The USS Pintail (AMc-17) was a coastal minesweeper constructed in 1937 under the name Three Star by the Kruse and Banks Shipbuilding Company in North Bend, Oregon. Originally built as a purse seiner, the vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy from the MacPhister Van Camp Canning Company of San Pedro, California, on November 19, 1940. Following its acquisition, the ship was renamed USS Pintail and designated AMc-17, indicating its role as a coastal minesweeper. The conversion process was carried out by the Western Boat Building Company in Tacoma, Washington, transforming the former fishing vessel into a minesweeper suitable for the Navy's needs. The USS Pintail was placed in active service on February 18, 1941, and operated primarily within the 13th Naval District along the U.S. West Coast. Its primary mission was to perform the dangerous task of removing naval mines from strategic minefields laid in coastal waters, thereby ensuring safe passage for military and merchant vessels during the early years of World War II. The vessel's service was relatively brief; the USS Pintail was placed out of service and struck from the Navy List on March 30, 1945. Following its decommissioning, the ship was returned to the Maritime Commission on July 23, 1945, and was subsequently sold at auction. The USS Pintail’s service highlights the Navy’s utilization of converted civilian vessels for mine-clearing operations during wartime, emphasizing its maritime significance in safeguarding coastal waters during a critical period. Overall, USS Pintail exemplifies the adaptability of civilian ships converted for military purposes and played a vital role in coastal defense and mine clearance during World War II.

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