Abilene PF-58

Abilene

A city in the state of Kansas.

(PF-58 dp. 2,100; 1. 303'11"; b. 37' 6", dr. 13'8", s. 20.3 k. cpl. 176; a. 2 3", 4 40mm., 4 20mm., 2 det., 8 dep., cl. Tacoma, T. S2-S2-AQ1)

Bridgeport was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1465) on 6 May 1943 at Superior, Wis., by the Globe Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 21 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Thomas F. Rogers; acquired by the Navy on 31 May 1944; renamed Abilene (PF-58) on 28 June 1944, and commissioned at New Orleans, La., on 2x October 1944, Lt. Comdr. Chester 1. Steel, USCG, in command.

Following shakedown at Bermuda, Abilene steamed to Argentia, Newfoundland, where she joined the North AtlanticWeather Patrol. She operated on this station through May 1945, conducting weather observations and rendering navigational assistanee to airplanes.

After a brief period of upkeep at Boston, Mass., Abilene assumed air-sea rescue duties in the Atlantic in June 1945. As a member of Task Group 24.5 the patrol vessel eolleeted weather data while serving as a planeguard along the air routes between Europe and the United States.

Abilene was decommissioned at New Orleans on 21 August 1946. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 13 November 1946. The ship was sold to the government of the Netherlands on 5 May 1947.