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{{short description|Gunboat of the United States Navy}}
{{otherships|USS Niagara}}
{{other ships|USS Niagara}}
{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox Ship Image
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
|Ship image= [[Image:USS Niagara (PG 52).jpg|300px|No Photo Available]]
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= [[File:USS Niagara (PG-52) entering Pearl Harbor on 31 March 1942.jpg|300px|No Photo Available]]
|Ship caption=
|Ship caption=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1944}}
|Ship flag= {{USN flag|1944}}
|Ship name=USS ''Niagara''
|Ship name=USS ''Niagara''
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|Ship struck=
|Ship struck=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=CMc-2 (Coastal minelayer), 31 October 1940<br/>PG-52 (Patrol gunboat), 15 November 1940<br/>AGP-1 (MTB tender), 13 January 1943
|Ship reclassified=*CMc-2 (Coastal minelayer), 31 October 1940
*PG-52 (Patrol gunboat), 15 November 1940
*AGP-1 (MTB tender), 13 January 1943
|Ship homeport=
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship motto=
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|Ship honors=
|Ship honors=
|Ship fate=Sunk in enemy action, 23 May 1943
|Ship fate=Sunk in enemy action, 23 May 1943
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=Alexander Corkum
|Header caption=Alexander Corkum
|Ship type= Patrol gunboat / Motor torpedo boat tender
|Ship type= Patrol gunboat / Motor torpedo boat tender
|Ship displacement= {{convert|1022|LT|t|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} full
|Ship displacement= {{convert|1022|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full
|Ship length= {{convert|267|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship length= {{convert|267|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|35|ft|m|abbr=on}}
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|Ship depth=
|Ship depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship hold depth=
|Ship propulsion=2 × [[diesel engine]]s<br/>2 screws<br/>{{convert|1500|shp|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × [[diesel engine]]s
*2 screws
*{{convert|1500|shp|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|16|kn|lk=on}}
|Ship speed= {{convert|16|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship range=
|Ship boats=
|Ship boats=
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}}
}}
|}
|}
The seventh '''USS ''Niagara'' (CMc-2/PG-52/AGP-1)''' was an auxiliary ship of the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]].
The seventh '''USS ''Niagara'' (CMc-2/PG-52/AGP-1)''' was an auxiliary ship of the [[United States Navy]] during [[World War II]].


''Niagara'' laid down on 14 November 1928 as the steel-hulled civilian [[yacht]] ''Hi-Esmaro'' by the [[Bath Iron Works]], [[Maine]], launched on 7 June 1929, and delivered on 20 August. She was purchased by the Navy on 16 October 1940 from Mrs. Hiram Edward Manville of New York City. Converted to a coastal [[minelayer]] at the [[New York Navy Yard]], and designated '''CMc-2''' on 31 October 1940, the ship was renamed ''Niagara'', on 12 November 1940, and reclassified as a patrol gunboat, '''PG-52''' on 15 November 1940. She commissioned at New York on 20 January 1941, Lt. Edwin W. Herron in command.
''Niagara'' was laid down on 14 November 1928 as the steel-hulled civilian [[yacht]] ''Hi-Esmaro'' by the [[Bath Iron Works]], [[Maine]], launched on 7 June 1929, and delivered on 20 August. She was purchased by the Navy on 16 October 1940 from Mrs. Hiram Edward Manville of New York City. Converted to a coastal [[minelayer]] at the [[New York Navy Yard]], and designated '''CMc-2''' on 31 October 1940, the ship was renamed ''Niagara'', on 12 November 1940, and reclassified as a patrol gunboat, '''PG-52''' on 15 November 1940. She commissioned at New York on 20 January 1941.


==Service history==
==Service history==

===Caribbean===
===Caribbean===
''Niagara'' got underway from New York on 4 February 1941 to tend units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 operating between [[Miami]] and [[Key West, Florida]], and [[Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba. She departed Key West on 20 March 1941 for repairs at New York and operations at the Naval Torpedo Station, [[Newport, Rhode Island]] during the summer.
''Niagara'' got underway from New York on 4 February 1941 to tend units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 operating between [[Miami]] and [[Key West, Florida]], and [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base|Guantanamo Bay]], Cuba. She departed Key West on 20 March 1941 for repairs at New York and operations at the Naval Torpedo Station, [[Newport, Rhode Island]] during the summer.


===Pacific===
===Pacific===
''Niagara'' stood out from New York on 30 August 1941 enroute to Hawaii, via Guantanamo Bay, the [[Panama Canal]], and [[San Diego]], arriving at Pearl Harbor on 9 October to patrol on the [[Hawaiian Sea Frontier]]. On 29 November she departed as a unit of the escort of a convoy bound to the [[Fiji Islands]]. She was at sea with the convoy when the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor]]. The gunboat returned to that port on 15 December, serving as tender to units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 until 1 April 1942.
''Niagara'' stood out from New York on 30 August 1941 en route to Hawaii, via Guantanamo Bay, the [[Panama Canal]], and [[San Diego]], arriving at Pearl Harbor on 9 October to patrol on the [[Hawaiian Sea Frontier]]. On 29 November she departed Pearl as a unit of the escort of the [[Pensacola Convoy]] bound for the [[Philippines]]. She was at sea with the convoy approaching [[Fiji|Fiji Islands]] when the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor]]. The gunboat then returned to Pearl on 15 December, serving as tender to units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 until 1 April 1942.


She then escorted a convoy to San Diego enroute [[Coco Solo]], [[Panama Canal Zone]], where she tended torpedo boats and helped to guard the approaches to the Panama Canal. During overhaul in the [[New York Navy Yard]] in the summer, she fitted out to serve at Newport, Rhode Island, as a school ship for a training squadron of motor torpedo boats.
She then escorted a convoy to San Diego en route [[Coco Solo]], [[Panama Canal Zone]], where she tended torpedo boats and helped to guard the approaches to the Panama Canal. During an overhaul in the [[New York Navy Yard]] in the summer, she fitted out to serve at Newport, Rhode Island, as a school ship for a training squadron of motor torpedo boats.


She headed for the Southwest Pacific on 27 November via the Panama Canal and the [[Society Islands]]. Enroute, on 13 January 1943 ''Niagara'' was reclassified as the Navy's first [[motor torpedo boat tender]] and redesignated '''AGP–1'''. ''Niagara'' arrived at [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] on 17 January 1943 and began tending Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, Squadron 8. She sailed with the division on the 27th and reached her base at [[Tulagi]], [[Solomon Islands]] on 17 February. In ensuing months, she tended the motor torpedo boats running security patrols off [[Guadalcanal]].
She headed for the Southwest Pacific on 27 November via the Panama Canal and the [[Society Islands]]. En route, on 13 January 1943 ''Niagara'' was reclassified as the Navy's first [[motor torpedo boat tender]] and redesignated '''AGP–1'''. ''Niagara'' arrived at [[Nouméa]], [[New Caledonia]] on 17 January 1943 and began tending Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, Squadron 8. She sailed with the division on the 27th and reached her base at [[Tulagi]], [[Solomon Islands]] on 17 February. In the ensuing months, she tended the motor torpedo boats running security patrols off [[Guadalcanal]].


===Attacked at Tulagi===
===Attacked at Tulagi===
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===Sinking of ''Niagara''===
===Sinking of ''Niagara''===
[[File:USS Niagara (AGP-1) sinking off San Cristobal on 23 May 1943 (80-G-68537).jpg|thumb|''Niagara'' sinking on 23 May 1943.]]
On 22 May ''Niagara'', with Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, departed Tulagi headed towards [[New Guinea]]. The following morning a high-flying Japanese twin-engined monoplane attacked with four bombs. The ship made a tight starboard turn at maximum speed until the bombs were released, then swung ship hard to port. Three near-misses to starboard and one to port damaged ''Niagara's'' sound gear and the training mechanism of one 3&nbsp;inch gun and knocked out steering control temporarily. Half an hour later, when steering control had been regained, six more highflying twin-engine planes dropped a pattern of over a dozen bombs. One hit directly on Niagara's forecastle and several were damaging near-misses.
On 22 May ''Niagara'', with Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, departed Tulagi headed towards [[New Guinea]]. The following morning a high-flying Japanese twin-engined monoplane attacked with four bombs. The ship made a tight starboard turn at maximum speed until the bombs were released, then swung ship hard to port. Three near-misses to starboard and one to port damaged ''Niagara's'' sound gear and the training mechanism of one 3&nbsp;inch gun and knocked out steering control temporarily. Half an hour later, when steering control had been regained, six more highflying twin-engine planes dropped a pattern of over a dozen bombs. One hit directly on Niagara's forecastle and several were damaging near-misses.


Water rushing through a 14&nbsp;inch hole 6&nbsp;feet below her waterline flooded two storerooms, a passageway, and her engine room. All power and lighting failed, and her main engines stopped. Fire below decks forward was out of control, and ''Niagara'' listed rapidly to port. Her main engine and steering control were restored 7&nbsp;minutes after the attack. But her increasing list and imminent danger of explosion of her [[gasoline]] storage tanks necessitated the order to "abandon ship."
Water rushing through a 14-inch hole 6&nbsp;feet below her waterline flooded two storerooms, a passageway, and her engine room. All power and lighting failed, and her main engines stopped. Fire below decks forward was out of control, and ''Niagara'' listed rapidly to port. Her main engine and steering control were restored 7&nbsp;minutes after the attack. But her increasing list and imminent danger of explosion of her [[gasoline]] storage tanks necessitated the order to "abandon ship."


{{USS|PT–146||2}} and {{USS|PT–147||2}} came alongside her stern to take off some of ''Niagara's'' crew. Others went over her side into rafts and boats to be picked up by other motor torpedo boats. ''Niagara'' was then ablaze from bow to bridge. Flames were spreading aft, and ammunition was exploding on deck. Yet, despite her damage, not one of ''Niagara's'' 136 officers and men was killed or seriously wounded.
{{USS|PT–146||2}} and {{USS|PT–147||2}} came alongside her stern to take off some of ''Niagara's'' crew. Others went over her side into rafts and boats to be picked up by other motor torpedo boats. ''Niagara'' was then ablaze from bow to bridge. Flames were spreading aft, and ammunition was exploding on deck. Yet, despite her damage, not one of ''Niagara's'' 136 officers and men was killed or seriously wounded.
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== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category|USS Niagara (PG-52)}}
*{{navsource|12/09052|USS Niagara}}
*{{navsource|12/09052|USS Niagara}}


{{May 1943 shipwrecks}}
{{coord missing}}
{{coord missing|Pacific Ocean}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Niagara (PG-52)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Niagara (PG-52)}}
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[[Category:Motor torpedo boat tenders of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Motor torpedo boat tenders of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]
[[Category:Ships built in Maine]]
[[Category:Ships built in Bath, Maine]]
[[Category:United States Navy New York-related ships]]
[[Category:1929 ships]]
[[Category:1929 ships]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in May 1943]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by Japanese aircraft]]

Revision as of 22:43, 16 October 2024

No Photo Available
History
United States
NameUSS Niagara
NamesakeFort Niagara
BuilderBath Iron Works, Maine
Laid down14 November 1928
Launched7 June 1929
Acquiredby purchase, 16 October 1940
Commissioned20 January 1941
Reclassified
  • CMc-2 (Coastal minelayer), 31 October 1940
  • PG-52 (Patrol gunboat), 15 November 1940
  • AGP-1 (MTB tender), 13 January 1943
FateSunk in enemy action, 23 May 1943
General characteristics Alexander Corkum
TypePatrol gunboat / Motor torpedo boat tender
Displacement1,022 long tons (1,038 t) full
Length267 ft (81 m)
Beam35 ft (11 m)
Draft17 ft (5.2 m) at full load
Propulsion
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement139 officers and enlisted men
Armament2 × 3"/50 caliber guns (as a gunboat)

The seventh USS Niagara (CMc-2/PG-52/AGP-1) was an auxiliary ship of the United States Navy during World War II.

Niagara was laid down on 14 November 1928 as the steel-hulled civilian yacht Hi-Esmaro by the Bath Iron Works, Maine, launched on 7 June 1929, and delivered on 20 August. She was purchased by the Navy on 16 October 1940 from Mrs. Hiram Edward Manville of New York City. Converted to a coastal minelayer at the New York Navy Yard, and designated CMc-2 on 31 October 1940, the ship was renamed Niagara, on 12 November 1940, and reclassified as a patrol gunboat, PG-52 on 15 November 1940. She commissioned at New York on 20 January 1941.

Service history

Caribbean

Niagara got underway from New York on 4 February 1941 to tend units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 operating between Miami and Key West, Florida, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She departed Key West on 20 March 1941 for repairs at New York and operations at the Naval Torpedo Station, Newport, Rhode Island during the summer.

Pacific

Niagara stood out from New York on 30 August 1941 en route to Hawaii, via Guantanamo Bay, the Panama Canal, and San Diego, arriving at Pearl Harbor on 9 October to patrol on the Hawaiian Sea Frontier. On 29 November she departed Pearl as a unit of the escort of the Pensacola Convoy bound for the Philippines. She was at sea with the convoy approaching Fiji Islands when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The gunboat then returned to Pearl on 15 December, serving as tender to units of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 until 1 April 1942.

She then escorted a convoy to San Diego en route Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, where she tended torpedo boats and helped to guard the approaches to the Panama Canal. During an overhaul in the New York Navy Yard in the summer, she fitted out to serve at Newport, Rhode Island, as a school ship for a training squadron of motor torpedo boats.

She headed for the Southwest Pacific on 27 November via the Panama Canal and the Society Islands. En route, on 13 January 1943 Niagara was reclassified as the Navy's first motor torpedo boat tender and redesignated AGP–1. Niagara arrived at Nouméa, New Caledonia on 17 January 1943 and began tending Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, Squadron 8. She sailed with the division on the 27th and reached her base at Tulagi, Solomon Islands on 17 February. In the ensuing months, she tended the motor torpedo boats running security patrols off Guadalcanal.

Attacked at Tulagi

On 7 April the Japanese raided the Guadalcanal-Tulagi area with 177 planes, of which about 25 were shot down. Two bombs sank the New Zealand corvette HMNZS Moa. Niagara, in the thick of the fight, was north of the harbor, moored to the west bank of the Maliali River, heading downstream with minesweeper Rail (AM-26) tied up outboard well aft. Nine enemy planes came up the river, none of them over 150 feet above the water. Niagara and Rail took them all under fire.

The first plane, already aflame, crashed into trees about 1,000 yards astern of Niagara. The next two planes escaped, but the fourth rapidly lost altitude in a stream of white smoke to explode behind the hills to the north. The following two raiders passed within 150 yards and attempted to strafe the ship, but their firing was erratic and they wobbled uncertainly as they passed through Niagara's heavy fire before crashing into the woods off her port quarter The next two planes sheared up and to the right when taken under fire. One trailed light brown smoke as it disappeared close over the hilltops abaft Niagara's port beam. The other passed to starboard and crashed in the hills on her starboard quarter.

Sinking of Niagara

Niagara sinking on 23 May 1943.

On 22 May Niagara, with Motor Torpedo Boat Division 23, departed Tulagi headed towards New Guinea. The following morning a high-flying Japanese twin-engined monoplane attacked with four bombs. The ship made a tight starboard turn at maximum speed until the bombs were released, then swung ship hard to port. Three near-misses to starboard and one to port damaged Niagara's sound gear and the training mechanism of one 3 inch gun and knocked out steering control temporarily. Half an hour later, when steering control had been regained, six more highflying twin-engine planes dropped a pattern of over a dozen bombs. One hit directly on Niagara's forecastle and several were damaging near-misses.

Water rushing through a 14-inch hole 6 feet below her waterline flooded two storerooms, a passageway, and her engine room. All power and lighting failed, and her main engines stopped. Fire below decks forward was out of control, and Niagara listed rapidly to port. Her main engine and steering control were restored 7 minutes after the attack. But her increasing list and imminent danger of explosion of her gasoline storage tanks necessitated the order to "abandon ship."

PT–146 and PT–147 came alongside her stern to take off some of Niagara's crew. Others went over her side into rafts and boats to be picked up by other motor torpedo boats. Niagara was then ablaze from bow to bridge. Flames were spreading aft, and ammunition was exploding on deck. Yet, despite her damage, not one of Niagara's 136 officers and men was killed or seriously wounded.

PT–147 launched a torpedo which struck Niagara in the gasoline tanks. She exploded with a sheet of flame 300 feet high, and went down in less than a minute. The motor torpedo boats landed her crew at Tulagi early the next morning.

Awards

Niagara received one battle star for World War II service.

References