USS Mastic (AN-46)

USS Mastic (AN-46/YN-65) was an Ailanthus-class net laying ship which served with the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific Ocean theatre of operations during World War II. Her career was without major incident, and she returned home safely after the war.

History
United States
Name: USS Mastic
Namesake: A small tree (Pistaria lenticus) of southern Europe
Ordered: as Ginkgo (YN-65)
Builder: Everett-Pacific Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Everett, Washington
Laid down: as Mastic (YN-65), 27 November 1943
Launched: 19 May 1944
Sponsored by: Mrs. F. A. Fenger
Commissioned: 4 July 1944, USS Mastic (AN-46)
Decommissioned: 1 March 1946 at Tiburon, California
Renamed: Mastic, 17 April 1943
Reclassified: AN-46, 20 January 1944
Stricken: date unknown
Fate: transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission 6 June 1947, and sold
General characteristics
Class and type: Ailanthus-class net laying ship
Tonnage: 1,100 tons
Displacement: 1,275 tons
Length: 194' 6"
Beam: 37'
Draft: 13' 6"
Propulsion: diesel electric, 2,500hp
Speed: 12 knots
Complement: 56 officers and enlisted
Armament: one single 3 in (76 mm) gun mount, three 20 mm gun mounts

Constructed in Everett, Washington

Mastic (AN 46), originally named Ginkgo (YN 65), was renamed Mastic 17 April 1943; laid down as YN-65 by Everett-Pacific Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Everett, Washington, 27 November 1943; reclassified AN-46 on 20 January 1944; launched 19 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. F. A. Fenger; and commissioned at Everett 4 July 1944, Lt. David Weinig in command.

World War II service

After shakedown along the U.S. West Coast, Mastic steamed via Pearl Harbor to the western Pacific for duty with Commander Minecraft, Pacific Fleet. Beginning late in the year she carried out net laying and tending duties at American bases in the Mariana Islands and the western Caroline Islands.

During the later months of fighting in the Pacific she operated primarily out of Ulithi, but in addition served at Guam, Saipan, and Peleliu.

Following the Japanese capitulation 15 August, she continued servicing harbor defense installations until 26 October when she sailed from Saipan for the west coast. Steaming via Midway Islands and Pearl Harbor, she reached San Francisco, California, 25 November.

Post-war decommissioning

Mastic decommissioned at Tiburon, California, 1 March 1946, and her name was struck from the Navy List 28 March. She was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission 6 June 1947 for simultaneous delivery to her purchaser, William Semar.

See also

References
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