From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

A small European falcon.

(AMC-5: dp. 219; 1. 98'10"; b. 21'8", dr. 6'7"; s. 11 k.; cpl. 19; a. 2 .30 mg.)

The first Kestrel (AMC-5), formerly Chanco, was built 1938 by Salisbury Yacht Co., Salisbury, Md.; acquired by the Navy 1 October 1940 from the Chanco Corp. Gloucester, Va.; and placed in service 21 January 1941. She was assigned to the 5th Naval District and operated on inshore patrol duty out of Norfolk until 11 January 1944. Sailing to Boston, Kestrel performed similar duties in the 1st Naval District. She was reclassified IX-175 on 10 July 1944 and operated for the remainder of her service as an experimental vessel for Radiation Laboratory, M.I.T., Cambridge, Mass. Kestrel was placed out of service 29 October 1945 and delivered to the WSA for disposal on 5 August 1948.