USS Ebony (AN-15)

USS "Ebony" (AN-15/YN-10) was an "Aloe"-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve the U.S. Navy during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets.

Built in California

"Ebony" (YN-10) was launched 3 June 1941 by General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California; sponsored by Mrs. Clara Valtey; placed in service 16 September 1941 for duty in the 12th Naval District; and commissioned 22 May 1942, Ensign S. Bernsen, USNR, in command. She was reclassified "AN-15", 20 January 1944.

World War II service

"Ebony" sailed from San Francisco, California, 24 May 1942 for the South Pacific Ocean. After a brief period in the Fiji Islands, she arrived at Auckland, New Zealand, 27 July, to serve as net gate tender. She sailed to Noumea in January 1943 to assist in towing a stranded vessel to safety and remained until May to salvage "Shaw" (DD-373).

"Ebony" continued her net tending in the South Pacific, basing primarily at Noumea and Espiritu Santo, until the end of the war.

Post-war decommissioning

She returned to San Pedro, California, 8 October 1945, and was placed out of commission in reserve at Astoria, Oregon, 23 March 1946

See also

* United States Navy
* World War II

References

*
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/18/18015.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-10 / AN-15 Ebony]