USS San Pablo (AVP-30) Ship Overview and Operational Timeline

The USS San Pablo (AVP-30) was a US Navy seaplane tender that served from 1943 to 1946. It was launched on October 21, 1943, at the Consolidated Steel Corporation in Orange, Texas.

The USS San Pablo was 136 meters long and 23 meters wide, making it a significant vessel in the US Navy's fleet during World War II. It had a gross tonnage of 1,766 tons.

The ship's primary function was to provide support to seaplanes, including fueling, repairing, and storing aircraft. It was equipped with a hangar, a catapult, and an arresting gear to facilitate these operations.

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The Philippines Campaign was a pivotal moment in the history of USS San Pablo (AVP-30). San Pablo played a crucial role in supporting search missions in the Philippines.

On December 8, 1944, San Pablo received survivors of the destroyer USS Mahan, who had been picked up by one of San Pablo's PBMs after Mahan was hit by three Kamikaze suicide aircraft and sank in Ormoc Bay.

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San Pablo joined Convoy "Uncle plus 15" en route to Mindoro and came under severe attack by suicide planes for three consecutive days. Most of the kamikazes were beaten off by antiaircraft fire from the convoy screen or by combat air patrol fighters.

On 30 December 1944, an Aichi D3A "Val" dive bomber barely passed astern of San Pablo and crashed into motor torpedo boat tender USS Orestes, wounding four San Pablo men with shrapnel.

San Pablo continued to support search missions in the South China Sea and along the China coast through January and early February 1945, with Patrol Bombing Squadron 25 (VPB-25) and VP-33 aircraft conducting these missions.

On 13 February 1945, San Pablo was relieved by Tangier and returned to Leyte.

In February 1944, USS San Pablo returned to Nouméa for repairs, where she assisted in removing a propeller from destroyer-minelayer USS Aaron Ward using her seaplane winch.

She was back in action by 24 March 1944, conducting operations at Seeadler Harbor with planes of Patrol Squadron 33 and VP-52 planes, carrying out night bombing missions in the Caroline Islands and search flights by day.

By the end of March 1944, the pace had quickened so much that seaplane tender USS Tangier was brought in to help carry the load.

On 13 May 1944, San Pablo and Tangier moved to Hollandia, New Guinea, to patrol the approaches to Wakde Island prior to Allied landings there.

Relieved by seaplane tender USS Orca on 26 May 1944, San Pablo then refueled PT boats at Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, and transported personnel and cargo between Manus Island, Seeadler Harbor, Emirau, and Mios Woendi.

In August 1944, San Pablo commenced antisubmarine patrols with Patrol Squadron 11 planes at Mios Woendi, and later conducted antisubmarine operations off Morotai and Hollandia in October and November 1944.

The USS San Pablo's conversion to a hydrographics survey ship was a significant event in its history. It was recommissioned on September 17, 1948, at San Francisco, California.

The ship conducted shakedown training off San Diego from October 29 to November 15, 1948. This training was essential for the crew to familiarize themselves with the ship's new capabilities.

After completing shakedown training, the USS San Pablo was ordered to report to the Norfolk Naval Shipyard at Portsmouth, Virginia. It arrived on December 14, 1948.

At the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, the ship underwent fitting out, which was completed shortly after arrival.

The USS San Pablo (AVP-30) underwent a redesignation in 1944, becoming a seaplane tender. This change marked a significant shift in the ship's role.

The ship was previously designated as a patrol boat, but its new designation reflected its expanded responsibilities.

The USS San Pablo's decommissioning was a significant milestone in its history. It took place on May 29, 1969, marking the end of its active service.

San Pablo was first inactivated at Philadelphia from January 1 to May 29, 1969. This period of inactivation was a precursor to its eventual decommissioning.

After being decommissioned, San Pablo was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on June 1, 1969. This formal process marked its official retirement from naval service.

Following its decommissioning, San Pablo was loaned to the Ocean Sciences Center of the Atlantic in Savannah, Georgia. This temporary arrangement allowed the vessel to be used for educational or research purposes.

San Pablo's eventual fate was to be sold to a private owner, Mrs. Margo Zahardis of Vancouver, Washington, on September 14, 1971.

The USS San Pablo (AVP-30) was a United States Navy seaplane tender that served during World War II.

It was built by the Associated Shipbuilders in Seattle, Washington, and commissioned on January 12, 1942.

The San Pablo was 136 feet 2 inches long and had a beam of 35 feet 1 inch, making it a relatively small ship.

It was powered by a 3,000 horsepower engine that gave it a top speed of 18 knots.

The San Pablo played a crucial role in the Pacific Theater, supporting Allied forces with its seaplane operations.