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Submarine Chaser Photo Archive

USCGC Bowstring (WPC 365)



Bowstring call sign:
Nan - Oboe - Charlie - Fox

ex-USS SC-238



Call sign:
George - Cast - Dog - Fox

Call sign (1924):
Nan - Oboe - Quack - Boy



Allen call sign (192637):
Mike - Dog - King - Tare


SC-238 served both the U. S. Navy and Coast Guard

SC-1 Class Submarine Chaser:

  • Built at the New York Yacht, Launch and Engine Co., Morris Heights, NY
  • Commissioned USS SC-238, 12 March 1918
  • Sold 24 June 1921 to Joseph G. Hitner of Philadelphia, PA
  • Registered in 1926 to Dennis Sullivan of New York, NY as the yacht Allen
  • Later named Sea Roamer
  • Sold in 1943 to the War Shipping Administration (WSA) and transferred to the Coast Guard
  • Commissioned USCGC Bowstring (WPC 365), 7 July 1943
  • Decommissioned 23 December 1944 and placed in storage at Bucksport, SC
  • Transferred to the War Shipping Administration 6 January 1945 and sold
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 85 t.
    1926 - 79 t.
  • Length 110'
    1926 - 104.3'
  • Beam 14' 9"
  • Draft 5' 8"
    1926 8.3'
  • Speed 18 kts.
  • Complement 27
    1926 - Five
  • Armament: One 3"/23 gun mount, two .30 cal. machine guns, and one depth charge projector "Y Gun"
  • Propulsion: Three 220hp Standard gasoline engines, three shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    SC-19 193k SC-19 with other SC (submarine chaser) boats, at the U.S. Naval Experimental Station, New London, Connecticut, circa 1918. Among the SCs present are: USS SC-21 and USS SC-238
    Photo by Louis Harder, New London
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 2458    		 Mike Green
    SC-19 262k View of pier area at naval Experimental Station, New London, Connecticut, circa 1918. Ships present include: USS SC-19, USS SC-238, USS SC-21. The larger ship is probably the
    revenue cutter Onondaga
    Photo by Louis Harder, New London
    Naval History and Heritage Command photo NH 2462
    Commanding Officers
    01LTJG(T) Thomas Wade Mather, USN12 March 1918 - 1918
    02ENS Gerald T. Bieling, USNRF1918 - 1919
    Courtesy Joe Radigan and Wolfgang Hechler
    Coast Guard Cutter History: The War Shipping Administration purchased the Sea Roamer (ex USS SC-238), from a group of private owners for $26,750. She was "reconditioned" and rearmed at the Oxford Boatyard Company in Oxford, Maryland. She was placed in commission on 7 July 1943 as the CGC Bowstring and was assigned the hull number WPC-365. She was assigned to the Gulf Sea Frontier and was to be stationed in Miami. She first reported for shakedown and sound training and then reported to the Fleet Sound School on 8 December 1943 for temporary duty.

    After serving out of Miami on general patrol duty, she transferred to New Orleans in April, 1944 and again conducted general patrol duties. Due to continuing maintenance problems, including serious difficulties with her engines, she was ordered to sail to Charleston on 4 December 1944 for decommissioning and storage. Bowstring was decommissioned and placed in storage [at] Bucksport, South Carolina, on 22 December 1944.

    Additional Resources and Websites of Interest
    Patrol Craft Sailors Association
    Back to the Main Photo Index Back to the Patrol Craft/Gunboat/Submarine Chaser Ship Index Back to the 110' Submarine Chaser (SC) Photo Index
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    This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by Tom Bateman
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