USS PC-1217

USS "PC-1217" was a "PC-461"-class submarine chaser of the United States Navy during World War II. Her keel was laid down on May 26, 1943 by the Luders Marine Construction Co., Stamford, Connecticut.She was launched on September 26, 1943, and commissioned on April 27, 1944 with Lieutenant Burt D. Reedy commanding and Lt(jg) Robert Bowles Exec. Lt(jg) Louis B. Pieper #3, Ensigns: William C. Graham and Robert K. McConnell.

The "PC-1217" shakedown cruise was out of Stamford, and then the U.S. Naval Frontier Base, Tompkinsville, Staten Island along the Atlantic coast. The ship's crew attended SCTC in Miami, Florida from February 1 1944 through April 20, 1944. The crew traveled north by rail to Stamford, and moved aboard the ship on April 22, 1944. During the late spring and summer of 1944, the "1217" (call sign NQXG) was assigned to convoy escort, anti-buzz-bomb and anti-submarine patrol duty with the Eastern Sea Frontier (the east coast from Canada down to Cuba). The "1217" made numerous voyages escorting convoys from New York City to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba and from Argentia, Newfoundland to New York City.

The "PC-1217" was on convoy duty escorting convoy NG 458 to Guantanamo Bay when it encountered the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 on September 12, 13, and 14. This was one of the largest Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded (Category 4) with estimated 140 mph (220 km/h) winds and a barometric low pressure of 27.75” (705 mmHg). The storm had a devastating effect on ships that were in its path. Five U.S. Navy ships were sunk and 344 sailors were killed in the storm. The "PC-1217" was severely damaged and put into Jacksonville, Florida for emergency repairs.

Successfully repaired, the "PC-1217" remained in service through World War Two. She was sold to the Maritime Commission in early 1948.

The remains of "PC-1217" are at a marine scrapyard at Rossville, on Staten Island in New York.

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/011217.htm Ship History and Photos]