387) - ex-PCS-1387]
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