From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. II p 38

Carnelian

A semiprecious stone.

Carnelian (PY-19) was built as the yacht Seventeen in 1930 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; purchased by the Navy 13 May 1941 ; and commissioned 7 June 1941, Lieutenant Commander G. L. Hoffman, USNR, in command.

Carnelian arrived at Jacksonville, Fla., 23 February 1942 for patrol duty in the Caribbean. Later based on New Orleans for duty escorting convoys to Galveston and Key West, Carnelian provided essential services to the Gulf Sea Frontier in its great task of guarding a wide area with minimal forces. From November 1942 through January 1944, the converted yacht screened convoys, composed primarily of tankers with precious cargoes of oil, between Trinidad and Recife, Brazil.

After overhaul, Carnelian joined the antisubmarine training group based at Norfolk, Va., with whom she served until 25 January 1945. Assigned then to the Potomac River Naval Command, she was based at the Mine Warfare Test Station, Solomons, Md., for mine test operations in Chesapeake Bay. Carnelian was decommissioned 4 January 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission 24 October 1946.