USS SC-497 was a SC-497 class submarine chaser that served in the United States Navy and later the Free French Navy during World War II. She was originally laid down as PC-497 on 29 November 1941 by the Westergard Boat Works in Rockport, Texas, and launched on 4 July 1941. She was commissioned as USS PC-497 on 16 October 1942. She was later reclassified as a SC-497 class submarine chaser and renamed SC-497. She was transferred to the Free French Navy as part of the Lend-Lease program on 18 March 1944 as CH-96. The transfer was made permanent on 15 August 1944. She was renamed CH-724 in 1952 and later P-724 before being withdrawn from service on 23 October 1980. Her exact fate is unknown.[1]

USS PC-497 before her conversion into USS SC-497.
History
United States
NameUSS SC-497
Operator United States Navy
BuilderWestergard Boat Works, Inc.
Laid down7 March 1941
Launched4 July 1941
Commissioned15 April 1942
FateTransferred to France on 18 March 1944, permanently on 15 August 1944.
Free French Naval Forces EnsignFrench Navy EnsignFrance
NameCH-96
Operator
Acquired18 March 1944
RenamedCH-724 in 1952 and later P-724
FateWithdrawn from service on 23 October 1980, fate unknown.
General characteristics
Class and typeSC-497 class submarine chaser
Typesubmarine chaser
Displacement148 tons
Length110 ft 10 in (34 m)
Beam17 ft (5 m)
Draft6 ft 6 in (2 m)
Propulsion
  • 2 × 880bhp General Motors 8-268A diesel engines, Snow and Knobstedt single reduction gear
  • 2 × shafts
Speed15.6 knots
Complement28
Armament

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References

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