[PG-50] USS Erie (READ DESCRIPTION) MP friendly variant

The USS Erie (PG-50) was a patrol gunboat of the United States Navy that served during World War II. She was laid down in December 1934 , launched in February 1936, and commissioned in July 1936. The Erie was armed with four 6" caliber guns, four 28 mm anti-aircraft guns. She was also equipped with basic sonar systems.

At the outbreak of World War II Erie was stationed Balboa, Panama, at the Pacific end of the Panama Canal. On 13 December 1941, Erie picked up 50 Japanese internees at Puntarenas, from the Costa Rican government. On 14 December, Erie boarded MV Sea Boy and removed a Japanese national on board, and ordered Sea Boy into Balboa the next day. On 16 December, Erie crewmen boarded MV Santa Margarita and ordered it to Puntarenas, and later the same day, towed a disabled motor boat, Orion, into the same port.[9]

In June 1942, Erie was transferred to Cristóbal, at the Atlantic end of the Canal, and joined the Battle of the Caribbean against German U-boats operating between Panama and Cuba.[4]

On 12 June 1942, Erie rescued the master and 45 other survivors of the British steamship Fort Good Hope at location 10°12′0″N 80°14′30″W after having been sunk by U-159 at location 10°19′0″N 80°16′0″W. After salvaging the lifeboat, Erie joined with a patrol plane in prosecuting a submarine contact, ultimately dropping six depth charges with no result. Erie then went on to transfer Fort Good Hope’s survivors and their lifeboats to submarine chaser PC-209.[9]

On 15 June 1942, Erie rescued the master and 22 survivors of the U.S. bulk carrier Lebore, off St. Andrews Island, after it had been sunk by U-172 the day before. After embarking the merchant sailors at 12°35′N 81°42′WCoordinates: 12°35′N 81°42′W Erie sank their lifeboat with gunfire to prevent a menace to navigation. The next day, along with the destroyer Tattnall, Erie rescued 8 Armed Guards from Lebore along with 49 survivors from the Dutch steamship Crijnssen which Lebore had rescued on 11 June, after their ship had been sunk by U-504 at 18°14′0″N 85°11′0″W.[9]