The USS Palos (PG-16) was a shallow draft gunboat specifically designed for service on the Yangtze River in China. Constructed initially at Mare Island Navy Yard in 1912, the vessel was dismantled and shipped to Shanghai, where it was laid down by the Shanghai Dock and Engineering Co. on April 28, 1913. Launched on April 23, 1914, and sponsored by Mrs. Lee S. Border, the Palos was commissioned on June 24, 1914. Built for riverine operations over 900 miles inland, the Palos featured a design optimized for shallow waters, enabling it to navigate steep gorges and swift rapids. Its propulsion and structural features allowed it to reach Chongqing, 1,300 miles from the sea, making it the first U.S. warship to arrive at this inland city. The vessel's initial patrols began shortly after, and she remained a key part of the Yangtze River Patrol for most of her career. The Palos actively protected American interests, including escorting vessels, evacuating American citizens during periods of unrest, and maintaining a credible U.S. presence along the river. During her service, especially in the turbulent 1920s, the Palos operated extensively in central China, patrolling between Yichang and Chongqing, often providing armed escort for merchant ships and defending Americans during sieges and conflicts involving warlord armies. She also operated around Hankou and Jiujiang during the Nationalist Revolution. In 1928, she was reclassified as PR-1 and continued her patrols until being placed in reserve in June 1929, when new river gunboats joined the mission. Despite her reserve status, the Palos remained active, notably in 1930 when she protected foreign nationals from guerilla activity at Changsha, earning official thanks from Germany. Recommissioned fully on September 5, 1931, she played a vital role during the catastrophic Yangtze floods of 1931, aiding relief efforts. Her final station was Chongqing, where she served as the station ship until her decommissioning on May 21, 1937. Subsequently sold and scrapped, the USS Palos exemplified the U.S. Navy’s strategic riverine presence during a period of significant unrest and upheaval in China.

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