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NavSource Online:
Submarine Chaser Photo Archive

U.S. Army Artillery Steamer V-12
ex-USS SC-280



Call sign:
George - Tare - Nan - Have


Call sign (1919):
Nan - Oboe - Sail - George


SC-280 served both the U. S. Navy and the Army


SC-1 Class Submarine Chaser:

  • Laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard, Mare Island, CA
  • Launched 6 September 1917
  • Commissioned USS SC-280, 18 April 1918
  • Conducted trial runs 13, 18, 24 and 25 April, 29 April, 6 May, 10 May, 15 May and 18 May 1918
  • Entered Dry Dock No. 2, 29 May to 3 June 1918
  • Back into Dry Dock No. 2, 5 - 10 June 1918
  • Departed Mare Island 11 June 1918
  • Transferred to the War Department 6 October 1919 and reclassified Artillery Steamer, V-12
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 85 t.
  • Length 110'
    1920 - 105'
  • Beam 17'
    1920 - 14.5'
  • Draft 6' 6" (fl)
    1920 - 9.2'
  • Speed 17 kts.
  • Complement 27
    1920 - Five
  • Armament: One 3"/23 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-273 - 280 40k Eight of the 15 sub chasers built at Mare Island during WWI are shown in this 1918 photo being outfitted. The vessels shown are from right to left are: SC-280, 279, 278, 277, 276, 275, 274 and 273 Darryl L. Baker

    Commanding Officers
    01ENS Randall A. Backus, USNRF1919
    Courtesy Joe Radigan

    There is no DANFS history available for SC-280
    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 Back to the U.S. Army Artillery Steamers Index

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    This page created and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan
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