USS ''Havre'' (PCE(C)-877) was a
United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...
escort in commission from 14 February 1944 to 1 July 1970. She served in the Central Pacific during
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, supporting invasions of
Battle of Iwo Jima
The Battle of Iwo Jima (19 February – 26 March 1945) was a major battle in which the United States Marine Corps (USMC) and United States Navy (USN) landed on and eventually captured the island of Iwo Jima from the Imperial Japanese Army (IJ ...
and the
Battle of Okinawa
The , codenamed Operation Iceberg, was a major battle of the Pacific War fought on the island of Okinawa by United States Army (USA) and United States Marine Corps (USMC) forces against the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA). The initial invasion of ...
, and was present in Tokyo Bay for the formal
Surrender of Japan
The surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War II was announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August and formally signed on 2 September 1945, bringing the war's hostilities to a close. By the end of July 1945, the Imperial Japanese Navy ...
on 2 September 1945. Unlike other ships from this class, which were scrapped or sold to other nations, the vessel stayed the property of the United States Navy, which transferred ownership to the
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve (USNR), known as the United States Naval Reserve from 1915 to 2005, is the Reserve Component (RC) of the United States Navy. Members of the Navy Reserve, called Reservists, are categorized as being in either the Sele ...
as Naval Reserve Training Ship for 9th Naval District (Chicago) in April 1954. She was renamed USS ''Havre'' (PCE-877) on 15 February 1956 as part of a Navy-wide initiative to provide names to all numbered ships. ''Havre'' served on the
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes of North America, are a series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in the mid-east region of North America that connect to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence River. There are five lakes ...
until struck from Navy List on 1 July 1970.
Construction and commissioning
The USS Havre was laid down on 6 May 1943 at
Albina Engine & Machine Works,
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...
, as Patrol Craft Escort, PCE-877. The PCEs were designed for general escort work and provided a cheaper and quicker alternative to the larger destroyers, while maintaining a substantial amount of detection and ranging gear used for locating submarines. The ship was launched 11 August 1943. The launching of the PCE 877 was a celebrated occasion that was noted in the 10 August 1943 edition of the
Corvallis Gazette-Times
The ''Corvallis Gazette-Times'' is a daily newspaper for Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, United States. The newspaper, along with its sister publication, the ''Albany Democrat-Herald'' of neighboring Albany, Oregon, is owned by Lee Enterprises ...
of
Corvallis, Oregon
Corvallis ( ) is a city and the county seat of Benton County in central western Oregon, United States. It is the principal city of the Corvallis, Oregon Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Benton County. As of the 2020 United ...
. On 11 August 1943, Marjorie L. Wooton, daughter of local Colonel Elmer V. Wooton, recent recipient of the
Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) is a military decoration of the United States Army that is presented to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious service to the government in a duty of great responsibility. Th ...
, christened the PCE 877 in the presence of a crowd that included Oregon governor
Earl Snell.
The PCE-877 was commissioned on 14 February 1944 at the
Albina Engine & Machine Works shipyard,
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...
. According to the U.S. Navy Muster Rolls, the PCE-877 set out with Commanding Officer Coleman H. Smith, Lieutenant, USNR, Executive Officer John R. Shea, Jr., Lieutenant, USNR, several additional officers and an initial crew of 87. The vessel received its fitting out and shakedown over the next six weeks, departing
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...
on 25 February 1944, docking in
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a port city and the seat of Clatsop County, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1811, Astoria is the oldest city in the state and was the first permanent American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. The county is the northwest corne ...
on 26 February 1944, arriving in San Pedro, California (SCTC
Terminal Island
Terminal Island, historically known as Isla Raza de Buena Gente, is a largely artificial island located in Los Angeles County, California, between the neighborhoods of Wilmington and San Pedro in the city of Los Angeles, and the city of Long Be ...
) on 6 March 1944, before finally arriving at
Naval Base San Diego
Naval Base San Diego, also known as 32nd Street Naval Station, is the second largest surface ship base of the United States Navy and is located in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, cons ...
, California on 21 March 1944.
Service history
World War II Pacific Theatre operations
Initial Deployment, Conversion to Control Vessel
Starting 1 April 1944, the PCE-877 began its escort duties as Patrol and Escort, Central Pacific region, while still based at
Naval Base San Diego
Naval Base San Diego, also known as 32nd Street Naval Station, is the second largest surface ship base of the United States Navy and is located in San Diego, California. Naval Base San Diego is the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, cons ...
. At 1200 hours on 11 September 1944, the PCE-877 officially was underway to
Naval Station Pearl Harbor
Naval Station Pearl Harbor is a United States naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In 2010, along with the United States Air Force's Hickam Air Force Base, the facility was merged to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. Pearl Harbor is ...
as part of Task Unit 116.1.2. The ship proceeded to the northern part of
San Clemente Island
San Clemente Island (Tongva: ''Kinkipar''; Spanish: ''Isla de San Clemente'') is the southernmost of the Channel Islands of California. It is owned and operated by the United States Navy, and is a part of Los Angeles County. It is administered b ...
, California where the crew "ran a measured mile to check the accuracy and adjust our newly installed DRT (
Dead Reckoning Tracer)."
At 1030 hours 19 September 1944, the PCE-877 arrived at
Naval Station Pearl Harbor
Naval Station Pearl Harbor is a United States naval base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. In 2010, along with the United States Air Force's Hickam Air Force Base, the facility was merged to form Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. Pearl Harbor is ...
,
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
for conversion to a Central Control Vessel for Amphibious Force. The Navy control groups were responsible for the control of the assault waves of landing ships, landing craft, and amphibious vehicles from the transport and landing ship areas to the landing beaches. From 20 September 1944 to 3 November 1944 the ship was docked at D.E. Dock #1 Pearl Harbor for the installation of radio and communications equipment. During this period, the crew "conducted various exercises and tests throughout month. All gun crews attended AA schools. Damage Control parties attended fire fighting school. AS/W attack team spent one day operating with tame submerging and attended attack teacher a total of 8 hours."
Refitting was completed on 2 December 1944, and for six days the PCE-877 acted as
Officer in tactical command In NATO, the officer in tactical command (OTC) is the naval officer exercising tactical command of a group of ships in a tactical formation such as a task unit, task group, or task force.
Ships travelling together on a specific mission might hav ...
(OTC) for a training group of control vessels between Pearl Harbor and
Waianae, Hawaii
Waianae () is a census-designated place (CDP) in Honolulu County, Hawaii, United States. As of the 2020 census, the CDP population was 13,614.
Its name means "waters of the mullet". Its etymology is shared with the far northern Wellington subu ...
. A second series of drills and exercises starting 18 December 1944 running nine days saw the PCE-877 acting as an Escort Commander for screening and as a Line of Departure Control Vessel in simulated landing operations.
On 14 December 1944, Lieutenant Coleman H. Smith, USNR, was relieved as Commanding Officer of the PCE-877 by Lieutenant John R. Shea, Jr., USNR. Lieutenant James B. Brady, USNR was promoted to Executive Officer. (Lt. Smith would advance to the rank of Commander, and after the war was a long-serving director of the War Gaming Department at the US
Naval War College in
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is an American seaside city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island. It is located in Narragansett Bay, approximately southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, Providence, south of Fall River, Massachusetts, south of Boston, ...
.)
The PCE-877 participated in several additional exercises on 3 January 1945 (three days) and 11 January 1945 (eight days) as part of Administrative Command Amphibious Forces, US Pacific Fleet. The ship was ordered to move to mooring Easy 7 at Pearl Harbor for logistics and supply.
Battle of Iwo Jima
On 22 January 1945, the PCE-877 departed Pearl Harbor as part of Task Force 51, Joint Expeditionary Force, Commander Amphibious Forces Pacific 53.3, conducting screening operations for Tractor Group BAKER en-route to
Eniwetok Atoll
Enewetak Atoll (; also spelled Eniwetok Atoll or sometimes Eniewetok; mh, Ānewetak, , or , ; known to the Japanese as Brown Atoll or Brown Island; ja, ブラウン環礁) is a large coral atoll of 40 islands in the Pacific Ocean and with it ...
in the
Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands ( mh, Ṃajeḷ), officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands ( mh, Aolepān Aorōkin Ṃajeḷ),'' () is an independent island country and microstate near the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, slightly west of the Internati ...
, arriving 3 February 1945. After two days of logistics and resupply, Tractor Group BAKER continued on to
Saipan
Saipan ( ch, Sa’ipan, cal, Seipél, formerly in es, Saipán, and in ja, 彩帆島, Saipan-tō) is the largest island of the Northern Mariana Islands, a Commonwealth (U.S. insular area), commonwealth of the United States in the western Pa ...
, the largest island of the
Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands, officially the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI; ch, Sankattan Siha Na Islas Mariånas; cal, Commonwealth Téél Falúw kka Efáng llól Marianas), is an unincorporated territory and commonw ...
, with PCE-877 continuing patrol and screening operations. The group arrived in Saipan Harbor the morning of 10 February 1945.
Starting 12 February 1945, the PCE 877 continued as Central Control Vessel as part of nighttime landing exercises. There was difficulty in re-embarking the LVTs (
Landing Vehicle Tracked
The Amphibious Vehicle, Tracked (LVT) is an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft, introduced by the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. (The USN and USMC use "L" to designate Amphibious vessels, also c ...
), as their parent LST (
Landing Ship Tank) had moved to a sheltered position, and the PCE-877 "acted as a guide to round up stray LVTs and help them to their mother ship."
After completing logistical operations in Saipan Harbor, the PCE-877 shipped out at 1350 hours on 15 February 1945, proceeding as part of TU 51.13.6, performing screening operations for Tractor Group BAKER, en-route to
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima (, also ), known in Japan as , is one of the Japanese Volcano Islands and lies south of the Bonin Islands. Together with other islands, they form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The highest point of Iwo Jima is Mount Suribachi at high.
...
, Volcano Islands, to join the invasion force. On 18 February 1945, the PCE-877 encountered a radar contact at 2,000 yards, readied for a depth charge attack, but "at 300 yards it became apparent that our contact was
school oflarge fish."
At 0540 of 19 February 1945, the PCE-877 secured from screening operations and proceeded independently to assume duties as Central Control Vessel. Once at the transport area, the ship began dispatching waves of landing craft on schedule. All assault waves were dispatched on schedule, and the ship maintained station for the entire day, except when on standby as rescue vessel for the U.S.S. LSM 211 (
Landing Ship Medium) 211. (see
List of United States Navy Landing Ship Medium (LSMs)
This is a list of Landing Ship Medium (LSMs) built by the United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It i ...
). The PCE-877 was under fire several times, but received no hits., which had been damaged by mortar fire. The PCE-877 stayed on station until 21 February 1945, then left station and conducted rescue and salvage operations, aiding stray and sinking LVTs and
LCVP (United States)
The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively by the Allies of World War II, Allied forces in amphibious landings in World War II. Typically constructed from plywood, this shallow-draft, barge- ...
. Rough seas caused several craft to drift seaward. "One One LVT was stripped of salvageable items and sunk by gunfire from this vessel." This LVT eventually collided with the PCE-877's starboard propeller while tied alongside, causing slight damage.
On 22 February 1945, the ship conducted patrols in the area, and two days later joined TU 51.2 for screening duties as the convoy left the operations area en-route to
Leyte
Leyte ( ) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. It is eighth-largest and sixth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 2,626,970 as of 2020 census.
Since the accessibility of land has be ...
,
Philippines
The Philippines (; fil, Pilipinas, links=no), officially the Republic of the Philippines ( fil, Republika ng Pilipinas, links=no),
* bik, Republika kan Filipinas
* ceb, Republika sa Pilipinas
* cbk, República de Filipinas
* hil, Republ ...
by way of Saipan. On 2 March 1945, the PCE-877 anchored in the outer harbor of Saipan and proceeded with logistics, but was not able to complete refueling in the short time allowed for the group, and continued underway on 3 March 1945. At 1630 on 9 March 1945 the PCE-877 anchored off
Dulag, Leyte
Dulag (IPA: ʊ'lag, officially the Municipality of Dulag ( war, Bungto han Dulag; tl, Bayan ng Dulag), is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 48,992 people.
This ...
. Starting 10 March 1945, the ship took aboard stores and provisions and made repairs on sound gear (due to a transformer failure) and on the starboard screw. The damage to the propeller caused "excessive vibrations which had been present at speeds between 11 and 14 knots." Starting 15 March 1945, the PCE-877 acted as the central control vessel directing practice landings on Leyte, while completing the sonar and propeller repairs over ten days.
Battle of Okinawa
On 24 March 1945 the PCE-877 departed
Leyte
Leyte ( ) is an island in the Visayas group of islands in the Philippines. It is eighth-largest and sixth-most populous island in the Philippines, with a total population of 2,626,970 as of 2020 census.
Since the accessibility of land has be ...
Bay with ComLST Flotilla 21 en-route for Okinawa. The fleet encountered six days of increasing high seas (categorized as "high" with up to 30 foot waves on the
Douglas sea scale and winds topping 55 knots). The storm ended on 31 March 1945, and the fleet arrived on 1 April 1945 to waters off
Okinawa Island
is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu (''Nansei'') Islands of Japan in the Kyushu region. It is the smallest and least populated of the five main islands of Japan. The island is approximately long, an average wide, and has an ...
.
The PCE-877 was detached from screening duties and proceeded to attack station, which was assumed on schedule. "Enemy aircraft caused interference for a short period of time during approach to station, but the principal cause of concern was the closeness of our own ship's anti-aircraft fire.". The ship went on night retirement with units of Tractor Group "Dog", and was able to refuel on 2 April 1945. Working again at night that evening with Tractor Group "Dog", an "error in navigation led the group into dangerous water on the west side of Mae Shima
ic - Maejimaand this ship left screening station to keep clear of the reefs.". Later that morning at 0118 3 April 1945 a mine-like object was sighted and sunk by small arms fire from the PCE-877. The ship continued on night work for several days, and managed to avoid "suicide planes" that attacked ships in the transport area. "Friendly ships fired and shot down three FMs
Mitsubishi F1M over land in the vicinity of the airstrip east of Purple Beach."
On 8 April 1945, the PCE-877 proceeded from an anchorage off the western beaches of Okinawa to anchor in Karame Retto harbor (
Kerama Islands), and the next day rendezvoused with the flotilla and proceeded to
Guam
Guam (; ch, Guåhan ) is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States in the Micronesia subregion of the western Pacific Ocean. It is the westernmost point and territory of the United States (reckoned from the geographic cent ...
. Along the way on 10 April 1945 the ship made an urgent attack with a shallow pattern of depth charges on what turned out to be a whale. On 13 April 1945, the crew received of the death of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (; ; January 30, 1882April 12, 1945), often referred to by his initials FDR, was an American politician and attorney who served as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945. As the ...
, and a five-minute silence and prayer in his memory was observed on 14 April 1945. On 16 April orders came in that the group was to be diverted to
Ulithi
Ulithi ( yap, Wulthiy, , or ) is an atoll in the Caroline Islands of the western Pacific Ocean, about east of Yap.
Overview
Ulithi consists of 40 islets totaling , surrounding a lagoon about long and up to wide—at one of the largest i ...
Atoll in the
Caroline Islands for a 21-day availability, arriving 17 April 1945. Over these three weeks, the main engine was overhauled, further repairs to the starboard propeller we attempted and continued vibration issues reported to Service Squadron Ten.
On 13 May 1945, the PCE-877 reported ready for sea, and was assigned as an escort vessel for Task Unit 94.18.10 heading back to Okinawa, departing 15 May 1945. The ship arrived at Okinawa 21 May 1945 and was ordered to continue screening and patrolling off the western beaches of Okinawa. At 2140 on 24 May 1945, "an enemy Betty (
Mitsubishi G4M bomber) flying at 2000 ft. was taken under fire. 3 rounds of 3"/50; 119 rounds of 40MM and 97 rounds of 20MM ammunition were expended." Numerous enemy raids were reported over the next several days, but the PCE-877.
At 0012 on 28 May 1945, an enemy plane passed directly overhead, causing radar-controlled anti-aircraft fire for several minutes, with hundreds of rounds bursting close aboard. No serious casualties were reported, with two men slightly wounded. Twelve minutes later (0024) an enemy suicide plane crashed into the USS LCS 119 (
Landing Craft Support
The Landing Craft, Support (Large) were two distinct classes of amphibious warfare vessels were used by the United States Navy (USN) in the Pacific and the Royal Navy in World War II. The USN versions which were later reclassified Landing Ship S ...
) just to the south of the PCE-877's position. The PCE-877 was the closest ship and proceeded to the LCS 119's aid. "The ship had been hit just aft of amidships on the starboard side and was burning badly. She had no pressure on her fire main and her magazines amidships were exploding. We were forced to back clear of her after coming alongside as an enemy plane was sighted several miles distance and approaching. We fired on this plane expending 1 round of 3"/50 and 24 rounds of 40mm ammunition. After firing, a small fire was observed in this plane. The plane was then fired on by another vessel after having passed over us. It turned in a slow circle and again approached this vessel but burned and crashed out of control 2,000 yards to our starboard beam. We then lowered our motor whale boat and proceeded alongside the U.S.S. LCS 119 to pick up survivors. 61 survivors from a crew of 75 were rescued, given first aid treatment and later turned over to the USS PCE(R)-855
later named USS Rexburg - an Experimental Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue)">USS_Rexburg.html" ;"title="later named USS Rexburg">later named USS Rexburg - an Experimental Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue) Ten of the survivors were seriously wounded stretcher cases and a majority of the survivors were burned to varying degrees. At 0412 the port main engine failed due to a break in a lube oil line which in turn stripped a series of bearings on the crankshaft." At 1640 the PCE-877 was ordered to Kerama Retto for repairs, where the ship was anchored from 29 May 1945 to 8 June 1945.
On 9 June 1945 the PCE-877 relieved the PCS-1460 (Patrol Craft Sweeper) as patrol near Chimu Wan / Kin Bay area, and that evening encountered a native canoe at 0020. "Four men were in this canoe. The canoe was illuminated and two occupants took to the water about one mile from land. We fired upon the canoe when it became apparent that the canoe would be able to beach before we could get underway and the last two occupants took to the water. We destroyed the canoe and established a patrol in search for the swimmers but were unable to locate them. Numerous large snakes and other marine life were seen in the water which was not an inviting place to swim." The PCE-877 was then ordered to proceed to Hagushi on western Okinawa to prepare to join a convoy as an escort.
The PCE-877 sailed with TU 31.29.3 to Ulithi from 11 June to 17 June 1945, and then joined TU 11.11.4 bound for Leyte Island, Philippines as an escort from 18–21 June 1945. For nine days through 30 June 1945, the ship underwent repairs and logistics, including replacing the problematic starboard propeller. While at Leyte Island, the ship participated in amphibious training practice with Army troops at Hinunangan Bay from 1 July to 8 July, and then was sent to
U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
Naval Base Subic Bay was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the Spanish Navy and subsequently the United States Navy located in Zambales, Philippines. The base was 262 square miles, about the size of Singapore. Th ...
for an engine overhaul and eight days availability.
For the remainder of July 1945 through 24 August 1945, the ship was stationed in Subic Bay and
Lingayen Bay participating in further training exercises in amphibious landings conducted with Army troops, as well as patrol and escort duties. On 31 July 1945, the ship was designated as a senior escort vessel and commander of the
anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare (ASW, or in older form A/S) is a branch of underwater warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, submarines, or other platforms, to find, track, and deter, damage, or destroy enemy submarines. Such operations are t ...
(ASW) screen in the transport anchorage area.
Japan Surrender
The crew of the PCE-877 was participating in amphibious training practice with Army troops in and around
Luzon
Luzon (; ) is the largest and most populous island in the Philippines. Located in the northern portion of the Philippines archipelago, it is the economic and political center of the nation, being home to the country's capital city, Manila, as ...
and Subic Bay when the
atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
The United States detonated two atomic bombs over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on 6 and 9 August 1945, respectively. The two bombings killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the onl ...
took place on 6 August and 9 August 1945. Japan then surrendered to the Allies on 15 August 1945. It is uncertain when news of the surrender and the end of hostilities reached the PCE-877 crew (Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz sent out a telegram to the entire Pacific Fleet on 15 August 1945. The ship continued to patrol and provide escort in the Philippines following completion of the amphibious training on 17 August 1945.
Administratively, the PCE-877 was formally reclassified PCE(C)-877 on 20 August 1945 (even though the conversion to Escort-Control took place 10 months prior at Pearl Harbor). And in late August 1945, Commanding Officer Lieutenant John R. Shea, Jr., USNR, was relieved by Lieutenant Christian G. ("Dutch") Schmidt, USNR. Lieutenant Wirt P. Hoxie, USNR, replaced Lt. James B. Brady as Executive Officer. Lt. Shea would later be promoted to Lieutenant Commander and receive the Bronze Star for the Iwo Jima engagements.
On 25 August 1945 the PCE-877 received orders to escort Transport Group Able en-route to Tokyo Area. The ship had to return to Subic Bay due to weather conditions that day, but then set out at 1738 on 27 August 1945 for Tokyo. The group arrived in the afternoon of 1 September 1945, and the surrender was recorded as 0904 local time 2 September 1945 on the
USS Missouri (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay. The PCE(C)-877 is listed as
one of five allied Submarine Chasers present for the formal surrender.
Of the 77 listed crew members in September 1945, 56 had served on the PCE-877 since commission on 14 February 1944 (72%). After the surrender, the ship was stationed in
Yokohama
is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...
Bay off of Tokyo Bay through early October 1945. The ship had a large amounts of "Speed Letters" indicating discharges and a imminent return stateside in late September and early October 1945.
Post-War Atlantic operations
Following the end of World War II, the PCE(C)-877 returned to the United States by way of Pearl Harbor (December 1945-January 1946), where Commanding Officer Lieutenant Christian G. ("Dutch") Schmidt, USNR was relieved by Lieutenant Junior Grade John P. Johnson, USNR, with Lt. (jg) Clifford I.D. Beck appointed as Executive Officer.
After leaving Pearl Harbor, the PCE(C)-877 shipped to San Diego (February 1946),
Balboa, Panama
Balboa is a district of Panama City, located at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal.
History
The town of Balboa, founded by the United States during the construction of the Panama Canal, was named after Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the Spani ...
Canal Zone (March 1946), finally arriving in
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina, the county seat of Charleston County, and the principal city in the Charleston–North Charleston metropolitan area. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint o ...
, in late March 1946. Lt. (jg) Lawrence E. Stream, USNR was appointed Executive Officer on 11 March 1946 after Lt.(jg) Beck was discharged. On 20 April 1946, Commanding Officer Lieutenant (jg) John P. Johnson, USNR was discharged, and XO Lt. (jg) Lawrence E. Stream was discharged on 1 May 1946. In fact, while the PCE(C)-877 had a post-war operating allowance of 67 crew members, records show on 1 April 1946 that only 44 crew remained on board, and by 1 July 1946, only 26 crew members were aboard. On 20 April 1946, Lieutenant William George (W.G.) Mann, Jr., USNR assumed command of the PCE(C)-877.
From 1946 to April 1954 the ship was attached to Amphibious Control Squadron 2, exercising control and coordinating amphibious forces in the assaults from the sea and supporting embarked Marine forces once they are established ashore. During this assignment, the PCE(C)-877 engaged in exercises in the North Atlantic,
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay ( ) is the largest estuary in the United States. The Bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula (including the parts: the ...
, and the
Caribbean Sea
The Caribbean Sea ( es, Mar Caribe; french: Mer des Caraïbes; ht, Lanmè Karayib; jam, Kiaribiyan Sii; nl, Caraïbische Zee; pap, Laman Karibe) is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean in the tropics of the Western Hemisphere. It is bounded by Mexico ...
.
Naval Reserve Training Ship - Great Lakes
In April 1954, the PCE(C)-877 was transitioned from active duty and reassigned as a Naval Reserve Training Ship for 9th Naval District. The ship proceeded from the Gulf of Mexico, via the Mississippi River and Illinois River to Chicago and reported to
Naval Station Great Lakes
Naval Station Great Lakes (NAVSTA Great Lakes) is the home of the United States Navy's only recruit training, boot camp, located near North Chicago, Illinois, North Chicago, in Lake County, Illinois. Important tenant commands include the Recruit ...
. This coincided with the creation of the new Gunnery School at the Naval Station, which was dedicated in March 1954. On 27 October 1955, the ship was reclassified to PCE-877, its original classification, as it was no longer coordinating amphibious assaults and landings. Just four months later, on 15 February 1956, the ship was renamed the USS Havre (PCE-877) as part of a Navy-wide initiative to provide names to all remaining numbered ships. During its operation, the USS Havre (PCE-877) operated throughout the Great Lakes, engaging in 2-week cruises which provided valuable training for Naval Reservists, including anti-submarine warfare and gunnery exercises.
Decommissioning
The PCE-877's final voyage was sailing with the Ninth Naval District Reserve Destroyer Division fleet. The USS Havre (PCE-877) had spent sixteen years primarily moored at USNTC Pier Great Lakes Illinois. At 0603 on Monday 27 April 1970, the ship slipped its lines for the final time in Illinois and made voyage for Philadelphia. At 1925 the ship moored port side to the USCG Pier in
Manistee, Michigan, meeting up with the USS Portage (PCE-902) and USS Ely (PCE-880). The USS Havre (PCE-877) and USS Ely (PCE-880) steamed out of Manistee together on 28 April 1970, crossed under the Mackinac Bridge at 20:31 and put into port at
St. Ignace Municipal Pier at 22:05. On 30 April 1970 the two ships arrived and docked at Port Huron Seaway Terminal Pier in
Port Huron, Michigan at 1609.
Both the 877 and 880 stayed in Port Huron until joined by the USS Portage (PCE-902) on 2 May 1970, where the three ships continued through Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River, entering Lake Erie at 1420. The three ships entered the
Maumee River
The Maumee River (pronounced ) ( sjw, Hotaawathiipi; mia, Taawaawa siipiiwi) is a river running in the United States Midwest from northeastern Indiana into northwestern Ohio and Lake Erie. It is formed at the confluence of the St. Joseph and ...
and moored at the Toledo Marine Terminal Pier at 1908. On 4 May 1970 the ships departed Toledo Harbor and steamed for
Cleveland
Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...
, and then
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 a ...
on 5 May 1970,
Buffalo Harbor on 6 May 1970. On 9 May 1970, the ships moved west to an anchorage near
Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada and then entered the Welland Canal the next day, entering Lake Ontario at 1812 in a column formation and on 11 May 1945 embarked various Seaway Pilots for transiting segments of the
St. Lawrence Seaway
The St. Lawrence Seaway (french: la Voie Maritime du Saint-Laurent) is a system of locks, canals, and channels in Canada and the United States that permits oceangoing vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes of North Americ ...
, and mooring on 12 May 1945 in
Montreal
Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...
,
Quebec
Quebec ( ; )According to the Canadian government, ''Québec'' (with the acute accent) is the official name in Canadian French and ''Quebec'' (without the accent) is the province's official name in Canadian English is one of the thirtee ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
. Joining the trio in Montreal were the USS Whitehall (PCE-856) and the USS Hollidaysburg (PCS-1385). The next day (13 May), the PCE-877 arrived in
Quebec City
Quebec City ( or ; french: Ville de Québec), officially Québec (), is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Communauté métrop ...
, along with new member of the group USS Parle (DE 708). On 14 May 1970, the six ships (now called Task Unit 132.9.1) departed in a column formation, steaming for
Halifax,
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland".
Most of the population are native Eng ...
, arriving the morning of 17 May 1970, and departing again the next morning for Naval Weapons Station Earle Pier Complex, Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey, arriving the morning of 20 May 1970. At 1200 the crew commenced offloading all remaining ammunition. The task unit then steamed around
Cape May,
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...
, entering the
Delaware River
The Delaware River is a major river in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. From the meeting of its branches in Hancock (village), New York, Hancock, New York, the river flows for along the borders of N ...
Channel, and moored at 1240 on 21 May 1970 at Pier #1 Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. This would be the last time the USS Harve (PCE-877) would move under her own power.
Decommissioning activities commenced in Philadelphia. On 2 June 1970, all main engines, generators and associated equipment placed out of commission. On 5 June 1970, all hazardous material offloaded, and all fuel and lube oil was offloaded on 11 June 1970. The PCE-877 passed both the preliminary inspection conducted by the INACTSHIPMAINTFAC personnel on 18 June 1970, and the final inspection on 24 June 1970.
From the Final Deck Logs - Remarks Sheets - Commanding Officer R.C. White, Lt.(jg), USNR
Wednesday 1 July 1970, at Philadelphia, PA
* 00:00 Moored port side to Pier #1 Philadelphia Naval Shipyard with standard mooring lines doubled. USS Ely (PCE-880), is moored outboard. USS Portage (PCE-902) and USS Whitehall (PCE-856) are moored ahead. Other ships present include miscellaneous vessels of the US Atlantic Fleet. SOPA (senior officer present afloat) is Commanding Officer USS Lowry (DO-770).
* 07:45 Mustered the crew at quarters. Absentees: none
* 10:00 Commenced decommissioning ceremony
* 10:05 Colors hauled down and watch secured. Custody of USS Havre (PCE-877) transferred to Commanding Officer, Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility, Philadelphia
* Decommissioned. The USS Havre (PCE-877) was thus struck from the US Navy roster of ships on 1 July 1970.
The final fate of the USS Havre (PCE-877) is unknown. Several of the other ships in her final task unit lived longer in the commercial world:
* The USS Portage (PCE-902), the Havre's sister ship in Illinois, was renamed the Atlantic Venture and served commercial fisheries in Virginia
* The USS Ely (PCE-880), launched ten weeks after PCE-877 from the same
Albina Engine & Machine Works,
Portland, Oregon
Portland (, ) is a port city in the Pacific Northwest and the largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon. Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, Portland is the county seat of Multnomah County, the most populous co ...
, was sold to the state of Maine as a research vessel, and also was owned by companies in Delaware and Louisiana, before also joining the PCE-902 and being renamed Atlantic Mist. It was sunk 16 January 2010 as part of an artificial reef outside of the Delaware Bay.
* The USS Whitehall (PCE-856) was converted to a tug in 1974, ended up in Virginia with the PCE-902, renamed Atlantic Shore, and was last seen in Louisiana - fate unknown
[http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/02856.htm]
Decorations
The PCE-877 received the following awards during her career:
*
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars (for its performance at the Battle of Iwo Jima and the Battle of Okinawa)
*
World War II Victory Medal
*
Navy Occupation Medal
The Navy Occupation Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy which was "Awarded to commemorate the services of Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel in the occupation of certain territories of the enemies of the U.S. durin ...
*
National Defense Service Medal with star
References
External links
Naval History and Heritage Command*
ttps://www.historycentral.com/navy/patrol/havre.html NavyHistory.comBowling Green State University - Historical Collections of the Great LakesU.S. Naval Institute
{{DEFAULTSORT:Havre (PCE(C)-877)
1943 ships
PCE-842-class patrol craft