From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol.V p 355

Portage

Cities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Portage (PCE--902), a submarine chaser escort, was laid down 29 January 1943 as PCE--902 by Willamette Iron and Steel Corp., Portland, Ore.; launched 28 August 1943; and commissioned 30 April 1945.

Her final fitting out at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard modified her for service as a weather patrol and plane guard vessel. After west coast shakedown she departed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 1 July 1945. Assigned operations in the Hawaiian Sea Frontier Zones, she provided weather station and plane guard ship services between Pearl Harbor and Midway.

With the end of hostilities, she continued to provide underway training services out of Pearl Harbor into 1949. PCE--902 reported to Commander, Atlantic Fleet 12 November 1949 arid arrived Philadelphia, Pa. 24 November. After upkeep and repairs she departed Philadelphia 7 May 1950 for Naval Reserve training duty in the Great Lakes.

PCE--902 was named Portage 15 February 1956. She has since served out of Chicago, Ill. as a 9th Naval District Naval Reserve training craft.