In May, 1919, the U.S. submarine chasers that had served on the barrage lines were engaging in various post-war duties.

 

In the immediate aftermath, some that had served from the base at Corfu were sent to ports along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, to assist with the takeover of Austrian war ships including Radetsky and Zrinyi (see the photo of Zrinyi listed below, for example).

 

Later, many would serve in the minesweeping detachment, assisting in the removal of the North Sea mine fields. It was essential that shipping routes be opened before winter, so the work was not only important, but had to be completed in a relatively short timeframe. Minesweepers ran in pairs along a row of mines, cutting the mine tethers with a serrated sweep cable stretched between them. The goal was to detonate the mines, but also to cut the tethers, so that any that didn't detonate would come to the surface. The role of the subchasers was to run behind the minesweepers, and shoot and sink any mines that floated to the surface without detonating.

 

Meanwhile, a dozen chasers had been sent to Inverness, to prepare for a trip to the White Sea, to assist with the evacuation of American troops in northern Russia. There was a delay while they waited for a tanker and larger ships for the expedition, but eventually a unit of three submarine chasers would set out to cross the Arctic Circle, fitted as miniature gun boats.

 

--Todd Woofenden, editor

 

Added to the page about SC 130's post-war duties at Spalato is a "big-picture" view of a stage set up on H.M.S. Zrinyi, Port of Spalato, January, 1919, courtesy of David Cilha, whose grandfather served on one of the chasers that sailed to Spalato.

 

Also added is a post-war crew list from SC 154.