About this Unit
USS Somersworth (PCE(R)-849) was a PCE(R)-848-class patrol craft escort and rescue ship commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Launched in 1944, she was primarily assigned to convoy escort duties and rescue operations in the Atlantic theater, safeguarding Allied shipping from submarines and air attacks. After the war, she was renamed USS Somersworth in 1956 and continued to serve in a variety of training and reserve capacities. The ship was decommissioned in 1968, marking nearly 25 years of dedicated service to the U.S. Navy.
Historical Facts
•
Namesake: USS Somersworth (PCE(R)-849) was named after Somersworth, New Hampshire, honoring the town’s contributions during World War II.
•
Ship Class: Somersworth was a PCE(R)-848-class Patrol Craft Escort (Rescue)—a type of vessel designed to provide anti-submarine warfare and rescue services.
•
Launch and Commission: The ship was launched on 17 September 1943 by the Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company in Chicago, Illinois, and commissioned on 15 March 1944.
•
World War II Service: USS Somersworth served in the Pacific Theater, providing medical assistance and rescue operations for wounded sailors and downed aviators during amphibious invasions.
•
Medical Facilities: As a rescue escort ship, Somersworth was equipped with a full hospital and surgical suite, including operating rooms and x-ray facilities—a unique feature for a ship of its size.
•
Post-War Role: After WWII, Somersworth served as a training vessel for Naval Reserve units and later as a Naval Reserve training ship on the Great Lakes.
•
Renaming: In 1956, PCE(R)-849 was officially named USS Somersworth, becoming one of the few ships in the Navy to be named for a town in New Hampshire.
•
Cuban Missile Crisis: During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, Somersworth was activated for potential service, highlighting her continued importance in Cold War readiness.
•
Decommissioning: USS Somersworth was decommissioned in 1968 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register soon after, marking the end of her service.
•
Legacy: The city of Somersworth, New Hampshire, maintains a proud connection to the ship, commemorating her service and the crew’s contributions through reunions and memorials.
