USS Casper

USS Casper (PF-12)
History
United States
NameCasper
NamesakeCity of Casper, Wyoming
ReclassifiedPatrol Frigate (PF), 15 April 1943
Orderedas a Type S2-S2-AQ1 hull, MCE hull 1430[1]
BuilderPermanente Metals Richmond Shipyard #4, Richmond, California
Yard number55[1]
Laid down17 October 1943
Launched27 December 1943
Commissioned31 March 1944
Decommissioned16 May 1946
Identification
FateSold for scrap, 20 May 1947
General characteristics [2]
Class and typeTacoma-class frigate patrol frigate
Displacement
  • 1,430 long tons (1,450 t) (light load)
  • 2,415 long tons (2,454 t) (full load)
Length303 ft 11 in (92.63 m)
Beam37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Draft13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
Installed power
Propulsion
Speed20.3 kn (37.6 km/h; 23.4 mph)
Complement190
Armament

USS Casper (PG-120/PF-12), a Tacoma-class patrol frigate, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Casper, Wyoming.

Construction

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Casper, originally classified as patrol gunboat, PG-120, was reclassified as a patrol frigate, PF-12, on 15 April 1943. She was laid down on 17 October 1943, under a Maritime Commission (MARCOM) contract, MC hull 1430, at the Permanente Metals Richmond Shipyard #4, Richmond, California.[2] Casper (PF-12) was launched on 27 December 1943, sponsored by Mrs. E. J. Spaulding. She was commissioned on 31 March 1944.[3]

Service history

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Casper sailed from San Francisco, California, on 30 September 1944, for a weather patrol out of Seattle, Washington, returning to San Francisco, 6 November. From this base, she operated as plane guard, and on weather patrol, performing these vital functions between the mainland and Pearl Harbor. During the organizing conference of the United Nations at San Francisco, which began 25 April 1945, Casper made two security patrols off the Farallon Islands.[3]

Casper cleared San Francisco, on 4 April 1946, for Charleston, South Carolina, where she was decommissioned on 16 May 1946. The patrol frigate was sold 20 May 1947.[3]

References

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Bibliography

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  • "Casper". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 27 November 2018.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  • "Kaiser Permanente No. 4, Richmond CA". ShipbuildingHistory.com. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  • "Casper (PF 12)". Navsource.org. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
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