USS Oyster Bay (AGP-6) Class

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USS Oyster Bay (AGP-6) in Puget Sound on 28 November 1943.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        OYSTER BAY (AGP-6)
Design:        Navy AVP-10
Displacement (tons):        1,760 light, 2,800 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        310.75'oa, 300.0' pp x 41.2'e x 13.5'lim.
Original Armament:        2-5"/38 4-40mmT 8-20mm (1943-44: all)
Later armaments:        --
Complement:        268 (1944)
Speed (kts):        18.2
Propulsion (HP):        6,400
Machinery:        Fairbanks Morse diesels, 2 screws

Construction:

AGP	Name	Ord.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
6	OYSTER BAY	6 Dec 40	Lake Washington, Houghton	17 Apr 42	7 Sep 42	17 Nov 43
7	MOBJACK	6 Dec 40	Lake Washington, Houghton	25 Feb 42	2 Aug 42	17 Oct 43
8	WACHAPREAGUE	14 Apr 42	Lake Washington, Houghton	1 Feb 43	10 Jul 43	17 May 44
9	WILLOUGHBY	14 Apr 42	Lake Washington, Houghton	15 Mar 43	21 Aug 43	18 Jun 44

Disposition:

AGP	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
6	OYSTER BAY	26 Mar 46	23 Oct 57	23 Oct 57	Trf.	--
7	MOBJACK	21 Aug 46	13 Nov 46	22 Aug 46	Trf.	--
8	WACHAPREAGUE	10 May 46	5 Jun 46	27 May 46	USCG	--
9	WILLOUGHBY	26 Jun 46	19 Jul 46	26 Jun 46	USCG	--

Class Notes:
FY 1941 (AGP 6-7), 1942 (AGP 8-9), all as AVPs. The idea of using as motor torpedo boat tenders ships similar to the BARNEGAT (AVP-10) class but with torpedo overhaul and stowage facilities was first suggested in July 1941 by a PT boat squadron commander based on his experience with the converted yacht NIAGARA (PG-52). Instead, two more yachts (PG-58 and PG-55) were converted, the three yachts eventually being classified AGP 1-3. On 16 Dec 42 the Bureau of Aeronautics recommended cancelling some BARNEGAT-class AVPs as being in excess of requirements. In lieu of cancellation, COMINCH asked VCNO on 13 Jan 43 to designate four for completion as "type flagships and tenders for Motor Torpedo Boat squadrons." Their support would give greater mobility to PT squadrons for operations in the South Pacific. COMINCH had been advised that BuShips had concluded that AVPs could fulfil almost all the requirements of MTB tenders with very little conversion. Notably, they had the armament and speed to support MTBs in advanced areas, they had the necessary storage, maintenance, and accommodation spaces, and they had a 10-ton crane that was capable of lifting the sterns of MTBs clear of the water. The first pair, AVP 26 and 27, was to be completed at the earliest possible date, completion of the other pair, AVP 56-57 would follow considerably later. The four ships were reclassified on 8 Mar 43. In April the Bureau of Ships reported that AVP-26 could be completed as an AVP before the working plans for her conversion to AGP would be available and recommended substituting AVP-28, which could be completed as an AGP at the same time anticipated for AVP-26. On 1 May 43 the designation AGP-6 was shifted from AVP-26 to AVP-28. AGP 8-9 and their sister AGC-18 were transferred to the Coast Guard in 1946 for weather patrol duty, leading the way for 15 AVP sisters that followed in 1948-49.

Ship Notes:

AGP	Name	Notes
6	OYSTER BAY	Ex AVP-28 1 May 43 (see AVP-26). Stk. 12 Apr 46, to MC 12 Aug 46. Offered for sale in March and June 1948, all bids rejected. From MC 3 Jan 49, reinstated 10 Feb 49, to AVP-28 3 Mar 49. In USN reserve 1949-57 (in service in reserve at Stockton 1952-56 and probably at Alameda 1949-51). Trf. to Italy as the special forces support tender PIETRO CAVEZZALE. Decom. 16 Oct 93, stricken 30 Apr 94, scrapped 29 Feb 96.
7	MOBJACK	Ex AVP-27 8 Mar 43. Trf. to Coast and Geodetic Survey, Dept. of Commerce, as PIONEER (OSS-31). Sold 4 May 66.
8	WACHAPREAGUE	Ex AVP-56 8 Mar 43. To USCG as McCULLOCH (WAVP-386). To South Vietnam 21 Jun 72 as NGO QUYEN. To Philippines Apr 76 as GREGORIO DE PILAR. Decom. Jun 85.
9	WILLOUGHBY	Ex AVP-57 8 Mar 43. To USCG as GRESHAM (WAVP-387). To NDRF 23 May 73, sold by Navy (DSSO) 25 Sep 73 with ex-AVP-29, to buyer 25 Jan 74.