The PC-461-class submarine chasers were a class of 343 submarine chasers constructed mainly for the US Navy and built from 1941–1944. The PC-461s were based primarily on two experimental submarine chasers, PC-451 and PC-452. While PC-461 began the series, the first of the class to enter service was PC-471. As part of the Lend-Lease program, 46 ships of this class were transferred to allies of the United States. Fifty-nine PC-461s were converted to other types of patrol vessels. Eight vessels of this class were lost, and one vessel was lost after conversion to a. Only one of the class, USS PC-566 commanded by Lieutenant Commander Herbert G. Claudius, actually sank a submarine,, during World War II; however, the website 'Patrol Craft Sailors Association' cites PC-461-class ships sinking or assisting sinking up to 6 German and Japanese subs. PC-461 submarine chasers were used in the Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mediterranean. Numerous PC-461 class vessels were used to aid in amphibious assaults, including the Normandy invasion. One member of this class,, was one of only two ships in the US Navy during World WarII that had a mostly African-American crew.
As part of the Lend-Lease program enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a total of 46 PC-461s were lent to allies of the United States. Thirty-two were sent to France, 10+ to Venezuela, 8 to Brazil, 1 to Uruguay, 1 to Norway, 1 to the Netherlands, and 1 to Greece.
Post-WWII importance
Following the end of World War II, many PC-461-class ships were placed into reserve squadrons or brought out of active service. Many more however were furnished to American allies around the world, most notably the Republic of Korea. The first vessel to join the new ROK Navy was former, transferred to the Republic of Korea Navy and renamed . The vessel played a major part in the Battle of Korea Strait, the small naval battle fought on the first day of the Korean War in June 1950. Six transferred to the Portuguese Navy in 1949 under the MDAP PC-812 as NRP Maio, PC-811 as NRP Madeira, PC-1257 as NRP Santiago, PC-809 as NRP Sal, PC-1256 as NRP São Tomé and PC-1259 as NRP São Vicente.
Conversions
Twenty-four PC-461s were converted to patrol gunboats, motor and 35 were converted into amphibious control craft.
