Editing Submarine chaser (section)

==Submarine chaser variants==
U.S. Navy [[submarine]] chasers were designed specifically to destroy [[German Empire|German]] submarines in [[World War I]], and [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] and [[Nazi Germany|German]] submarines in [[World War II]]. The small {{convert|110|ft|m|adj=on}} [[SC-1-class submarine chaser]]s of the design used in World War I carried the hull designator '''SC''' (for '''S'''ubmarine '''C'''haser).<ref>Gardiner, pp. 132–133</ref>  Their main weapon was the [[depth charge]]. They also carried [[machine gun]]s and [[anti-aircraft gun]]s. The similar-sized [[SC-497-class submarine chaser|SC-497-class]] was built for World War II. Also in World War II, larger {{convert|173|ft|m|adj=on}} [[PC-461-class submarine chaser]]s used the '''PC''' [[hull classification symbol]] (for '''P'''atrol, '''C'''oastal).<ref name="Gardiner and Chesneau">Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 71, 152-154</ref>

Class relationships:

* 438 {{sclass|SC-497|submarine chaser|2}} (98t, wooden hull)
* 343 {{sclass|PC-461|submarine chaser|2}} (450t, steel hull)
* 68 {{sclass|PCE-842|patrol craft|2}} (850t, steel hull)
** used in similar role as the submarine chasers
* 123 {{sclass|Admirable|minesweeper|2}}
** design basis for the ''PCE-842'' class
**equipped with substantial anti-submarine capabilities and used as escorts
*95 {{sclass|Auk|minesweeper|2}} (890t, steel hull)
**predecessor design to the ''Admirable'' class
*481 {{sclass|YMS-1|minesweeper|2}} (270t, wooden hull)
 

In early 1915, the [[British Admiralty]] selected the US [[Electric Launch Company]] (Elco) for the production of 50 [[Motor launch (naval)|motor launches]] for anti-submarine work, British industry being at maximum capacity. This order was eventually increased by a further 530. The whole order was completed by November 1916, and the vessels entered [[Royal Navy]] service. The vessels were {{convert|80|ft|m}} in length and capable of {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}. They were armed with a [[Ordnance QF 3-pounder Vickers|3-pounder gun]], towed [[paravane (weapon)|paravane]]s to attack submarines and, later, [[depth charge]]s.<ref>Gardiner, p. 101</ref> Additional motor launches of the [[Fairmile A motor launch|Fairmile A]], [[Fairmile B motor launch|Fairmile B]] and other classes were built for World War II.<ref name="Gardiner and Chesneau 2">Gardiner and Chesneau, p. 71</ref>

===War service===
The British sub chasers were operated around the coast in defence. However, they were uncomfortable, wet and not suited to British sea conditions.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}} Although used during the First World War, they were sold when the war ended.

Submarine chasers were used mostly by the [[United States Coast Guard]] in World War II for destroying German [[U-boat]]s that were stationed off the coast of the United States that were trying to sink merchant convoys as they departed American ports.  In the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theatre]], submarine chasers were used for [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landings]], courier and escort duty.<ref>[http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/15idx.htm Submarine Chaser Photo Archive] NavSource</ref><ref>[http://www.splinterfleet.org/ Splinter Fleet – The Wooden Subchasers of World War II<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="Gardiner and Chesneau" />

Eight British [[Fairmile B motor launch]]es were transferred from Canada to the US in World War II, and included the [[SC-1466-class submarine chaser|SC-1466 class]] of sub-chasers.<ref>[http://eaglespeak.blogspot.com/2006/09/sunday-ship-history-submarine-chasers.html "Sunday Ship History: Submarine Chasers"] EagleSpeak</ref><ref name="Gardiner and Chesneau 2" />

The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] had around 250 submarine chasers in World War II, principally about 200 of the [[No.1-class auxiliary submarine chaser]]s. Some of these survived to serve in the [[Japan Maritime Self Defense Force]] (JMSDF) after the war.<ref>Watts, pp. 279–288</ref>

During [[Project Hula]], the United States secretly transferred 32 U.S. Navy submarine chasers to the [[Soviet Union]] between 26 May and 2 September 1945, and some of these saw action in the [[Soviet Navy]] during [[Soviet–Japanese War (1945)|Soviet military operations against the Japanese]] between 9 August and 2 September 1945. The transfer of 24 more was canceled when transfers halted on 5 September 1945, three days after the [[Japanese surrender]]. Between 1954 and 1960 all 32 transferred submarine chasers were scrapped by the Soviet Union or destroyed off its coast by mutual agreement between the two countries.<ref>Russell, Richard A., ''Project Hula: Secret Soviet-American Cooperation in the War Against Japan'', Washington, D.C.: [[Naval Historical Center]], 1997, {{ISBN|0-945274-35-1}}, pp. 35, 37–38, 40.</ref>

===Post-war===
In the decade immediately after World War II, the [[Soviet Union]] built 227 [[Kronshtadt-class submarine chaser]]s, some of which remained in active service until the 1990s. Rapid developments in submarine technologies since World War II mean that submarine chasers are now obsolete, having been replaced by [[corvette]]s, [[frigate]]s, and [[destroyer]]s.

===Survivors===
The only remaining submarine chaser with intact World War II armament is the [[Royal Norwegian Navy]]'s [[HNoMS Hitra|HNoMS ''Hitra'']], which is a touring museum today. A World War II type submarine chaser built in 1953, originally ''PC1610'', is being restored in the Netherlands as ''Le Fougueux''.<ref>[http://www.fougueux.nl P641 ''Le Fougueux'']</ref>