From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 
(1968) Vol. 3, p.423.


INCH

DE-146
Displacement:  1,200 t.
Length:  306’
Beam:  36’7”
Draft:  8’7”
Speed:  21 k.
Complement:  186
Armament:  3 3”; 2 40mm; 8 20mm; 3 21” torpedo tubes;
	2 depth charge tracks;
	8 depth charge projectors;
	1 hedge hog
Class:  EDSALL

	INCH (DE-146) was laid down 19 January 1943 by 
Consolidated Steel Corp., Orange, Tex.; launched 4 April 
1943; sponsored by Mrs. Philip L. Inch, daughter-in-law of 
Admiral Inch; and commissioned 8 September 1943, Lt. Comdr. 
C. W. Frey in command.

	Following shakedown off Bermuda, INCH began convoy 
escort operations from New York to Norfolk.  Early in 1945, 
she joined a special hunter-killer group in the Atlantic, 
built around escort carrier CROATAN (CVE-25).  The ships 
sailed 24 March for the convoy lanes to search for German 
U-boats.  During the months that followed, INCH took part in 
many attacks on submarines.  On the evening of 11 June, the 
ship, in company with sister ships FROST (DE-144) and HUSE 
(DE-145), made a contact and proceeded to attack.  After 
over 40 depth charges, the submarine surfaced, signaling 
SOS.  Suspecting a ruse, INCH and her companions opened fire 
and destroyed U-490.  The entire crew of 60 German sailors 
was rescued by the escorts.

	Soon after the attack on U-490, the escort vessels, 
operating as usual in concert with aircraft from CROATAN, 
detected another submarine.  They attacked 3 July and scored 
another kill, this time on U-154.  INCH remained on this 
vital duty, so important in stopping the German submarine 
menace, until reaching New York 14 May 1945.  She had had 
only brief in-port periods the preceding year, and after 
repairs, conducted her second shakedown out of Guantanamo 
Bay, Cuba.  With the war in the Atlantic won, INCH sailed to 
the Pacific, departing the Canal Zone 23 July.  She touched 
at San Diego and Pearl Harbor, and remained in Hawaiian 
waters for exercises designed to train her for the planned 
invasion of Japan.  Soon after her arrival 12 August, 
however, the capitulation was announced.

	After completing training and readiness exercises, INCH 
sailed 5 September for Norfolk, via the Panama Canal, and 
arrived 28 September 1945.  She decommissioned 17 May 1946, 
entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, and is now berthed at 
Norfolk.

	INCH received four battle stars for World War II 
service.

	[Stricken from the Navy Register on 1 October 1972, 
INCH was sold on 21 March 1974.

K. Jack Bauer and Stephen S. Roberts, “Register of Ships of 
the U. S. Navy, 1775-1990,” p.225.]


Transcribed by Michael Hansen
mhansen2@attbi.com