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Patrol Frigate Photo Archive

Rockford (PF-48)



Call sign:
Nan - Zebra - William - Sugar

ex-PG-156

Rockford served the Navies of the United States, the USSR and South Korea

Tacoma Class Patrol Frigate:

  • (MC Type T. S2-S2-AQ1) Originally assigned as a Patrol Gunboat, PG-156
  • Reclassified as a Patrol Frigate, PF-48, 25 June 1943
  • Laid down 28 August 1943 at Consolidated Steel, Los Angeles, CA
  • Launched 27 September 1943
  • Commissioned USS Rockford (PF-48), 6 March 1944
  • Decommissioned 27 August 1945 at Cold Harbor, Alaska and leased to the Soviet Union and reclassified EK-18 under the Lend-Lease Program the same day
  • Assigned to the Pacific Fleet 5 September 1945
  • Returned to U.S. custody at Yokosuka, Japan 1 November 1949
  • Transferred 23 October 1950 on loan to South Korea and renamed ROKS Apnokkang (PF 62)
  • While escorting the U.S. Navy ammunition ship USS Mount Baker (AE-4) on 21 May 1952 when Mount Baker struck her amidships, killing 25 and injuring 21 of Apnokkang's crew. The collision
    damaged Apnokkang beyond economical repair
  • Returned to U.S. custody 3 September 1952
  • Struck from the Naval Register 26 May 1953
  • Sunk as a target 30 September 1953.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 1,430 t. (lt), 2,415 t. (fl)
  • Length 303' 11"
  • Beam 37' 6"
  • Draft 13' 8"
  • Speed 20.3 kts.
  • Complement 190
  • Armament: Three 3"/50 dual purpose gun mounts, two twin 40mm gun mounts, nine 20mm gun mounts, two depth charge tracks, eight depth charge projectors, and one depth charge projector (hedgehog)
  • Propulsion: Two 3-drum express boilers, two 5,500ihp J. Hendy Iron Works engines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USS Rockford (PF 48)
    Rockford 94k Off Naval Operating Base Adak, Alaska, 30 January 1945. Her camouflage paint is Measure 32, Design 16d.
    Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute Photo Collection
    U.S. Navy photo NH 94146    		 Naval Historical Center
    ROKS Apnokkang (PF 62)
    Rockford 119k 21 December 1950
    Crewmen load a "Hedgehog" anti-submarine mortar, while on duty in Inchon Harbor, South Korea
    National Archives photo 80-G-427432    		 Robert Hurst
    Rockford 294k 26 April 1951
    South Korean sailors at their battle stations aboard the Korean frigate Amnokgang on a 3 inch gun, mounted on the forecastle of the ship, off the coast of Korea
    National Archives photo 80-G-428919
    Rockford 253k 26 May 1951
    The frigate Apnokkang alongside the U.S. Gearing-class destroyer USS Hanson (DD-832) for temporary repairs, at Wonsan harbor, Korea, after being hit three times by North Korean shore batteries. The Hanson made temporary repairs to the hull, and furnished electrical power
    National Archives photo 80-G-434893
    Commanding Officers
    01CDR David Hall Bartlett, USCG - Awarded the Legion of Merit with Combat V (1944)6 March 1944 - 1945
    02CDR Edgar V. Carlson, USCGR1945 - 26 August 1945
    Courtesy Joe Radigan and Wolfgang Hechler
    View the Rockford (PF-48)
    DANFS History entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Website
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    This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Joe Radigan
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