USS High Point (PCH-1)

USS "High Point" (PCH-1) was a sclass|High Point|patrol craft of the United States Navy, and was launched August 17, 1962 by J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation in Tacoma, Washington. Built in conjunction with Boeing in Seattle, Washington she was placed in service August 15 1963 with Lieutenant H. G. Billerbeck in charge. "High Point" was named after High Point, North Carolina.

"High Point " was the first of a series of hydrofoil craft designed to evaluate the performance of this kind of propulsion in the US Navy of the era. She has three submerged foils containing propulsion nacelles and propellers, and is also capable of riding on her hull like a more conventional ship. On her foils, "High Point "is capable of very high-speed operation and was evaluated for mobility and flexibility as an antisubmarine force. The craft carried out tests in Puget Sound during 1967-1968.

"High Point" was decommissioned in March 1975 from the US Navy and transferred to the United States Coast Guard on April 4, 1975 and commissioned as USCGC "High Point" (WMEH-1). She was again decommissioned May 5, 1975 and returned to US Navy custody. "High Point" was struck from the Naval Vessel Register sometime in 1980. In 2002 she was purchased by a private individual intent on restoring the craft.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h6/high_point.htm
*NVR|http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/PCH1.htm

External links

* [http://rpstander.tripod.com/ Website of current owner]