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US Navy Small Craft Training Center

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USS YMS-143 Minesweeper
USS Baretta (AN-41) Net layer

US Navy Small Craft Training Centers (SCTC) were United States Navy training bases used to train sailors in the operation of the many small wooden crafts used in World War II. These crafts were given the nickname Splinter Fleet. There was a shortage of steel and steel shipyards during World War II, so there was a need for a vast wooden fleet of crafts. The Small Craft Training Centers had classrooms and crafts for training. The bases had barrack housing and mess halls. To get the men and crafts out into the field quickly, at many of the bases men trained on new ships. The new ships were at the center for about 4 weeks as part of the vessel's sea trial.[1][2][3] Tugboats, Minesweepers, Net laying ships, Crash boats, PT boats and other crafts built near the center were taken to the Small Craft Training Centers for testing. Crafts built at Lynch Shipbuilding in San Diego, California were taken to the Small Craft Training Center at Terminal Island, San Pedro, California for their sea trial.[4][5] Lynch Shipbuilding built tugboats, and minesweepers. Some of the craft at the Terminal Island school were: USS Density (AM-218), USS Waxsaw (AN-91), and USS Climax (AM-161), USS Wateree (ATF-117), USS Quest (AM-281), USS Snowbell (AN-52). The US Navy also had Small Craft Training Centers in Miami, Florida, Santa Barbara, California, New Orleans, Louisiana and other sites.[6][7]

US Navy Small Craft Training Centers

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World War II Small Craft Training Centers:

Submarine chaser USS SC-26

Submarine Chaser Training Center

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Submarine Chaser Training Center (SCTC) was a US Navy School for training seamen in the use and care for Submarine chasers (PC & SC), used in World War II to hunt Nazi Germany naval submarines, U-boats. Submarine Chaser Training Center was founded in March 1942.[8] The Chaser Training Center was stationed at the old Port of Miami at Pier 2, near downtown on Biscayne Boulevard.[9][10] Most sub chasers had a crew of 3 officers and 24 enlisted men. Crews had 60 days of training at the center after completing 90 days of basic training. Swim test and Swim training was done at Miami Beach, Florida. Sub chasers were also used in the Pacific War in anti-submarine warfare . Due to the small crafts and large task, some gave the Submarine chasers the nickname Donald Duck Navy. The former Submarine Chaser Training Center is located near the current Museum Park. A few of the craft that were used for training and sea trails at the center were: USS PGM-3, USS PC-1137, USS PC-1264, and USS SC-1470[11]

Engineers at the Submarine Chaser Training School

Submarine Chaser Training School

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Submarine Chaser Training School (SCTS) was a US Navy School at Columbia University in City of New York. Training was for work on destroyers to hunt U-boats. The destroyer USS Andres was stationed at the Submarine Chaser Training School.[12][13]

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Main article: Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School

In June 1969 the Navy opened Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School that currently is headquartered at John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. The School has classes in: Patrol Craft Operations, Patrol Craft Propulsion Systems Overhaul, Patrol Craft Hull Maintenance, Outboard Motor Maintenance and Overhaul, Patrol Craft Weapons Maintenance, Instructor Development Course, and Rule of Law and Disciplined Military Operations.[14]

See also

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School.

References

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  1. ^ "Wooden Ships and Barges". shipbuildinghistory.com.
  2. ^ "Ghost Fleet of MallowsBay" (PDF).
  3. ^ Wood Boats
  4. ^ The Navy at San Pedro, Terminal Island, CaliforniaUS Navy
  5. ^ Naval Operating Base Terminal IslandUS Navy
  6. ^ "Rescue Tug (ATR) Photo Index". www.navsource.org.
  7. ^ "Lynch Shipbuilding".
  8. ^ The Submarine Chaser Training Center, Downtown Miami’s International Graduate School, Of Anti-Submarine Warfare During World War II, Charles W. Rice
  9. ^ Submarine Chaser Training CenterUS Navy
  10. ^ Submarine Chaser Training Centerbridgemanimages.com
  11. ^ The Splinter Fleetsplinterfleet.org
  12. ^ Submarine Chaser Training SchoolLoc.gov
  13. ^ Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
  14. ^ Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School website
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