USS Mindanao (PR-8)

The USS Mindanao (PR-8) was a United States Navy river gunboat that served in the Asiatic Fleet from 1928 to 1942. She was the lead ship of her class, which included USS Luzon (PR-7). Mindanao was designed for patrolling rivers and coastal waters in the Philippines and China, providing support to American interests in the region.

Mindanao was built by Kiangnan Dock and Engineering Works in Shanghai, China, and commissioned in 1928. Throughout the interwar period, she operated primarily on the Yangtze River, protecting American lives and property during periods of unrest and civil war in China. The gunboat also conducted training exercises and participated in goodwill missions.

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Mindanao was deployed to defend the Philippines. She saw action against Japanese forces, providing fire support to retreating American and Filipino troops. With the fall of Corregidor in May 1942, Mindanao was scuttled by her crew to prevent her capture by the Japanese. She was later salvaged by the Japanese and used in their operations. After the war, the wreck was rediscovered and eventually scrapped.