USS Grebe (AM-43)

USS "Grebe" (AM-43) was a "Lapwing"-class minesweeper in the United States Navy.

"Grebe" was built by the Staten Island Steam Boat Co., was launched 17 December 1918; it was sponsored by Miss Emma Youmans and commissioned at the Brooklyn Navy Yard 1 May 1919; Lt. Niels Dustrup was in command. It served in many capacities until it was destroyed by a hurricane in 1943.

Post-World War I mine clearance

From 9 July 1919 until 1 October, "Grebe", based at Kirkwall, Orkneys, was part of a minesweeper flotilla clearing the North Sea of mines laid by the Allies during World War I. She returned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 28 November 1919 via Davenport, Brest, Lisbon, the Azores, Bermuda, and New York. After extensive repairs, "Grebe" moved to the Boston Navy Yard 4 November 1920; from there she sailed the coast from Maine to New Jersey calibrating radio compass stations and doing miscellaneous towing and rescue work. On 29 April 1921 she rescued 139 passengers from the Portuguese steamer SS "Mormugao", which had run aground off the Massachusetts coast.

North Atlantic operations

"Grebe's" next duty took her to Newport, Rhode Island, on 2 June; she escorted submarine G-1 in diving trials until 23 June when G-1 sank in 16 fathoms. After participating in salvage operations, "Grebe" returned to Boston, Massachusetts, on 22 July to resume radio compass station calibration and other duties. From there she made a round trip to Norfolk, Virginia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the Panama Canal Zone which occupied her from 1 December 1921 until 18 March 1922, when she returned to Portsmouth. There she decommissioned 12 May 1922. "Grebe" was recommissioned on 15 November 1922, Chief Boatswain Albert C. Fraenzel commanding. On 16 December she sailed for St. Thomas, capital of the Virgin Islands, where she served as station ship until 1931. "Grebe" made an average of a trip a week between St. Thomas, St. Croix, and San Juan carrying stores and passengers, both military and civilian; she also towed coal barges and dredges to San Juan, Fort de France, Martinique, and other Caribbean ports. While at St. Thomas, "Grebe" was invaluable in assisting disabled ships, mainly those grounded on coral reefs, and in searches for missing ships. This work was interrupted by a yearly 5-week repair period at Charleston, South Carolina.

Hurricane rescue work

"Grebe's" finest moment came in 1930. A hurricane laid waste large parts of the Dominican Republic and killed thousands in September. Carrying trained medical men and emergency supplies "Grebe" was the first ship to reach devastated Santo Domingo. She remained there 2 weeks, helping unload other ships and clear debris.
17 March 1931 "Grebe" brought Dr. Paul M. Pearson, Governor-appointee, and his staff from San Juan to St. Thomas; nucleus of the Virgin Island's first civilian government.

Towing the USS "Constitution"

"Grebe" then returned to Boston, Massachusetts. There on 12 July 1931 she took in tow historic USS "Constitution". A long campaign had resulted in restoration of the famed ship to its original condition, and "Grebe" was to spend the next 3 years as her tender and towing ship as they visited every major American port, East and West Coast. Millions of Americans thrilled to their heritage touring "Old Ironsides" in New York City, Norfolk, Key West, Galveston, Guantanamo, Los Angeles, Seattle, Bellingham, Portland, and the Panama Canal Zone.

Transfer to the Pacific Ocean

On 12 May 1934 "Grebe" relinquished her duties with "Constitution", entering the Philadelphia Navy Yard for overhaul. After a brief tour of duty at Norfolk, Virginia, 21 August to 14 September, she sailed for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, towed for fleet gunnery practice until 12 October, then sailed to San Pedro, California, arriving 19 November. Operating there until mid-1940; she performed a variety of tasks, including towing for target practice, participating in fleet problems, minesweeping exercises, training squadron details, and harbor service. Her tour there was interrupted by two voyages, the first to Pearl Harbor 6-31 May 1935 for fleet problems and the second to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Norfolk, Virginia, 26 December to 7 May 1939 for gunnery exercises.

Pearl Harbor assignment

Sailing from San Pedro, California, 3 June 1940, "Grebe" arrived in Pearl Harbor on 17 June to tow for gunnery and bombing practice, and participate in minesweeping training. Two trips back to the mainland, 1 August to 9 September and 27 September to 13 October 1941, in company with USS|Bobolink|AM-20 on passenger and stores runs interrupted her Hawaiian duty.

Under attack at Pearl Harbor

"Grebe" was in yard availability at Pearl Harbor 7 December 1941. Her 3" guns had been dismantled for the overhaul so she could fight only with rifles and pistols. She was credited with shooting down one of three unidentified planes flying low over the Navy Yard. On 24 January "Grebe" departed for Palmyra Island with YO-43 in tow where she arrived 5 days later. She returned to Honolulu on 5 February and continued from there until autumn. Her classification was changed to AT-134 on 1 June 1941. On 30 September "Grebe" joined a convoy for Johnston Island and returned on 9 October. On 9 November 1942 "Grebe" was underway again with YC-737 and YB-9 in tow and accompanying YO-44, for Canton Island. Calling there 25 November she proceeded to Pago Pago, Samoa arriving on 28 November.

Run aground and broken up by a hurricane

On 6 December 1942, "Grebe" was grounded while attempting to float SS "Thomas A. Edison" at Vuata Vatoa, Fiji Islands. Salvage operations were broken up by a hurricane that destroyed both ships on 1-2 January 1943. Her name was struck from the Navy List 28 July 1943.

Awards

"Grebe" earned one battle star for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Tugboat
* Minelayer

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02043.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Grebe (AT 134) - ex-AM-43]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5195.html USS Grebe (AM 43)]
* [http://members.aol.com/forcountry/ww2/shp.htm US Ships at Hawaii on December 7, 1941]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/branches/teach/pearl/aftermath/facts.htm Pearl Harbor: This is not a drill]