USS Palos (PG-16)

The USS Palos (PG-16) was a United States Navy gunboat that served primarily in the Yangtze River Patrol (Yangtze Patrol) from 1914 to 1937. One of six sister ships of the Gunboat No. 16 design, Palos was constructed by Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California. She was launched in 1914 and commissioned later that year.

Primarily tasked with patrolling the Yangtze River, the Palos was responsible for protecting American interests, including merchant shipping and missionaries, during a period of significant political instability and civil unrest in China. Her shallow draft was essential for navigating the Yangtze's unpredictable currents and fluctuating water levels.

The Palos was involved in various incidents, including responding to attacks on American-flagged vessels and providing humanitarian assistance to Chinese civilians during floods and other natural disasters. She also played a role in maintaining a U.S. naval presence in the region, which was intended to deter aggression and support American foreign policy.

Decommissioned in 1937, the Palos was sold to the Asiatic Petroleum Company. She was later scuttled by the United States Navy in 1941 in the Philippines to prevent her capture by the Japanese during World War II. Her wreck lies in Manila Bay. The Palos's service exemplified the long-standing U.S. Navy presence in China and its role in protecting American interests in the region during the first half of the 20th century.