Wreck of USS PGM-18

 Second World War 1939-1945, shipwreck, draw only border

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Laid down in September 1943 by the Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, CT and commissioned into US Navy service in September 1944, USS PGM-18 was a designed as a PC-461 Class Submarine Chaser but refitted for service as a Gunboat to counter the threat posed by Japanese Kamikaze aircraft being seen in the later stages of World War Two.

Joining the Pacific Fleet in February 1945, the PGM-18 steamed across the Pacific in convoy, eventually reaching Ulithi where she received her orders for duty at Okinawa. Joining with a group of minesweepers headed for Kerama Retto, the PGM-18 began screening the minesweepers as they cleared the harbors and approaches to Okinawa, often under heavy enemy fire. As she followed the Minesweeper USS YMS-103 into Buckner Bay, the PGM-18 was rocked by a tremendous explosion beneath her keel as she hit a Japanese Mine.

Lifted clear of the water by the force of the blast, the Gunboats keel was broken and her hull severely holed. As she settled back onto the surface, the ship suddenly rolled to Starboard and quickly sank bow-first at this location. 13 of her crew, mainly those stationed below decks, were unable to escape and went down with the ship on April 7th, 1945.

USS PGM-18 received one battle star for her World War Two Service.

www.navsource.org/archives/12/011255.htm