USS Hingham (PF-30), a Tacoma-class frigate, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Hingham, Massachusetts. Hingham, originally designated PG-138, was launched under Maritime Commission contract by Walter Butler Shipbuilding Company in Superior, Wisconsin, on 27 August 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Katherine F. Harrington; and commissioned on 3 November 1944 after outfitting at Plaquemine, Louisiana. Her first commanding officer was Lieutenant Commander W. K. Earle, USCG.

History
United States
NameUSS Hingham
NamesakeHingham, Massachusetts
Launched27 August 1943
Sponsored byMrs. Katherine F. Harrington
Commissioned3 November 1944
Decommissioned5 June 1946
FateSold 15 August 1947 and scrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeTacoma-class frigate
Displacement1,264 tons
Length303 ft 11 in (92.63 m)
Beam  37 ft 6 in (11.43 m)
Draft  13 ft 8 in (4.17 m)
Propulsion
Speed20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement190
Armament
  • 3 × 3 in/50 AA guns (3×1)
  • 4 × 40 mm guns (2×2)
  • 9 × 20 mm guns (9×1);
  • 1 × Hedgehog projector
  • 8 × Y-gun depth charge projectors
  • 2 × depth charge racks

Following shakedown training out of Bermuda, Hingham finished conversion to a weather ship at Boston, Massachusetts, and after escorting a merchant ship from NS Argentia, Newfoundland, to Boston reported on 3 January 1945 to the North Atlantic Weather Patrol. The ship then took up the arduous duties of weather patrol in the North Atlantic during winter, performing the task of reporting so vital to convoying and warship movements alike. She remained on station after the close of World War II, returning to Boston on 4 May 1946.

Hingham then sailed to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was decommissioned on 5 June 1946. The frigate was sold on 15 August 1947 to Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company of Chester, Pennsylvania, and scrapped.

References

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  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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