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NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive

YP-278

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Zulu - Golf - Whiskey NZGW

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

Fishing Trawler

Built by Campbell Machine Co., San Diego, CA (YN 59)

COmpleted for Frank Gonsalves, Jr., San Diego, CA, as fishing vessel Liberty (ON 236946), 1937

Acquired by the US Navy, 17 February 1942

Modified to serve as a refrigerated cargo vessel and placed in service as YP-278

During World War II YP-278 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

Stricken from Naval Register, date unknown

To WSA (War Shipping Administration) for disposal, 17 July 1946

Returned to her owner, Frank Gonsalves, Jr., 1946

Sold to Sun Harbor Packing Co., San Diego, CA, and renamed Sun Splendor, 1948

Registered under Panamanian flag, 1962

Re-registered under US flag to John B. Vattuone, San Diego, CA, renamed Invader, 1967

Final Disposition, sunk by collision with another vessel off Baja California (29.28N / 117.12W), 07 September 1974

Specifications:
Displacement 334 gross tons, 152 net tons
Length 117' 4" waterline, 129' overall
Beam 28' 0"
Draft 12' 5"
Speed unknown
Complement unknown
Armament

one 20mm AA gun mount

one .50 cal machine gun
Propulsiontwo 6-cylinder Union diesels, two propellers, 450bhp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
143127801	133k	LT Harry J. Conway, Officer in Charge, at left, and ENS David D. Bloom, Executive Officer, at right, standing on the bridge of YP-278, circa December 1944.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127804	91k	ENS David D. Bloom aboard YP-278, 1944.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127805	37k	YP-278 crew trading with natives at Woendi, Dutch New Guinea, 1944.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127802	240k	Route of YP-278 during World War II, July 1944 to March 1945.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127803	128k	ENS David D. Bloom posing with one of YP-278's .50 cal. machine guns, circa 28 December 1944.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127806	41k	ENS David D. Bloom at helm of YP-278, 28 December 1944.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278
143127807	221k	Ship's company of YP-278 assembled on the ship's bow, 28 December 1944. ENS Bloom is second from left in back row. The gun appears to be an older 3" mount.	Richard Bloom for his father David D. Bloom YP-278

There is no DANFS history record available for YP-278 at NavSource

Crew Contact And Reunion Information

Contact Information
LT. and Mrs. D. Dudley Bloom, USN (Ret.) c/o Richard B. Bloom Email: chipofftheoldblock@comcast.net

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
YP-278

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This page was created by Gary P. Priolo and is maintained by David L. Wright

Last Updated 02 June 2023