Chinquapin (YN-12) was initially authorized as
Fir (YN-2), but renamed in October 1940 before construction began. She was built by the
General Engineering & Dry Dock Company of
Alameda, California, and
launched on 15 July 1941; sponsored by Mrs. J. Lane; and placed in service 29 October 1941. She was commissioned 6 January 1943. Assigned to the
12th Naval District headquartered at the
Mare Island in
Vallejo, California,
Chinquapin conducted net, salvage, and towing operations out of the
Tiburon, California, Net Depot until 31 December 1943 when she sailed for
Pearl Harbor, arriving 10 January 1944. On 20 January she was redesignated
AN-17.
Chinquapin tended nets and laid moorings at
Majuro,
Kwajalein, and
Eniwetok from 15 February 1944 to 27 July, then supported the
Marianas occupation by similar operations at
Saipan and
Guam until 28 October. Returning via Pearl Harbor to
San Francisco, California, as a
convoy escort,
Chinquapin was overhauled, and on 3 February 1945 sailed via
Pearl Harbor and
Ulithi for
Okinawa, arriving 1 May for net, mooring and transport operations there until 30 October.
Chinquapin returned to
Astoria, Oregon, on 11 December and was placed out of commission in reserve 6 March 1946. She was struck from the
Naval Vessel Register on 1 September 1962 and placed in the
National Defense Reserve Fleet. She was sold for scrapping in 1976.
Chinquapin received three
battle stars for
World War II service. == References ==