Wreck of USS Portent (AM-106)

Italy / Lazio / Nettuno /
 Second World War 1939-1945, military, shipwreck, United States Navy, minehunter / minesweeper (ship)
USS Portent was an Auk Class Minesweeper laid down in November 1941 and commissioned into US Navy service in April 1943. Following a brief training period, the Portent and her crew joined an Allied Convoy at New York City and sailed for duty in the Mediterranean in May 1943.

Arriving at Casablanca in late May, the Portent engaged in minesweeping training duties and served as a convoy escort around the Mediterranean and between New York and Casablanca through November 1943. After seeing a convoy safely to Oran, Algeria the Portent received orders to join the Allied naval force preparing to mount the invasion of Anzio, codenamed Operation Shingle. Spending much of December 1943 and early January 1944 engaged in fleet and minesweeping training, the Portent stood out of Naples with the Allied invasion force on January 21st and made for Anzio.

The Portent and her crew commenced their minesweeping duties immediately upon their arrival off the landing beaches, and found much work to be done in the mine-infested waters. Working in tandem with other minesweepers, the Portent was making a second pass along the beachhead when she was rocked by a massive underwater explosion. Lifted clear out of the water by the blast, the Portent's keel cracked and the seams in her hull opened up, allowing massive amounts of seawater to enter the ship as she settled back onto the surface. Portent's Captain, Lt. Howard C. Plummer quickly realized that his ship was all but lost, and as she began to roll to Port and jackknife, he passed the order to abandon ship. Portent's crew aided the injured men from her engine room into life rafts before stepping over the side themselves, and within minutes the USS Portent had rolled over and sank at this location on January 22nd, 1944.

For her actions on the day of her loss, USS Portent received her first and only Battle Star for World War Two service.

www.navsource.org/archives/11/02106.htm
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Portent_(AM-106)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   41°24'0"N   12°43'59"E

Comments

  • My father, Russell (Ed) Taylor seved on the USS Portent from when she was commissioned until she sank off Anzio. He returned to the states, Norfolk, VA. on 30 days survivor leave where he met my mother, whom was also in the Navy, and was stationed there. Mom and Dad, and all those who are serving and have served, thank you for your service to our Great Country, to the eighteen crew of the Portent whom died on 22 JAN. 1944 RIP.
  • My dad Earl J Hutter also served on the Portent. He picked her up as a plank owner. He was also on her when she hit the mine during the Anzio sweeping operation. He was also returned to Norfolk, VA., Navy receiving station and later assigned to the amphibious base in Little Creek. Yes, my condolences to the (18) shipmates still on patrol and to the rest of the crew. It would be good to gather all the living survivors and have a small reunion.
  • Jim, I believe my father Edgar Aubin was on the Portent when she sunk in Anzio. If he was, he would have been one of the survivors. My dad died in 1972 and he never spoke of the sinking. Are you aware of a site on line that would list the survivors? My name is Conrad Aubin and my email address is caubin@metrocast.net. if you have any information please send it along. Thank You Conrad Aubin
  • My father rescued the flag blown off the Portent when it struck the mine at Anzio. There is a story that will be published in April 2017 about that incident. I will send an email to the address shown to see if you have any interest in further details. Mike Guthrie
  • My grandfather, Kelly Alexander, Sr. was serving on the Portent when it sunk. He was blown into the air by the explosion, and his back was injured when he landed back on the deck. It took a long time for him to be rescued from the water after the ship went down.
This article was last modified 13 years ago