Gunboats and Monitors

The Daihatsu Class or 14m landing craft (大発, abbreviation of 大型発動機艇 which means "large motorized boat) was a type of landing craft, used by the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It was similar to the Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), with a bow ramp that was lowered to disembark cargo upon riding up onto the beach. The landing craft was more seaworthy than an LCVP due to its hull design. It was constructed of a metal hull and powered by a diesel engine.
The landing craft could be modified to carry weapons of up to 37mm caliber as armament and could be uparmoured against 40mm fire.

Daihatsu class landing craft - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

SC 648 at Hollandia New Guinea 1944.

 

Loose definition of gunboat:

In the later 19th century and early 20th century, "gunboat" was the common name for smaller armed vessels, often called "patrol gunboats". These could be classified, from the smallest to the largest, into river gunboats, river monitors, coastal defense gunboats, and full-fledged monitors for coastal bombardments.

During the Second World War the gunboat was for the Royal Navy a vessel identical to torpedo boats, but equipped with machine guns and larger weapons up to 57 mm in calibre for attacking enemy torpedo boats or small craft - the Motor Gun Boat (MGB).

Here is some gunboat fluff on the Steve McQueen's film Sand Pebbles (1966) : Production Notes from "The Sand Pebbles"

 

"After the end of World War II in August 1945, Zumwalt continued to serve until December 8 as the prize crew officer of the HIMJS Ataka, a 1,200-ton Japanese river gunboat with a crew of 200. In this capacity, he took the first American-controlled ship since the outbreak of World War II up the Huangpu River to Shanghai. There they helped to restore order and assisted in disarming the Japanese."

Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr. - World War II



[SIZE=-1]GunBoat”ATAKA”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]

 

The Ion C Bratianu was a monitor of 680 tons displacement launched in 1907 and stationed on the Danube. The Ion C Bratianu had a top speed of 13 knots and carried a complement of 110. She was armed with three 4.7 inch guns; one 3 inch anti-aircraft gun; two 47 mm guns and two machine-guns.

 

"After the outbreak of World War II Finland had stepped up its neutrality monitoring in the beginning of September. The coast defence ships with gunboats Uusimaa, Karjala and Turunmaa and patrol boats VMV 8, VMV 10 and VMV 12 sailed to Saaristomeri to be ready for any threats to Ahvenanmaa. On 26 October two Soviet SB-2 planes flew over the Armoured Flotilla that was in anchor by the Nauvo island. 2 November the ships moved to Högsåra anchorage. Because of threatening situation and border violations by Soviet airplanes, Finland began to lay mines on its own sea lanes in the end of October. When the Winter War broke out, the first task was to occupy the demilitarized Ahvenanmaa. This was done rapidly, only two days after the outbreak of war. Light naval forces protected the transports.
The coast defence ships saw not much action in Winter War. During the war the ships stayed in the west. Most of the time they were hiding from Soviet warplanes. On the night 29/30 November the headquarters on Ilmarinen was informed that diplomatic relations between Finland and Soviet Union had been cut. On the morning of 30th at 11.25 two SB-2 planes flew over the ships anchored at Högsåra and dropped 10 bombs at Ilmarinen. The ships sailed immeadiately to Lohmi and the next wave of nine SB-2 found an empty anchorage. When cruiser Kirov approached Hanko and had a short fight with Russarö fort 1 December, the coast defence ships were in Borstö area 30 miles west from Hanko. They sailed towards Hanko, but had no chance to take part in this battle. This short trip to west caused coast defence ships to miss their meeting of transports they were supposed to protect during Ahvenanmaa occupation. The coast defence ships remained in Ahvenanmaa area till end of January 1940. Their main anchorage was Flisö. During the daytime the ships cruised at low speed and during nights and days with low visibility they remained in anchor.
The enemy air force began to attack western harbours after the middle of December. To assist the air defence, coast defence ships moved to Kihti area between Ahvenanmaa and Turku archipelagoes on 23.12. On 25 December the coast defence ships with four VMV patrol boats were anchored at Kihti (Skiftet). At 08.30 the ships lifted anchors and started to circle around. One hour later three SB planes were seen 7 000 m east and two were shot down by 105 mm fire. Ten planes approached then from east. At 13.51 three planes made diversion attack against Väinämöinen. The rest of planes attacked then Ilmarinen in two groups and two 500 kg bomb near misses and machine gun fire killed seaman Armas Nordqvist and wounded seven others. At 14.30 two planes attacked and both were shot down. The fire control of the ships had not been very good. Too much attention had been paid to less dangerous planes and too much ammunition had been used.
After Ahvenanmaa waters became covered with ice in the end of January 1940, all naval activities ceased. Small vessels stayed in Maarianhamina, but coast defence ships moved to Turku to assist its air defence. Here they did most of their fighting. The ships were anchored, painted white and their decks were covered by a thin layer of snow. Turku was attacked 61 times by about 440 planes. The coast defence ships provided effective AA barrage that saved the city. The Navy estimated that 35 attacks by 218 bombers and 110 escorting fighters were done against the coast defence ships. The ships used a lot of ammunition and especially supply of 105 mm fuses was critical. On the other hand, the 40 mm Vickers guns were almost useless. They had much malfunctions and could not shoot high enough. During the last stages of Winter War coast defence ships were ready to counter landings to Hanko-Porkkala area. It was also planned to send them to support the bitter fights on Bay of Vyborg. This failed as no icebreaker with smokeless diesels was available to open lanes. There was also risk of propeller damages and most likely ammunition had not been sufficient for the expected air attacks. "

Coast Defence Ships of the Finnish Navy

 

LCS(L)




They were all built in the last two years of the war and were designed for close inshore artillery support during island invasions. They carried anti-aircraft guns, machine guns and 10 rocket launchers. They were small enough so they could go in close to shore and tough enough to drive off bigger ships.

They served in the Philippines, in the invasion of Iwo Jima, and most notably in the Okinawa campaign.

EagleSpeak: Sunday Ship History: The Original LCSs

 

M7607 Ex French "Le Cerbère" in Kriegsmarine service.




M6009

 

The older gunboat HMS Brinio [540 tonnes, 4 x 105 mm automatic Krupp gun, 2 x 12,7 AA MG, 1x 40 mm Bofors AA, crew 65]. This ship was part of the Zuiderzee [Yssellake] Flotilla. The crew of the HMS Brinio witnessed the loss of her sister-ship HMS Friso at the Zuiderzee from about three sea-miles distance. The HMS Brinio was also herself attacked by the Luftwaffe planes. Although she was not directly hit, a number of near misses damaged her hull. She was quickly repaired at the port of Enkhuizen and returned to her post. When the capitulation was announced over the radio, her crew quickly scuttled the ship. In 1942 the ship was recovered by the Kriegsmarine. It is unknown whether it was repaired and recommissioned or that it was scrapped.
War over Holland - May 1940: the Dutch struggle

 

Yugoslav Tiger Fleet PC3

 

Built as schooner Hermes by W.F. Stone & Co., Oakland, California for Wiliams- Diamond Co. agents for Jaluit Gesellschaft of Hamburg, Germany and launched in 1914.
As Hermes engaged in inter-island copra trade in the German held Pacific Islands until being interned in Hawaii at the outbreak of World War I.
Commissioned as USS Hermes April 1, 1918. Hermes engaged in patrolling the westernmost Hawaiian islands until the end of World War I.
Decommissioned January 23, 1919 and laid up at Pearl Harbor where it was used variously as an Air Detachment, Pacific Fleet depot ship and yacht until being stricken from the Navy List July 1, 1926.
Sold to Lanikai Fish Co. and renamed Lanikai in 1926. Converted to fishing trade purposes by installation of new diesel engine and a 40-ton capacity freezer room.
Sold to Hawaiian Sea Products Co. in 1929 and used in the pearling and fishing industries in Hawaiian waters. Laid up in 1931 due to poor economics of the fishing industry.
Sold to Northrup Castle in late 1933. He used Lanikai as a commercial charter yacht based at Honolulu.
Sold to Harry W. Crosby in early 1936 and homeport shifted to Seattle, Washington. Engaged in Alaskan salmon fishery trade during the summer of 1936.
Sold in early 1937 to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios for use in making Hurricane, starring Jon Hall and Dorothy Lamour. Following completion of the film Lanikai was used as the MGM yacht.
Sold April 6, 1939 to George W. Simmie acting as agent for E.M. Grim, an American resident of Manila, Philippine Islands. Assigned to Luzon Stevedoring Co. and used as Mr. Grim's yacht and inter-island trading ship.
Chartered to the U.S. Navy on or about December 4, 1941 for an indefinite period for $1 per year with the ship to be returned in the same condition as when chartered.

Commissioned as USS Lanikai, an auxillary schooner, December 5, 1941, at Cavite, P.I., Lt. Kemp Tolley commanding. Lanikai detailed to patrol the vicinity of Camranh Bay, French Indo-China with a mixed crew of U.S. Navy ratings and Philippine Insular Force seamen. Departed Manila Bay December 7, 1941. Recalled the morning of December 8 while still in the vicinity of Corregidor I. and assigned to the Inshore Patrol. Detached from Inshore Patrol December 26, and with passengers, ordered to attempt transit to the nearest friendly port.

• Arrived on the north coast of Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia) January 5, 1942.
• Arrived Makassar, Celebes, January 10.
• Arrived Denpasar, Bali, January 19.
• Arrived Surabaya, Java, January 22. Partially refitted in NEI Navy dockyard at Surabaya.
• Departed Surabaya, February 17.
• Arrived Tjilatjap, Java, February 25. The Filipino Insular Force seamen enlisted into the U.S. Navy Reserve for duration of World War II. Most remained in service until retirement.
• Departed south from Tjilatjap with passengers February 26.
• Landfall at Montebello Island, Western Australia, March 6, 1942.
• Arrived Geraldton, March 14.
• Arrived Fremantle (port for Perth), March 18.
• Departed Fremantle, April 3, with orders to patrol the coast of Western Australia looking for evidence of Japanese landings. Patrolled north to Denham.
• LCDR Tolley transferred April 27 with LCDR Charles Adair taking command.
• Transferred to Royal Australian Navy August 22, 1942 and converted to boom defense ship.
• Commissioned HMAS Lanikai, December 9, 1942 and assigned to Albany, Western Australia.
• Decommissioned August 22, 1945 and transferred to U.S. Navy.
• Converted to schooner rig in Fremantle and returned to Manila in 1946. Luzon Stevedoring Co. refused to accept Lanikai in poor condition.
• Sunk during typhoon at Subic Bay 1947.

USS Lanikai, a 67 ton wooden hulled motorized schooner rigged ship. Armament: one 3" 1898 Spanish iron sighted rifle, one .50 AA and one .30 machine gun. Complement on commissioning was one officer and 18 crew.

USS Lanikai and USS Hermes

 

USS Argus PY-14

 

Hmmm, a fisheries patrol cutter is now a gunboat. Next time a Hurricane will be a heavy bomber

 

LOL Well I decided to add small craft that were armed too .

 

Armed Yachts and the NAP

HMA Ships Adele, Laurabada, Martindale, Southern Cross, Stradbroke II; Motor Vessels Albur, Allura, Apache, Beaver, Bonito, Boonooroo, Celeste, Dalmar, Destiny, Jane, Lil John, Latona, Lauriana, Maringa, Martindale, Merrywing, Oneone, Steady Hour, Sea Mist, Yarroma, and others.

The armed yachts were taken up from civillian use in the early months of World War II to be employed as examination ships, pilot boats and river and coast protection patrols. As might be expected, they varied widely in size and configuration. Southern Cross was a diesel-engined 112-foot, 298 ton vessel built in 1933 and initially armed only with small arms. The 150-ton Laurabada served in New guinea waters armed with six machine guns; early in 1942 she evacuated civillians from the area and later carried stores and undertook the perpetual survey duties which most small Australian craft eventually became involved in.

Martindale reflected the wealthy civillian origins of this type of vessel; her first CO was an English DSM-winner of the Great War who had his crew wear sand-shoes to avoid scuffing the woodwork.
The Naval Auxilliary Patrol (NAP) had equally wealthy origins. In 1937 a number of private large-boat owners formed the Volunteer Coastal Patrol (VCP), a sort of maritime militia. The idea spread, and the VCP received official recognition as the NAP in June 1941. It eventually reached a peak of over two hundred boats. The vessels of this organisation expanded the RAN's capacity to patrol rivers, estuaries and harbour approaches - Flying Foam served as an official examination vessel at Darwin in October 1939. Their privileged origins did not keep them out of action. Lauriana was the first vessel to sight a submarine on the surface during the Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour (31st May 1942), and Yarroma is credited with the final depth charge attack.

Royal Australian Navy in World War II - Auxilliaries fighting ships

 

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The armed yacht HMCS Raccoon

 

Wayne’s yacht was WWII minesweeper
Friday, August 1, 2008 - DAVID C. HENLEY Publisher Emeritus
John Wayne was a passionate lover of the sea, and today, 29 years after his death at the age of 72, his famed yacht the Wild Goose is still plying the Pacific, a living reminder of the screen actor whose motion picture career began in 1926 when he appeared as a Yale football hero in the film “Brown of Harvard.”
The 136-foot, 340-ton Wild Goose is more than just a yacht. It boasts a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy as well.
Built by the Ballard Marine Corp. of Seattle in 1942 to serve as a USN minesweeper, the wooden-hulled vessel was one of 561 of the YMS class constructed in 35 shipyards for use during WWII. More than 150 of them were sold to Great Britain and other allied navies.
The minesweeper that was to become Wayne’s yacht was numbered YMS-328, the YMS designating it was a Yard Minesweeper. Crewed by four officers and 29 enlisted personnel, YMS -328 was assigned to the Alaskan Sea Frontier Command in the Aleutians during World War II, sweeping enemy mine fields at Attu and the U.S. mine fields at Kiska and patrolling out of Adak.
Armed with a 50 mm cannon and two 20 mm guns, YMS-328 was ordered in 1945 to sail for the Western Pacific and participate in the invasion of Japan. That order was rescinded when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki which brought about the end of WW II.
During WW 11, 20 of the YMS minesweepers were sunk by enemy fire in the Pacific and Atlantic campaigns and 12 were present at Japan’s surrender at Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2, 1945.
Many of the minesweepers saw service during the Korean War (by then they were given names) and were used by Navy reservists into the 1960s. The last YMS was decommissioned in late 1969.
Transferred to the Navy base at Bremerton, Wash., following her duty in the Aleutians, YMS-328 was decommissioned and sold to Canadian than yachtsman Harold A. Jones in 1948.
Subsequently sold twice more to wealthy Americans, it was purchased by Wayne in 1965 for $116,000. He completely refurbished the ship, adding a custom interior featuring dark wood paneled walls, a master stateroom, quarters for children and guests, a wet bar and a poker table.
Wayne also raised the overhead in most of the interior by six to eight inches to accommodate his 6-foot, 4 inch frame.
Wayne hired a full-time crew of four, homeported the Wild Goose outside his home in Newport Beach in Orange County, and took countless trips on the vessel to Mexico, Oregon, Washington State and Canada.
Entertaining passengers such as Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin and Pres. Richard Nixon during these voyages, Wayne was “in his prime as the owner of one of the world’s most famous private yachts,” its former captain, Bert Minshall, told me as we toured the boat several years ago.
Two months before his death in 1979, Wayne sold the Wild Goose for $750,000 to Los Angeles attorney Lynn Hutchins, and today the ship is owned by Hornblower Cruises, which operates it and several other former yachts out of its cruise terminals in Orange County, San Diego and Los Angeles.
Last week, my son, Dave, and I went out on Newport Bay in Newport Beach where we caught up with the Wild Goose when she was carrying a group of sightseers on a tour of the harbor.
The photo accompanying my column was taken by Dave just after the Wild Goose passed by Wayne’s former Newport home, which today is occupied by the owner of the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.
Shawn Ware, captain of the Wild Goose, told us the ship’s original twin-diesel engines are still is good shape and the Wild Goose is drydocked once a year for maintenance, hull cleaning and painting.
Costs for individuals taking two-hour Wild Goose cruises begin at $28, excluding food and beverages, and $4,600 for groups to charter the entire ship. The yacht can accommodate 150 guests.
“The Wild Goose may be 66 years old, but she’s in excellent condition, running well and has many good years ahead of her,” said Capt. Ware as he maneuvered the historic vessel into port.

John Waynes Yacht was WWII Minesweeper | World War II History