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NavSource Online: Patrol Craft Escort
Photo Archive
Courtesy of Mike Smolinski


Courtesy of Mike Smolinski

Somersworth (EPCE[R] 849)



Call sign:
November - Yankee - Delta - Yankee

ex-Somersworth (PCE[R]-849)
ex-PCE(R)-849
ex-PCE-849

PCE(R)-848 Class Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue):

  • Originally planned as PCE-849 but reclassified PCE(R)-849 in June 1943
  • Laid down 24 September 1943 by the Pullman Standard Car Manufacturing Co., Chicago, IL
  • Launched 31 January 1944
  • Commissioned USS PCE(R)-849, 11 April 1944
  • Named Somersworth 15 February 1956
  • An explosive device detonated onboard PCE(R)-849, 18 July 1957 while off Montauk Point, Long Island, NY killing three and injuring four
  • Reclassified as an Experimental Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue), EPCE(R)-849 in 1959
  • Decommissioned in September 1965
  • Struck from the Navy Register 1 April 1966
  • Sold to Alfred Dana of Tampa, FL
  • Scrapped in 1972 at Portsmouth, VA.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 903 t.
  • Length 184' 6"
  • Beam 33' 1"
  • Draft 9' 5"
  • Speed 15.7 kts.
  • Complement 99
  • Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 40mm gun mounts, two depth charge tracks and two depth charge projectors
  • Propulsion: Two 900bhp General Motors 12-567A diesel engines, Falk single reduction gear, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    USS PCE(R)-849
    PCER-849 77k c. August 1945
    Manila Bay, Philippines    		 Ron Reeve
    PCER-849 479k 11 August 1954
    Off Block Island, RI
    National Archives photo 80-G-647760 from National Museum of the U.S. Navy    		 Michael Mohl
    USS Somersworth (PCE[R] 849)
    PCER-849 140k Original photo: Dave Morman, crew member
    Replacement photo: Richard Miller, BMCS,
    USNR, Ret.
    PCER-849 413k c. July 1957
    Onboard the RMS Queen Mary
    Notice to passengers outside Pursers Office
    Assistance was rendered by the Cunard-White Star liner RMS Queen Mary until medical assistance from a U.S. Naval/Coast Guard vessel could be obtained
    Photos from the collection of Ralph Rushton    		 Ralph Rushton
    PCER-849 313k c. July 1957
    Onboard the RMS Queen Mary
    Tending to the injured. Ralph Rushton is third from the left, wearing sandals
    Photo from the collection of Ralph Rushton
    PCER-849 507k c. July 1957
    Onboard the RMS Queen Mary
    Tending to the injured
    Photos from the collection of Ralph Rushton
    PCER-849 455k
    PCER-849 312k
    PCER-849 479k At Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1960s
    Original print received from Portsmouth Naval Prison, 1974
    U.S. Navy photo NH 81883    		 Naval History and Heritage Command
    Commanding Officers
    01LT Albert O. Lind, USN11 April 1944
    02LT Alfred Francis Blair, USNR26 June 1945 - October 1945
    03LT Richard David Milligan, USN - USNA Class of 1959
    Awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with Combat "V", and Meritorious Service Medal - Retired as Rear Admiral    		May 1964 - November 1965
    ??CDR Florence Martin (Spike) Sullivan, USN
    Courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler, Ron Reeves, Bill Gonyo and Joe Radigan
    View the Somersworth (PCER 849)
    DANFS History entry located on the Naval History and Heritage Command website
    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 Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue) - (PCE[R]) Photo Index
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    This page created by Joseph M. Radigan and maintained by Tom Bateman
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