USS SC-696 was an SC-497-Class Submarine chaser of the United States Navy during World War II.[1] She was sunk on 23 August 1943 by German dive bombers.

USS SC-696
The SC-696 two days before her commissioning.
History
United States
NameSC-696
Ordered16 February 1942
BuilderDaytona Beach Boat Works Inc.
Laid down26 March 1942
Launched6 August 1942
Commissioned25 November 1942
In service1942
Out of service1943
FateSunk by German Aircraft, 23 August 1943
General characteristics
Displacement148 tons
Length110 feet, 10 inches
Beam17 feet
Draft6 feet, 6 inches
Propulsion2 x General Motors 8-268A diesel engines or 2 x General Motors 16-184A diesel "pancake" engines, two screws.
Speed15.6 knots
Range1,500 nautical miles at 12 knots
Complement3 Officers, 24 Enlisted
Armament
  • One 40mm mount
  • two .50 Caliber Machine Guns
  • two "Y" Gun Depth Charges
Aircraft carriedNone
Aviation facilitiesNone

Ship History edit

She was ordered on 16 February 1942, laid down at Daytona Beach, Florida on 26 March 1942 by Daytona Beach Boat Works Inc. and launched on 6 August 1942.[2] On 25 November 1942 she was commissioned as USS PC-696. In April, she was re-designated as USS SC-696. On 23 August 1943, off Palermo, Italy, SC-696 and USS SC-694[3] came under attack by Junkers Ju 88 dive bombers. Both were sunk. 18 men were killed aboard the 696.[4]

Decorations edit

SC-696 received one battle star for her service.

References edit

  1. ^ "SC-694". www.navsource.org.
  2. ^ "USS SC-696 (SC-696) of the US Navy - American Submarine chaser of the SC-497 class - Allied Warships of WWII - uboat.net". uboat.net.
  3. ^ "Navy Department Communiques 301 to 600". public2.nhhcaws.local.
  4. ^ "WRECKSITE - SC-696 SUBMARINE CHASER 1942-1943". wrecksite.eu.