Q-ship II. [Conclusion]

This is coolbert:

The U.S. Navy during World War Two employed one Q-ship in the Pacific theatre.

This was the USS Anacapa.

"She [Anacapa] was acquired by the Navy and converted for naval service as a Q-ship and placed in commission as Anacapa (AG-49) on 31 August 1942, Lt. Comdr. A.M. Wright in command. Anacapa was converted as project 'Love William' under which she would appear to be a merchant vessel while actually carrying concealed weapons to attack enemy submarines ."

"The ship was manned by Navy personnel, but all members of the crew carried merchant marine papers and wore clothing typical of merchant seamen. Anacapa cruised off the west coast of the US acting as a decoy to attract enemy submarine attack"

[dress shockingly irregular? Well, it was supposed to be!!]

The USS Anacapa and crew performed their mission in a dutiful manner, but NEVER DID ENGAGE ANY JAPANESE SUBMARINES.

Did engage two American submarines in error, American subs operating in an area where they were not supposed to be. THOSE SUBS, AMERICAN, FORTUNATELY, WERE NOT SUNK!!

[what does that say about the combat effectiveness of a Q-ship??]

Something else too. Those American sailors, dressed as they were, manning a Q-ship that operated under the guise of a merchant vessel, weaponry concealed, not "carried" in an open manner, if captured by the enemy, were liable to be shot, executed, for operating in a false manner, in violation of the rules of war.

This did not occur, but the potentiality was there.

coolbert.