USS Somersworth

Each ship of the PCER-848 class was an armed rescue ship built on the hull of the PCE (Patrol Craft Escort) by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois. The ships were to serve three missions: damage control / firefighting; casualty treatment / evacuation; and patrol / guardship. Each ship's hospital contained 65 beds, with a surgical suite, and X-ray facilities. The medical department consisted of a staff of 11 doctors and hospital corpsmen. Three ships of the class—PCER-848, -849 and -850—were refitted and their hospital spaces converted into communications centers to support the US Army's activities in the Pacific Theater. ==Service history==

The ship was laid down on 24 September 1943 by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company of Chicago, launched on 31 January 1944, and commissioned as USS PCE(R)-849 on 11 April 1944. It was also present at the surrender of Japan in Tokyo Bay on 2 September 1945, and was the first American ship to dock post-war at the Port of Tokyo. The ship received three battle stars for service during World War II. The ship was named USS Somersworth on 15 February 1956. The Navy later issued dereliction of duty letters to the ship's commander and gunnery officer. In 1959, the ship was reclassified as EPCE(R)-849, an Experimental Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue). ==Legacy==

USS Somersworth Park is located in the city that the ship was named for—Somersworth, New Hampshire—at the intersection of Main Street and Market Street. A memorial to crew members who served on the ship is located in Stein Park on Main Street. On July 17, 2004, a reunion of 32 personnel who had served on the ship, including four former captains, was held in Somersworth. ==See also==