The USS Onyx (PYc-5) was a coastal patrol yacht utilized by the United States Navy during World War II. Originally built in 1924 by the Consolidated Shipbuilding Corporation in Morris Heights, New York, the vessel initially bore the names Janey III, Rene, and Pegasus before being acquired by the Navy. The Navy purchased her on December 3, 1940, from Clifford C. Hemphill of New York City, and she was subsequently converted for naval service. She was officially classified as a coastal yacht on December 13, 1940, and commissioned as USS Onyx on February 27, 1941. Following her commissioning, the Onyx departed New York for Norfolk, arriving on March 22, 1941, before heading to New Orleans to report for duty to the 8th Naval District. Throughout her service, she operated primarily as a coastal patrol vessel around the Gulf of Mexico, providing patrol and support services to the command. Her duties included patrolling the Gulf area until January 1942, when she returned to New York, arriving at the end of January. In March 1942, she was reassigned to the 8th Naval District in New Orleans, where she continued her patrol duties. Her service was ongoing until February 1944, when she was involved in a collision that caused extensive damage, rendering her beyond economic repair. Consequently, she was removed from active service, with her ordnance removed, and placed out of commission on May 15, 1944, though she retained her name and designation. She was designated as a target vessel on May 31, 1944, and made available for disposal later that year. Although considered for conversion into a fuel barge in November 1944, this plan was never realized. The USS Onyx was officially placed out of service on February 1, 1945, and returned to the War Shipping Administration the following day. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on February 5, 1945. The USS Onyx's service highlights her role as a coastal patrol vessel during wartime, contributing to naval defense efforts along the Gulf Coast. Her relatively small size and conversion from a private yacht exemplify the Navy’s practice of repurposing civilian vessels for wartime needs.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.