U.S. Navy
submarine chasers were designed specifically to destroy
German submarines in
World War I, and
Japanese and
German submarines in
World War II. The small
SC-1-class submarine chasers of the design used in World War I carried the hull designator
SC (for
Submarine
Chaser). Their main weapon was the
depth charge. They also carried
machine guns and
anti-aircraft guns. The similar-sized
SC-497-class was built for World War II. Also in World War II, larger
PC-461-class submarine chasers used the
PC hull classification symbol (for
Patrol,
Coastal). Class relationships: • 438 (98t, wooden hull) • 343 (450t, steel hull) • 68 (850t, steel hull) • used in similar role as the submarine chasers • 123 • design basis for the
PCE-842 class • equipped with substantial anti-submarine capabilities and used as escorts • 95 (890t, steel hull) • predecessor design to the
Admirable class • 481 (270t, wooden hull) In early 1915, the
British Admiralty selected the US
Electric Launch Company (Elco) for the production of 50
motor launches for anti-submarine work, British industry being at maximum capacity. This order was eventually increased by a further 530. The whole order was completed by November 1916, and the vessels entered
Royal Navy service. The vessels were in length and capable of . They were armed with a
3-pounder gun, towed
paravanes to attack submarines and, later,
depth charges. Additional motor launches of the
Fairmile A,
Fairmile B and other classes were built for World War II.
War service The British sub chasers were operated around the coast in defence. However, they were uncomfortable, wet and not suited to British sea conditions. Although used during the First World War, they were sold when the war ended. Submarine chasers were used mostly by the
United States Coast Guard in World War II for destroying German
U-boats that were stationed off the coast of the United States that were trying to sink merchant convoys as they departed American ports. In the
Pacific Theatre, submarine chasers were used for
amphibious landings, courier and escort duty. During
Project Hula, the United States secretly transferred 32 U.S. Navy submarine chasers to the
Soviet Union between 26 May and 2 September 1945, and some of these saw action in the
Soviet Navy during
Soviet military operations against the Japanese between 9 August and 2 September 1945. The transfer of 24 more was canceled when transfers halted on 5 September 1945, three days after the
Japanese surrender. Between 1954 and 1960 all 32 transferred submarine chasers were scrapped by the Soviet Union or destroyed off its coast by mutual agreement between the two countries.
Post-war In the decade immediately after World War II, the
Soviet Union built 227
Kronshtadt-class submarine chasers, some of which remained in active service until the 1990s. Rapid developments in submarine technologies since World War II mean that submarine chasers are now obsolete, having been replaced by
corvettes,
frigates, and
destroyers.
Survivors The only remaining submarine chaser with intact World War II armament is the
Royal Norwegian Navy's
HNoMS Hitra, which is a touring museum today. A World War II type submarine chaser built in 1953, originally
PC1610, is being restored in the Netherlands as
Le Fougueux. ==See also==