USS Poughkeepsie (PF-26)

USS "Poughkeepsie" (PF-26), a "Tacoma"-class frigate, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Poughkeepsie, New York.

"Poughkeepsie" (PF-26), was laid down for the Maritime Commission on 3 June 1943 by Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Inc., in Superior, Wisconsin; launched on 12 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Frank M. Doran; and transferred to the Navy and commissioned on 6 September 1944, with Commander Q. M. Greeley, USCG, in command.

After shakedown off Bermuda, "Poughkeepsie" called at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for post shakedown availability from 29 October through 31 January 1945. During February and March, she made one convoy escort run to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Then, after anti-submarine warfare (ASW) training in the New London Operating Area at the end of March, she commenced ASW patrols and convoy escort duties along the East Coast, operating between New York city and Norfolk, Virginia, through 3 July 1945.

Standing out of New York Harbor on 9 July, the frigate transited the Panama Canal, reported to Commander, Pacific Fleet, for duty, and put in at Seattle, Washington, to prepare for transfer to the Soviet Union. Leased to the Soviets starting on 2 October 1945, she served under the Soviet flag as EK-25 until 31 October 1949, when she was returned to the United States at Yokosuka, Japan.

"Poughkeepsie" remained at Yokosuka in an inactive status until nominated for transfer to Shipping Control Administration Japan (or SCAJAP) on 23 March 1951 for weather patrol duties. Transferred on loan to Japan on 14 January 1953, the frigate was renamed "Momi" (PF-284) and commenced operations under the Japanese flag. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1 December 1961, she was transferred to the Japanese outright on 28 August 1962. Decommissioned on 1 April 1965, she was used as a non-operable dockside training ship until early 1969 when she was transferred to South Korea for cannibalization.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p10/poughkeepsie.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Poughkeepsie"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08026.htm navsource.org: USS "Poughkeepsie"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pf26.htm hazegray.org: USS "Poughkeepsie"]