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SC-497-class submarine chaser
USS SC-661
USS SC-661
Class overview
Operators: Flag of the United States United States Navy
Naval Ensign of Free France Free French Naval Forces
Civil and Naval Ensign of France French Navy
Naval Ensign of the Soviet Union Soviet Navy
Flag of Brazil Brazilian Navy
Flag of Norway, state Royal Norwegian Navy
Flag of Mexico Mexican Navy
Preceded by: Protoytpe submarine chaser USS SC-453
Succeeded by: SC-1466 class submarine chaser
Built: 1941-1944
Planned: 475
Completed: 438
Cancelled: 37
Active: 0
Lost: 17
Preserved: 1
General characteristics
Type: Submarine chaser
Displacement: 98 tons
Length: 110 ft 10 in (34 m)
Beam: 17 ft 11.5 in (5 m)
Draft: 10 ft 10 in (3 m)
Propulsion: 2 x 1,540 or 880 hp diesel engines
2 x shafts
Speed: 15.6 or 21 knots
Complement: 3 Officers, 25 Enlisted
Armament: Varies over time
Armor: Wooden hull

The SC-497 class submarine chasers were a class of 438 submarine chasers built primarily for the United States Navy from 1941-1944.[1] 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. As part of the Lend-Lease program, 142 were transferred for use by allies of the United States.[1] The SC-497s were off-shore patrol and anti-submarine warfare vessels. Ninety-six SC-497s were converted into other types of patrol vessels to meet demands in specific locations. Despite the large number of SC-497s, none are credited with destroying an enemy ship. USS SC-669 is incorrectly credited with sinking the Japanese submarine RO-107 on 29 May 1943.[2] However, RO-107 was still active during the summer of 1943.[3] Sixteen SC-497s were lost and another one was lost after her conversion into a PGM-1 class motor gunboat.[2][4]

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 enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Seventy-eight were sent to the Soviet Union, 50 to France, 8 to Brazil, 3 to Norway, and 3 to Mexico.[2]

Seventy of the SC-497s were converted into patrol control crafts (SCC), 18 were converted into coastal mine sweepers (AMC), and 8 were converted into patrol gunboats, motor (PGM).[2]

Survivors[]

The HNoMS Hitra (ex USS SC-718) is preserved at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum. Some remains of HNoMS Hessa (ex USS SC-683) and HNoMS Vigra (ex USS SC-1061) can be seen near the coast of Norway.

See also[]

References[]



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