USS Moonstone (PYc-9)

USS "Moonstone" (PYc-9) was a coastal patrol yacht in the service of the United States Navy. She was built in 1929 as "Nancy Baker" by Germaniawerft in Kiel, Germany, later renamed "Mona", and subsequently acquired by the Navy as the "Lone Star" on February 10 1941. Renamed "Moonstone" and designated PYc-9, she was converted for Navy service in Jacksonville, Florida, and commissioned on April 10 1941. She was named for the gemstone moonstone.

On May 2 1941 "Moonstone" sailed for patrol duty with the Panamanian Sea Frontier. She later sailed to Ecuador on January 2 1943 to aid in training that country's navy. In March 1943 she sailed to Charleston, South Carolina to prepare for permanent transfer to Ecuador. On her return at Balboa, Panama in July 1943, cracks were discovered in the cylinder blocks of her engine, and she was sent north for repairs. On October 16 1943, off the mouth of Indian River, Delaware Capes , she collided with USS "Greer" and sank immediately. All but one of "Moonstone's" complement survived. She was struck from the Naval Register on October 26 1943.

Her wreck lies 35 miles (56 km) southeast of Cape May, New Jersey, in 130 feet of water.

References

"This article includes text from the public domain" Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships"."

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m14/moonstone.htm history.navy.mil: USS "Moonstone"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/1409.htm navsource.org: PYc-9 "Moonstone"]
* [http://njscuba.net/sites/chart_deep_sea.html#Moonstone "Moonstone" wreck diving information]