Barnegat-class seaplane tender

Barnegat, lead unit of the class, was commissioned in July 1941. She served in the Atlantic until February 1945, then finished World War II in the Pacific. She was in reserve from 1945 to 1958, then was sold into commercial service and was the Greek cruise ship MV Kentavros from 1962 to 1986.[4]

Biscayne was in commission from 1941 to 1946. During the first half of World War II, she saw service as a seaplane tender in the Atlantic, in the Caribbean, in West Africa, and in North Africa. Converted into an amphibious force flagship in 1943, she served in the Mediterranean in 1943–1944, seeing action in the amphibious landings in Operation Avalanche at Salerno, Operation Shingle at Anzio, and Operation Dragoon in southern France. Redesignated AGC-18 in 1944, she then served in the Pacific in 1945, serving at Iwo Jima, in the Okinawa campaign, and in the Philippines before the war ended. Postwar, she served in Korea and China. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Dexter (WAGC-18), later WAVP-385, later WHEC-385, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1952 and from 1958 to 1968.[5]

Casco was in commission from 1941 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the Pacific. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Casco (WAVP-370), later WHEC-370, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1969.[6]

Mackinac was in commission from 1942 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Mackinac (WAVP-371), later WHEC-371, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1968.[7]

Humboldt was in commission from 1941 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, where during the Natal Conference, she flew the Commander-in-Chief's flag. She was among three Barnegat-class ships selected in 1945 for conversion to a press information ship, redesignated AG-121, for the projected invasion of Japan in 1945–1946, but the war ended before the invasion could take place and she was converted back into a seaplane tender. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Humboldt (WAVP-372), later WHEC-372, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1969.[8]

Matagorda was in commission from 1941 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Atlantic. She was among three Barnegat-class ships selected in 1945 for conversion to a press information ship, redesignated AG-122, for the projected invasion of Japan in 1945–1946, but the war ended before the invasion could take place and she was converted back into a seaplane tender. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Matagorda (WAVP-373), later WHEC-373, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1968.[9]

Absecon was in commission from 1943 to 1947. She was converted while under construction into a catapult training ship, and spent World War II in Florida waters training battleship and cruiser floatplane pilots in catapult launches, also serving as a mobile target for torpedo planes. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Absecon (WAVP-374), later WHEC-374, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1972. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1972 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Phạm Ngũ Lão (HQ-15) until captured by North Vietnam on the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975. She then served the unified Vietnam in the Vietnam People's Navy as the patrol vessel PRVSN Phạm Ngũ Lão (HQ-01) until perhaps as late as 2000.[10]

Chincoteague was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Chincoteague (WAVP-375), later WHEC-375, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1972. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1972 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Lý Thường Kiệt (HQ-16). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines. She served in the Philippine Navy from 1975 to 1985 as the frigate RPS (later BRP) Andrés Bonifacio (PF-7).[11]

Coos Bay was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Coos Bay (WAVP-376), later WHEC-376, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1966.[12]

Half Moon was laid down as a seaplane tender, then was chosen as one of four Barnegat-class ships to be converted to a motor torpedo boat tender prior to completion and redesignated AGP-6, but ultimately was completed as a seaplane tender, with her sister ship Oyster Bay becoming the motor torpedo tender AGP-6 instead. She was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the New Guinea campaign and the Philippines campaign. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as Half Moon, later WHEC-378, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1969.[13]

Mobjack was one of four Barnegat-class ships to be converted during construction into a motor torpedo boat tender. She was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, supporting operations at Morotai, in the Philippines campaign, and in the Borneo campaign. She was transferred to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey postwar, serving as the survey ship USC&GS Pioneer (OSS 31) until 1966.[14]

Oyster Bay was one of four Barnegat-class ships to be converted during construction into a motor torpedo boat tender. She was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the New Guinea and Philippine campaigns. Stricken from the Navy List in 1946, she was reinstated as a seaplane tender in 1949 and kept in reserve until 1957. She was transferred to Italy in 1957, serving in the Italian Navy until 1993 as the special forces tender Pietro Cavezzale (A 5301).[15]

Rockaway was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. She was among three Barnegat-class ships selected in 1945 for conversion to a press information ship, redesignated AG-123, for the projected invasion of Japan in 1945–1946, but the war ended before the invasion could take place and she was converted back into a seaplane tender. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Rockaway (WAVP-377), later WAGO-377, WHEC-377, and WOLE-377, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1972.[16]

San Pablo was in commission from 1943 to 1947 as a seaplane tender, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the Southwest Pacific, the New Guinea campaign, the Central Pacific, and the Philippines campaign. She recommissioned in 1948 after conversion to a hydrographic survey ship, redesignated AGS-30, and served in this capacity until 1969.[17]

Unimak was in commission from 1943 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific through the end of 1944, then in the Atlantic during the first half of 1945. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Unimak (WAVP-379), later WHEC-379, later WTR-379, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1949 to 1975 and from 1977 to 1988.[18]

Yakutat was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she supported the Peleliu, Mariana Islands, and Okinawa campaigns. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Yakutat (WAVP-380), later WHEC-380, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1971. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1971 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Trần Nhật Duật (HQ-03). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines, where the Philippine Navy took custody of her and cannibalized her for spare parts until discarding her in 1982.[19]

Barataria was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the Philippines campaign. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Barataria (WAVP-381), later WHEC-381, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1969.[20]

Bering Strait was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Central Pacific, where she saw action in the Okinawa campaign. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Bering Strait (WAVP-382), later WHEC-382, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1971. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1971 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Trần Quang Khải (HQ-02). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines, and served in the Philippine Navy from 1975 until 1985 as the frigate BRP Diego Silang (PF-9) and from 1987 to 1990 as BRP Diego Silang (PF-14).[21]

Castle Rock was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Castle Rock (WAVP-383), later WHEC-383, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1971. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1971 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Trần Bình Trọng (HQ-05). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines, and served in the Philippine Navy until 1985 as the frigate RPS (later BRP) Francisco Dagohoy (PF-10).[22]

Cook Inlet was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she served in Hawaii and saw action in the Iwo Jima campaign. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Cook Inlet (WAVP-384), later WHEC-384, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1948 to 1971. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1971 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Trần Quốc Toản (HQ-06). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines, where the Philippine Navy took custody of her and cannibalized her for spare parts until discarding her in 1982.[23]

Corson was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Central Pacific. She was recommissioned in 1951 and saw service in support of United Nations forces in the Korean War (1950–1953), then remained in commission until 1966.[24]

Duxbury Bay was in commission from 1944 to 1966. She performed her World War II service in the Central Pacific and in the Okinawa campaign. Postwar she served worldwide.[25]

Gardiners Bay was in commission from 1945 to 1958, with World War II service in the Okinawa campaign. She also served four tours of duty in support of United Nations forces during the Korean War. In 1958 she was transferred to Norway, where she served as the Royal Norwegian Navy cadet training ship HNoMS Haakon VII (A537) until 1974.[26]

Floyds Bay was in commission from 1945 to 1960. She served at Okinawa at the end of World War II, cruised around the world in 1947–1948, and then served in the Pacific and Far East.[27]

Greenwich Bay was in commission from 1945 to 1966. She arrived in the Western Pacific just after the end of World War II. She cruised around the world in 1946, then operated in the Pacific before spending most of her career in the Middle East and Mediterranean.[28]

The contract for the construction of Hatteras was cancelled on 22 April 1943 before she was laid down.[29]

The contract for the construction of Hempstead was cancelled on 22 April 1943 before she was laid down.[30]

The contract for the construction of Kamishak was cancelled on 22 April 1943 before she was laid down.[31]

The contract for the construction of Magothy was cancelled on 22 April 1943 before she was laid down.[32]

The contract for the construction of Matanzas was cancelled on 29 April 1943 before she was laid down.[33]

The contract for the construction of Metomkin was cancelled on 29 April 1943 before she was laid down.[34]

Onslow was in commission from 1943 to 1947, seeing World War II service in the Central Pacific, Palau Islands, and Okinawa campaign. She was recommissioned in 1951 and saw service in support of United Nations forces in the Korean War (1950–1953), performing four tours in Korea between 1951 and 1955, and then remained in commission until 1960, when she was sold into commercial service in the Philippines for use as a ferry.[35]

Orca was in commission from 1944 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the New Guinea and Philippines campaigns. She was again in commission from 1951 to 1960, seeing service the Pacific and Far East (1950–1953). In 1962 she was transferred to Ethiopia, and served as the Ethiopian Navy's largest ship, the training ship Ethiopia (A-01), until 1991.[36]

Rehoboth was in commission from 1944 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the United Kingdom and Brazil. She was recommissioned in 1948 after conversion to an oceanographic survey vessel. Redesignated AGS-50 in 1949, she saw service in this role from 1948 to 1970.[37]

San Carlos was in commission from 1944 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the Solomon Islands, at Morotai, and Philippines campaign. After years in reserve, she returned to U.S. Navy service in 1958 as the hydrographic survey ship USNS Josiah Willard Gibbs (T-AGOR-1), serving in this role until 1971. In 1971 she was transferred to Greece, where she served in the Hellenic Navy as the motor torpedo boat tender Hephaistos (A413) until 1976.[38]

Shelikof was in commission from 1944 to 1947, performing her World War II service in the Central Pacific and in the Okinawa campaign. She was in reserve from 1947 to 1960, when she was sold into commercial service. She served as a Greek passenger ship – at first named MV Kypros, then renamed MV Myconos in 1964, MV Artemis in 1973, MV Artemis K in 1974, and MV Golden Princess in 1979 – until she sank in a storm while laid up in 1981.[39]

Suisun was in commission from 1944 to 1955, performing her World War II service in the Central Pacific, then serving postwar in the Pacific and Far East. She was in reserve from 1955 to 1966, then was sunk as a target.[40]

Timbalier was in commission from 1946 to 1954, performing most of her active service in the Caribbean and along the United States East Coast. She was in reserve from 1954 to 1960, then sold into commercial service. She operated as the Greek cruise ship MV Rodos from 1960 to 1989.[41]

Valcour was in commission from 1946 to 1973, spending her career in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Middle East. In 1965 she was reclassified as a "miscellaneous command flagship", redesignated AGF-1.[42]

Wachapreague was one of four Barnegat-class ships to be converted during construction into a motor torpedo boat tender. She was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the Philippine and Borneo campaigns. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC McCulloch (WAVP-386), later WHEC-386, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service from 1946 to 1972. She was transferred to South Vietnam in 1972 and served in the Republic of Vietnam Navy as the frigate RVNS Ngô Quyền (HQ-17). Upon the collapse of the South Vietnamese government at the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, she fled to the Philippines, and served in the Philippine Navy until 1985 as the frigate RPS (later BRP) Gregorio del Pilar (PF-8) and from 1987 to 1990 as the frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-12).[43]

Willoughby was one of four Barnegat-class ships to be converted during construction into a motor torpedo boat tender. She was in commission from 1944 to 1946, performing her World War II service in the Pacific, where she saw action in the Philippine and Borneo campaigns. She was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard postwar as USCGC Gresham (WAVP-387), later WHEC-387 and WAGW-387, and was in commissioned Coast Guard service until 1973.[44]