SC-497-class submarine chaser


The SC-497-class submarine chasers were a class of 438 submarine chasers built primarily for the United States Navy from 1941-1944. The SC-497s were based on the experimental submarine chaser, USS SC-453. Production began in 1941 and continued until they were succeeded by the SC-1466-class submarine chaser in 1944. Submarine chasers of this variety were collectively nicknamed "the splinter fleet" due to their wooden hulls.

History

The SC-497s were off-shore patrol and anti-submarine warfare vessels. Seventy of the SC-497s were converted into patrol control crafts, 18 were converted into coastal minesweepers, and 8 were converted into patrol gunboats, motor.
Sixteen SC-497s were lost and another one was lost after her conversion into a.
Despite the large number of SC-497s, none are credited with destroying an enemy ship.
During World War II, 142 SC-497-class submarine chasers were lent to allies of the United States as part of the Lend-Lease program. Seventy-eight were sent to the Soviet Union, 50 to France, 8 to Brazil, 3 to Norway, and 3 to Mexico. The three Norwegian examples served with distinction on the Shetland bus service, running agents, refugees and weapons past the German blockade between occupied Norway and Britain.

Survivors

is preserved at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Some remains of and can be seen near the coast of Sweden.