- USS Simon Newcomb (AGSC-14)
USS "Simon Newcomb" (AGSC-14/YMS-263) was a YMSsub|135 acquired by the
U.S. Navy duringWorld War II , and whose task was assisting inminesweeping and surveying coastal waters.History
"YMS-263" was laid down on
21 August 1942 by the South Coast Co.,Newport Beach, California ; launched on2 November 1942 ; and commissioned on11 August 1943 ."YMS-263" completed fitting out and shakedown in the
San Diego, California , area from15 October to3 November . She then performed sweeping operations inLos Angeles Harbor until sailing forKauai ,Territory of Hawaii , on5 January 1944 . FromHawaii , the sweeper was ordered to theMarshall Islands to sweep during the amphibious assault onKwajalein andMajuro Atolls from31 January to8 February .Majuro was the sweeper's main base during the next 11 months. From July to December, she made escort trips toTarawa andEniwetok . On6 December 1944 , she was ordered to return toSan Pedro, California , viaJohnston Island andPearl Harbor .The minesweeper arrived at San Pedro on
17 January and entered the yard of the Wilmington Boat Works for conversion to an amphibioushydrographic survey ship. On20 March , "YMS-263" was redesignated AGS-14 and named "Simon Newcomb". On21 April , she was ready for sea and departed for Majuro via Pearl Harbor and Johnston Island. "Simon Newcomb" called atEniwetok on1 June and proceeded toGuam , arriving there on7 June . She operated from there for the next five months, performing hydrographic work; sometimes as far afield asOkinawa ."Simon Newcomb" returned to the west coast on
25 December 1945 and was routed toNorfolk, Virginia , via thePanama Canal , arriving on21 January 1946 . From early February to2 May , the survey ship operated with a hydrographic party off theBahama Islands . On29 July , she was redesignated as AGSC-14. After seven days atBoothbay, Maine , in November, "Simon Newcomb" moved south on the 26th and operated betweenKey West, Florida ,Vera Cruz, Mexico , andNew Orleans, Louisiana , until10 April 1948 when she returned to Norfolk.She operated in northern waters for the next eight months, plying between
New York ,Argentia andLabrador . "Simon Newcomb" returned to Key West on18 December 1948 and operated from there until10 April 1949 when she resumed her northern station. On9 August she ran hard aground atMother Burns Cove , Labrador. She was refloated, patched up, and towed to Norfolk for disposal."Simon Newcomb" was decommissioned on
10 November 1949 , struck from theNavy list on31 January 1950 , and sold to B. F. M. Industries,Brooklyn, New York , on25 April for scrap.Awards and honors
"Simon Newcomb" received one
battle star forWorld War II service.References
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See also
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List of United States Navy ships
*USS Newcomb (DD-586) External links
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