USS Buckeye (AN‑13) was an Ailanthus‑class net laying ship of the United States Navy that served during World War II. She was tasked with laying, maintaining, and recovering anti‑submarine and anti‑torpedo nets to protect harbors, anchorages, and fleet anchorages from enemy submarines and torpedoes.
Contents
- [[Construction and design]]
- [[Operational history]]
- [[Post‑war service and disposition]]
- [[Awards and honors]]
- [[Legacy]]
- [[References]]
Construction and design
- Builder: Marietta Manufacturing Company, Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
- Laid down: 10 May 1941.
- Launched: 12 December 1941; sponsored by Mrs. R. H. Baker.
- Commissioned: 28 May 1942, Norfolk, Virginia.
The Ailanthus‑class ships displaced about 1,100 tons standard and 1,800 tons full load, measured 194 ft (59 m) in length, with a beam of 34 ft (10 m). Propulsion was provided by a single diesel engine driving one propeller, delivering a top speed of 12 knots. Armament typically consisted of one 3‑inch (76 mm) gun and several .50‑caliber machine guns for self‑defense.
Operational history
World War II
- Atlantic theater (1942‑1944): After shakedown, Buckeye joined the 1st Naval District, operating out of Boston and later Newport, Rhode Island, where she laid and tended harbor nets protecting the vital naval bases of New England. She also participated in net‑tending operations off the Caribbean ports of Guantanamo Bay and San Juan, ensuring safe anchorage for convoy assembly points.
- Mediterranean deployment (1944‑1945): In early 1944 Buckeye was transferred to the 6th Fleet, arriving at the Allied invasion area of Southern France (Operation Dragoon). She assisted in establishing defensive net screens around the ports of Toulon and Marseille, essential for safeguarding the massive influx of supplies following the landings.
- Pacific theater (late‑1945): Following the European campaign, Buckeye was reassigned to the Pacific, arriving at Pearl Harbor in July 1945. She performed net‑maintenance duties in the Hawaiian Islands and later assisted in the occupation of Japan, helping to secure Yokosuka Naval Base.
Post‑war activity
After the surrender of Japan, Buckeye returned to the United States and was placed in reserve at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She was decommissioned on 13 January 1947 and transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal.
Post‑war service and disposition
- Reserve fleet: 1947–1950, berthed with the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Norfolk.
- Sale and civilian use: In 1951 she was sold to a private company and converted into a commercial tug, renamed Sea Star; she operated along the Atlantic seaboard until being scrapped in 1974.
Awards and honors
- American Campaign Medal
- European‑African‑Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with one battle star)
- World War II Victory Medal
These awards reflect her contributions across multiple theaters during the conflict.
Legacy
USS Buckeye exemplifies the often‑overlooked but critical role of auxiliary vessels in naval warfare. Net laying ships such as Buckeye provided an essential layer of harbor defense that protected capital ships, transport convoys, and amphibious forces from submarine attack. Her service across both the Atlantic and Pacific illustrates the flexibility and global reach of the United States Navy’s support fleet during World War II.
References
- Naval History and Heritage Command, “USS Buckeye (AN‑13), 1942‑1947,” Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
- Friedman, Norman. U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Naval Institute Press, 2002.
- Jane’s Fighting Ships, 1945‑46 edition, p. 212.
- NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive – USS Buckeye (AN‑13).
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