USS Hackberry
| History | |
|---|---|
.svg){kind=small}  USA | |
| Name | USS Hackberry |
| Namesake | A tree of the genus Celtis, distinguished by elm-like leaves and small fruit |
| Builder | American Shipbuilding Company, Cleveland, Ohio |
| Laid down | as Maple (YN-20) |
| Launched | 28 October 1941 |
| Commissioned | 21 December 1942 as USS Hackberry (YN-20) |
| Decommissioned | 12 November 1944 |
| Renamed | Hackberry, 16 October 1941 |
| Reclassified | AN-25, 20 January 1944 |
| Stricken | date unknown |
| Honours and awards | one battle star for World War II service |
| Fate | transferred to the French government under lend-lease 12 November 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Aloe-class net laying ship |
| Tonnage | 560 tons |
| Displacement | 850 tons |
| Length | 163' 2" |
| Beam | 30' 6" |
| Draft | 11' 8" |
| Propulsion | diesel |
| Speed | 12.5 knots |
| Complement | 48 officers and enlisted |
| Armament | one single 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount; two .30 cal. machine guns; two depth charge tracks |
USS Hackberry (AN-25/YN-20) was an Aloe-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve the U.S. Navy during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets.
Built at Cleveland, Ohio
Hackberry (YN-20), originally Maple but renamed before launching 28 October 1941 by American Shipbuilding Company. Cleveland, Ohio. She was commissioned 21 December 1942. Lt. C. B. Wegner in command.
World War II service
Following shakedown and training exercises out of Tompkinsville. Rhode Island, the net tender was assigned to North African waters, reporting 12 April 1943. She operated in Palermo harbor towing and acting as cable recovery and salvage vessel. During her stay in Palermo Hackberry installed boom defenses at Catania, Sicily, and operated briefly in the harbor at Naples, Italy.
As the pincers were applied to the Axis in Europe, Hackberry took part in the important landings in southern France. Arriving off the beaches 15 August, the ship helped transport garrison troops from the newly-won Alpha beach to Isle du Levant.
Hackberry remained in the area as Allied troops pushed forward from the beachhead, coming under fire from German shore batteries 22 August. With the capture of Toulon, the ship returned to her regular duties, clearing away the net and other harbor obstructions.
Redesignated (AN-25) 20 January 1944, Hackberry operated at Toulon and Marseille until being turned over to the French government under lend-lease 12 November 1944.
Hackberry was returned to U.S. custody from lend-lease 21 March 1949 and was sold the same day to France, where she served as Araignee.
References
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - YN-20 Maple / Hackberry - AN-25 Hackberry
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