Content of: A Public Post by Kronos
The USS SC-1068 and future Air Snipe || Kudos365 | HISTORICAL SERIES
The Beginning
On April 13, 1943, the United States Navy commissioned USS SC-1068, a member of the SC-497 class, of 148 wooden-hulled submarine chasers, built to strengthen America's coastal defense and convoy escort capabilities during World War II. Although she would later become known as USCGC Air Snipe, her military career began as a Navy anti-submarine vessel designed to protect Allied shipping from the growing threat of German and Japanese submarines.
Background
By 1943, the Battle of the Atlantic and expanding operations in the Pacific had demonstrated the need for large numbers of small, agile escort vessels. While destroyers were indispensable, they were expensive to build and increasingly committed to fleet operations. The Navy therefore commissioned hundreds of SC-497-class submarine chasers to patrol coastal waters, escort convoys, conduct anti-submarine operations, perform search-and-rescue missions, and support amphibious landings.
SC-1068 was constructed by the Mathis Yacht Building Company in Camden, New Jersey. She was originally laid down as PC-1068 on December 10, 1942, launched on March 26, 1943, and redesignated SC-1068 before her commissioning on April 13, 1943.
Design and Capabilities
SC-1068 measured approximately 110 feet 10 inches (33.8 m) in length with a beam of 17 feet and displaced about 95 tons. Powered by two General Motors diesel engines producing a combined 3,080 horsepower, she could reach speeds of approximately 21 knots.
Her armament reflected her anti-submarine mission and included:
- One 40 mm gun
- Twin .50-caliber machine guns
- Depth-charge projectors ("K-Guns")
- Depth charges
- Mousetrap anti-submarine rocket launchers.
With a crew of approximately 28 officers and enlisted personnel, SC-1068 was capable of extended patrols while remaining highly maneuverable in coastal waters.
Wartime Service
After commissioning, SC-1068 underwent shakedown training before deploying through the Panama Canal to the Aleutian Islands. She participated in patrol and escort operations supporting the recapture and defense of the Aleutian chain, including waters around Attu and Kiska.
Later transferred to the Central Pacific, SC-1068 supported Allied operations during the invasions of Kwajalein and Majuro in early 1944. These operations were critical steps in the island-hopping campaign that gradually brought Allied forces closer to Japan.
The vessel also operated in waters surrounding Saipan, Guam, and Eniwetok, escorting shipping, conducting anti-submarine patrols, and providing security for amphibious forces. Her wartime service earned one battle star, recognizing her participation in combat operations.
Becoming Air Snipe
With World War II drawing to a close, many Navy submarine chasers were no longer required for front-line combat. On February 28, 1946, SC-1068 was transferred to the United States Coast Guard, where she was commissioned the same day as USCGC Air Snipe (WAVR-465).
The designation WAVR identified her new role as a wooden-hull aviation rescue vessel, supporting aircraft operating over coastal waters. During this period, the Coast Guard adopted a naming convention using bird names prefixed with "Air," resulting in names such as Air Snipe, Air Sparrow, Air Starling, and many others.
Civilian Career
Following two years of Coast Guard service, Air Snipe was sold into private ownership in 1948. Over subsequent decades she served as a commercial tugboat in Alaska, passing through several owners while retaining much of her original wartime construction.
Unlike nearly all of her sister ships, Air Snipe survived long after World War II. She was later restored as a privately owned historic vessel, becoming one of the very few remaining examples of the hundreds of SC-497-class submarine chasers constructed during the war. The Air Snipe is now one of the last surviving WWII SC-497 class submarine chasers—out of 438 built, fewer than five remain afloat today.
Historical Significance
The commissioning of SC-1068 represents more than the beginning of a single ship's career. It illustrates the vital contribution made by small combat vessels during World War II. While battleships, aircraft carriers, and destroyers often dominate naval history, hundreds of submarine chasers quietly protected convoys, hunted enemy submarines, escorted invasion fleets, and rescued survivors under dangerous conditions.
Air Snipe's subsequent service in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, followed by decades of civilian use, demonstrates the remarkable adaptability and durability of these vessels. As one of the few surviving SC-497-class submarine chasers, she provides a rare and tangible connection to the thousands of sailors who served aboard the small but essential ships that helped secure Allied victory during World War II.
Later sold to civilian owners, the Air Snipe became one of the first vessels to provide barge service between Seattle and Southeast Alaska. For over 50 years, she was lovingly maintained by Kent Halvorsen and became a fixture in Ketchikan, AK. Following Kent’s passing in 2023, the Air Snipe is now operated by a nonprofit; the Air Snipe Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Washington state, operated by Matt Levy and Kelly Thynes. It is dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Air Snipe,and has been relocated to Seattle allowing this rare warship to continue to inspire future generations.
History Series © 2026–Present Kudos365. All Rights Reserved.
Photo taken on July 31, 2016 - Lake Washington, WA - Kudos365 Photo
