USS APc-25
Encyclopedia
USS APc-25 was a United States Navy
APc-1 class coastal transport vessel. It was assigned to the Pacific in World War II
where it transported supplies, personnel and munitions around the islands in the Southern Solomon Islands
. It was under constant threat of air, sea and submarine attack.
directed the construction of 50 AMc coastal minesweepers, AMc 150-199. In February 1942, the Bureau of Ships
issued specifications for modified design for the AMc 150-199. On April 13, 1942, the Chief of Naval Operations requested that the 50 vessels be constructed as “raider transports, AP,” for use in the South Pacific.
On April 20, 1942, the District Craft Development Board recommended the following three uses for the redesigned APc transport vessels:
1. Transportation of two officers and 74 men (possibly a raiding party) for maximum for each of 24 hours.
2. Transportation of two officers, 15 men, and a cargo of 1,500 cu. ft. for 24 hours.
3. Carrying a cargo of 4,000 cu. ft. (17 tons) and no passengers on a voyage of 2,500 miles.
AMc-161 was thus redesigned as APc-25.
The Navy Special Collections & Archives contains two declassified Ship Action Reports regarding APc-25 during August 1943.
The first report, dated August 15, 1943 (11 pages in length), pertains to rescue work by APc-25 following the sinking of , on August 13, 1943. The second report, dated August 18, 1943 (11 pages in length), deals largely with enemy aircraft attacks sustained by APc-25. The Ship Action Reports were written by Commanding Officer Lieutenant John D. Cartano
, and include sworn statements by other officers.
, Guadalcanal. It received orders to take medical supplies and mail to American forces stationed at Enogai on the western side of New Georgia Island, and to evacuate casualties and convoy LCT 325 and LCT 327 to the same place with supplies and equipment. On August 13, 1943, APc-25 received a condition red, and enemy action ensued. A Japanese torpedo plane made a hit on John Penn and was hit in so doing. It crashed into the water a few hundred feet from John Penn. APc-25 immediately gave the ship emergency full speed ahead. APc-25 left its convoy, and was beside the John Penn in approximately 3 minutes. APc-25 was the first ship of any kind to arrive. Fire had broken out at the stern of John Penn, and oil from that ship on the water had caught fire. APc-25 stopped just short of the burning oil near the stern of John Penn where a large number of her crew were swimming, floating or struggling in the water. Many were injured and were having difficulty staying afloat.
Without waiting for life rafts to be launched, at least four of the men on APc-25 dived over the side to rescue whomever they could. The first to go over the side was Lieutenant E.L. Burdick, third officer and engineering officer of APc-25. He was followed by William Lavern Hull, Thomas Francis Blake, Willard Daniel Persson, and possibly other men. Each was able to take in tow at least one of the injured men. All suitable gear was immediately put over the side of APc-25, including a rubber life raft, two 10-men life rafts, and a wherry. The crew of APc-25 manned the rafts and boat. They were quickly filled with men taken in tow. The crew of APc-25 was able to pick up numerous others by paddling around.
Cargo nets were put over the side of APc-25, which were used by survivors able to swing to the side of the ship and climb up. Stretchers were lowered to raise those were too severely injured to climb aboard and those who could not otherwise be raised. The Commanding Officer of the arrived on the scene at about the time that John Penn sank, although they picked up no casualties. Higgins boats (LCVP
) and ducks were dispatched from shore and assisted materially in the rescue operations. The most severely injured survivors were put aboard the Higgins boats and sent ashore for immediate treatment after crew members of APc-25 administered what first aid it could. The crew members included a doctor and two extra pharmacists mates, J. D. Johnson and H. G. Hubbert. Those who were able to make the grade were sent ashore in the Higgins boats to receive hospitalization. Some were kept aboard in crew's bunks until receiving first aid treatment, and until Dr. Johnson was certain that they could safely be sent ashore. Parts of six Higgins boats were filled with these casualties. The number of survivors picked up and sent ashore was conservatively numbered at 35. There may have been more.
While first aid was being administered aboard, the life rafts and boats were searching for additional injured men. Some were picked up in a semi-conscious condition, talking incoherently, and badly injured and bleeding. Many were shock victims resulting from the explosion. Others had leg injuries, concussions, and deep gashes on the head and face. A few were severely burned. None died or drowned to the knowledge of the crew of APc-25. After the crew was satisfied that there were no more men who could be rescued and no more survivors in the water, and after APc-25 had sent ashore its last case, APc-25 returned to its convoy which had been ordered by APc-25 to stand by. APc-25 then proceeded to carry out its orders and mission, departing Laguna Point on August 13, 1943, at 10:49 p.m.
During the rescue operation, APc-25 had pressure in its fire mains. However, there was no possibility of saving John Penn. The fire spread quickly, and in approximately 8 minutes, according to Commanding Officer Lieutenant John D. Cartano, John Penn began settling by the stern. In approximately a half an hour, at 9:55 p.m., the ship sank.
to New Georgia Island. APc-25 left Lunga Point
, Guadalcanal Island in a convoy with the LCT 325 and the LCT 327. These two ships were loaded with supplies and rations for American forces stationed at Enogai, New Georgia Island. The trip was approximately 235 miles. The ships proceeded via Russell Islands
, Segi Point, Mongo Entrance, and Visu Visu Point. The convoy arrived at Enogai on August 16, 1943.
On August 15, 1943, planes were heard off the port bow of APc-25, approximately 2 miles beyond Lever Harbor. There was almost constant enemy air activity from that time until approximately early morning on August 16, 1943.
On August 15, 1943, a flare was dropped over Vila, Solomon Islands on Kolombangara
. A second flare was dropped over Rice Anchorage. Two additional letters were dropped about two points off the starboard bow of APc-25, at about 1,500 yards distance. At approximately the time of the last two flares, a bomb, not over 500 pounds, was dropped off the port bow at a distance of approximately 300 yards. The concussion was felt. No shrapnel hit APc-25 or the crew. APc-25 had passed Visu Visu Point approximately 1/2 hour previously, entered Kula Gulf
, and was near Wilson Harbour
, 1-1/2 miles offshore at the time of the engagement.
On August 16, 1943, three planes attacked the APc-25 and its convoy at low altitude. The convoy had just arrived at Enogai Harbor, New Georgia Island, and was unloading mailbags at that time. Approximately 12 bombs were dropped in the area. Two strafing attacks were made by at least one of the planes. One of the crew members of the LCT 325 was hit in the right knee and his left leg was broken near the thigh by a shell fragment. Another member of the same crew sustained a superficial shell wound.
A Japanese Float Zero plane strafed the PT boats that were screening the convoy on the same date, and then strafed the LCT 325 and LCT 327. When the plane came in at low altitude of approximately 500 yards, the LCTs opened fire. The plane dropped a bomb at that time and then proceeded in the direction of the APc-25. The APc-25 opened fire with three 20 mm Oerlikon machine guns and two 50 caliber machine guns when the plane came within range at a distance of about 500 yards. The remaining guns were not in position to open fire. The APc-25 fired about five magazines of 20 mm ammunition and about 150 rounds of 50-caliber ammunition. Some of the crew believed that the plane was hit after seeing a short burst of flame. Rev. Paul Redmond, chaplain of the Forth Marine Raiders
Battalion found the remains of a Japanese plane the following morning, shot down on the shore in that area near Enogai. However, Commanding Officer John D. Cartano reported that he could not positively state whether the APc-25 had shot down the plane.
The APc-25 reported much plane activity over Rendova Island
and Munda, Solomon Islands. At least one Japanese plane was clearly illustrated by searchlights. Anti-aircraft fire was also seen over those areas.
On August 16, 1943, the crew of the APc-25 unloaded its passengers, cargo and mail and left the LTCs to unload the following day. The APc-25 departed from Enogai. They reported continuous enemy activity for several hours. Flares were dropped off Lever Harbor and planes were heard overhead at intervals until 5 a.m. in the morning. At one point, a Japanese bomber flew overhead, at low altitude of approximately 1800 yards, but was not within range. The APc-25 did not open fire in order to keep its location undisclosed. No bombs were dropped.
There were two PT boats that were most helpful to the APc-25 and saved it from serious damage. When the Japanese planes came in for attack or dropped flares, these boats increased their speed and weight, and exploded smoke charges for the purpose of attracting attention and drawing the attack. This was in order to let the convoy get through safely. It was very effective in diverting the attack from the APc-25. At least once, their smoke charges were heavily bombed by the Japanese planes. No additional damage was done to any of the ships. Robert Kelly, Commander Naval Motor Torpedo Base at Lever Harbor, New Georgia Island, reported 12 bombs dropped and three Japanese planes engaged in the attack.
The APc-25 anchored at Lever Harbor on its return from Enogai. It returned the next night to pick up the LCT 325 and LCT 327, escorted the two ships back to Renard Sound, Russell Islands
, and left of the North entrance on August 18, 1943. The APc-25 arrived at Tulagi
on August 18, and discharged 74 ambulatory cases and three stretcher cases. Its mission was then completed. The APc-25 returned to Carter City for water.
Photograph at Canfisco Home Plant docks, Vancouver, November 2008
Renamed Cape Scott
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
APc-1 class coastal transport vessel. It was assigned to the Pacific in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
where it transported supplies, personnel and munitions around the islands in the Southern Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. It was under constant threat of air, sea and submarine attack.
Class notes
On January 19, 1942, the Chief of Naval OperationsChief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
directed the construction of 50 AMc coastal minesweepers, AMc 150-199. In February 1942, the Bureau of Ships
Bureau of Ships
The United States Navy's Bureau of Ships was established by Congress on June 20, 1940, by a law which consolidated the functions of the Bureau of Construction and Repair and the Bureau of Engineering. The new Bureau was to be headed by a Chief and Deputy-Chief, one selected from the engineering...
issued specifications for modified design for the AMc 150-199. On April 13, 1942, the Chief of Naval Operations requested that the 50 vessels be constructed as “raider transports, AP,” for use in the South Pacific.
On April 20, 1942, the District Craft Development Board recommended the following three uses for the redesigned APc transport vessels:
1. Transportation of two officers and 74 men (possibly a raiding party) for maximum for each of 24 hours.
2. Transportation of two officers, 15 men, and a cargo of 1,500 cu. ft. for 24 hours.
3. Carrying a cargo of 4,000 cu. ft. (17 tons) and no passengers on a voyage of 2,500 miles.
AMc-161 was thus redesigned as APc-25.
Assignment in World War II
APc-25 was assigned to the Pacific in World War II where it transported supplies, personnel and munitions around the islands in the Southern Solomon Islands.The Navy Special Collections & Archives contains two declassified Ship Action Reports regarding APc-25 during August 1943.
The first report, dated August 15, 1943 (11 pages in length), pertains to rescue work by APc-25 following the sinking of , on August 13, 1943. The second report, dated August 18, 1943 (11 pages in length), deals largely with enemy aircraft attacks sustained by APc-25. The Ship Action Reports were written by Commanding Officer Lieutenant John D. Cartano
John D. Cartano
John Daniel Cartano was an American lawyer.-Early life:Cartano was born on April 4, 1909 in Seattle, Washington to Daniel A. and Margaret Cartano. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1926 where he was honored as a commencement speaker and 3-year letterman in tennis and golf...
, and include sworn statements by other officers.
Rescue of the survivors of John Penn
According to the first Ship Action Report dated August 15, 1943, APc-25 was stationed 1/2 miles off Lunga PointLunga Point
Lunga Point is a promontory on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the site of a naval battle during World War II. It was also the name of a nearby airfield, later named Henderson Field....
, Guadalcanal. It received orders to take medical supplies and mail to American forces stationed at Enogai on the western side of New Georgia Island, and to evacuate casualties and convoy LCT 325 and LCT 327 to the same place with supplies and equipment. On August 13, 1943, APc-25 received a condition red, and enemy action ensued. A Japanese torpedo plane made a hit on John Penn and was hit in so doing. It crashed into the water a few hundred feet from John Penn. APc-25 immediately gave the ship emergency full speed ahead. APc-25 left its convoy, and was beside the John Penn in approximately 3 minutes. APc-25 was the first ship of any kind to arrive. Fire had broken out at the stern of John Penn, and oil from that ship on the water had caught fire. APc-25 stopped just short of the burning oil near the stern of John Penn where a large number of her crew were swimming, floating or struggling in the water. Many were injured and were having difficulty staying afloat.
Without waiting for life rafts to be launched, at least four of the men on APc-25 dived over the side to rescue whomever they could. The first to go over the side was Lieutenant E.L. Burdick, third officer and engineering officer of APc-25. He was followed by William Lavern Hull, Thomas Francis Blake, Willard Daniel Persson, and possibly other men. Each was able to take in tow at least one of the injured men. All suitable gear was immediately put over the side of APc-25, including a rubber life raft, two 10-men life rafts, and a wherry. The crew of APc-25 manned the rafts and boat. They were quickly filled with men taken in tow. The crew of APc-25 was able to pick up numerous others by paddling around.
Cargo nets were put over the side of APc-25, which were used by survivors able to swing to the side of the ship and climb up. Stretchers were lowered to raise those were too severely injured to climb aboard and those who could not otherwise be raised. The Commanding Officer of the arrived on the scene at about the time that John Penn sank, although they picked up no casualties. Higgins boats (LCVP
LCVP
The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel or Higgins boat was a landing craft used extensively in amphibious landings in World War II. The craft was designed by Andrew Higgins of Louisiana, United States, based on boats made for operating in swamps and marshes...
) and ducks were dispatched from shore and assisted materially in the rescue operations. The most severely injured survivors were put aboard the Higgins boats and sent ashore for immediate treatment after crew members of APc-25 administered what first aid it could. The crew members included a doctor and two extra pharmacists mates, J. D. Johnson and H. G. Hubbert. Those who were able to make the grade were sent ashore in the Higgins boats to receive hospitalization. Some were kept aboard in crew's bunks until receiving first aid treatment, and until Dr. Johnson was certain that they could safely be sent ashore. Parts of six Higgins boats were filled with these casualties. The number of survivors picked up and sent ashore was conservatively numbered at 35. There may have been more.
While first aid was being administered aboard, the life rafts and boats were searching for additional injured men. Some were picked up in a semi-conscious condition, talking incoherently, and badly injured and bleeding. Many were shock victims resulting from the explosion. Others had leg injuries, concussions, and deep gashes on the head and face. A few were severely burned. None died or drowned to the knowledge of the crew of APc-25. After the crew was satisfied that there were no more men who could be rescued and no more survivors in the water, and after APc-25 had sent ashore its last case, APc-25 returned to its convoy which had been ordered by APc-25 to stand by. APc-25 then proceeded to carry out its orders and mission, departing Laguna Point on August 13, 1943, at 10:49 p.m.
During the rescue operation, APc-25 had pressure in its fire mains. However, there was no possibility of saving John Penn. The fire spread quickly, and in approximately 8 minutes, according to Commanding Officer Lieutenant John D. Cartano, John Penn began settling by the stern. In approximately a half an hour, at 9:55 p.m., the ship sank.
Other South Solomon Islands naval action
A second Special Action Report dated August 18, 1943 detailed enemy action and engagement on the trip from Lunga PointLunga Point
Lunga Point is a promontory on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the site of a naval battle during World War II. It was also the name of a nearby airfield, later named Henderson Field....
to New Georgia Island. APc-25 left Lunga Point
Lunga Point
Lunga Point is a promontory on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, the site of a naval battle during World War II. It was also the name of a nearby airfield, later named Henderson Field....
, Guadalcanal Island in a convoy with the LCT 325 and the LCT 327. These two ships were loaded with supplies and rations for American forces stationed at Enogai, New Georgia Island. The trip was approximately 235 miles. The ships proceeded via Russell Islands
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
, Segi Point, Mongo Entrance, and Visu Visu Point. The convoy arrived at Enogai on August 16, 1943.
On August 15, 1943, planes were heard off the port bow of APc-25, approximately 2 miles beyond Lever Harbor. There was almost constant enemy air activity from that time until approximately early morning on August 16, 1943.
On August 15, 1943, a flare was dropped over Vila, Solomon Islands on Kolombangara
Kolombangara
Kolombangara is an island in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean...
. A second flare was dropped over Rice Anchorage. Two additional letters were dropped about two points off the starboard bow of APc-25, at about 1,500 yards distance. At approximately the time of the last two flares, a bomb, not over 500 pounds, was dropped off the port bow at a distance of approximately 300 yards. The concussion was felt. No shrapnel hit APc-25 or the crew. APc-25 had passed Visu Visu Point approximately 1/2 hour previously, entered Kula Gulf
Kula Gulf
Kula Gulf is a waterway in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It lies between the islands of Kolombangara to the west, Arundel Island to the southwest, and New Georgia to the south and east. To the north, it opens into New Georgia Sound...
, and was near Wilson Harbour
Wilson Harbour
Wilson Harbour is a bay 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long, between Kade Point and Cape Demidov along the south coast of South Georgia. This coast was roughly charted by a Russian expedition under Bellingshausen in 1819. Wilson Harbour was named about 1912, probably for J. Innes Wilson, who sketched...
, 1-1/2 miles offshore at the time of the engagement.
On August 16, 1943, three planes attacked the APc-25 and its convoy at low altitude. The convoy had just arrived at Enogai Harbor, New Georgia Island, and was unloading mailbags at that time. Approximately 12 bombs were dropped in the area. Two strafing attacks were made by at least one of the planes. One of the crew members of the LCT 325 was hit in the right knee and his left leg was broken near the thigh by a shell fragment. Another member of the same crew sustained a superficial shell wound.
A Japanese Float Zero plane strafed the PT boats that were screening the convoy on the same date, and then strafed the LCT 325 and LCT 327. When the plane came in at low altitude of approximately 500 yards, the LCTs opened fire. The plane dropped a bomb at that time and then proceeded in the direction of the APc-25. The APc-25 opened fire with three 20 mm Oerlikon machine guns and two 50 caliber machine guns when the plane came within range at a distance of about 500 yards. The remaining guns were not in position to open fire. The APc-25 fired about five magazines of 20 mm ammunition and about 150 rounds of 50-caliber ammunition. Some of the crew believed that the plane was hit after seeing a short burst of flame. Rev. Paul Redmond, chaplain of the Forth Marine Raiders
Marine Raiders
The Marine Raiders were elite units established by the United States Marine Corps during World War II to conduct amphibious light infantry warfare, particularly in landing in rubber boats and operating behind the lines...
Battalion found the remains of a Japanese plane the following morning, shot down on the shore in that area near Enogai. However, Commanding Officer John D. Cartano reported that he could not positively state whether the APc-25 had shot down the plane.
The APc-25 reported much plane activity over Rendova Island
Rendova Island
Rendova Island is an island, part of the New Georgia Islands of Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. There are two indigenous languages spoken on Rendova Island: the Austronesian language Ughele in the north, and the Papuan language Touo in the south.The black-sand...
and Munda, Solomon Islands. At least one Japanese plane was clearly illustrated by searchlights. Anti-aircraft fire was also seen over those areas.
On August 16, 1943, the crew of the APc-25 unloaded its passengers, cargo and mail and left the LTCs to unload the following day. The APc-25 departed from Enogai. They reported continuous enemy activity for several hours. Flares were dropped off Lever Harbor and planes were heard overhead at intervals until 5 a.m. in the morning. At one point, a Japanese bomber flew overhead, at low altitude of approximately 1800 yards, but was not within range. The APc-25 did not open fire in order to keep its location undisclosed. No bombs were dropped.
There were two PT boats that were most helpful to the APc-25 and saved it from serious damage. When the Japanese planes came in for attack or dropped flares, these boats increased their speed and weight, and exploded smoke charges for the purpose of attracting attention and drawing the attack. This was in order to let the convoy get through safely. It was very effective in diverting the attack from the APc-25. At least once, their smoke charges were heavily bombed by the Japanese planes. No additional damage was done to any of the ships. Robert Kelly, Commander Naval Motor Torpedo Base at Lever Harbor, New Georgia Island, reported 12 bombs dropped and three Japanese planes engaged in the attack.
The APc-25 anchored at Lever Harbor on its return from Enogai. It returned the next night to pick up the LCT 325 and LCT 327, escorted the two ships back to Renard Sound, Russell Islands
Russell Islands
The Russell Islands are two small islands, as well as several islets, of volcanic origin, in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands. They are located approximately 48 km northwest from Guadalcanal. The islands are partially covered in coconut plantations, and have a copra and oil factory at...
, and left of the North entrance on August 18, 1943. The APc-25 arrived at Tulagi
Tulagi
Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. The town of the same name on the island Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small island (5.5 km by 1 km) in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida...
on August 18, and discharged 74 ambulatory cases and three stretcher cases. Its mission was then completed. The APc-25 returned to Carter City for water.
Photograph at Canfisco Home Plant docks, Vancouver, November 2008
Renamed Cape Scott