Silverbell AN-51

Silverbell
(AN-51: dp. 1,275, 1. 194'6", b. 37', dr. 13'6", s. 12.1
k.; cpl. 56; a. 1 3", cl. Ailanthus)

Silverbell (AN-51) was laid down on 7 November 1942 as YN-70 by Pollock Stockton Shipbuilding Co., Stockton, Calif; launched on 19 June 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Henry Ohm, redesignated as AN-51 on 20 January 1944, and commissioned on 16 February 1944, Lt. Mark C. Butler, Jr., USNR, in command.

Silverbell sailed from San Francisco on 30 March to conduct shakedown training in the San Diego area and returned on 1 April. The next day, she stood out of San Francisco en route to Manus Island, Admiralty Islands. She operated between there and Biak (N.E.I.) until mid-September. On the 24th, the net layer sailed for Leyte Gulf to support the landings there. She operated between Leyte, Manila, and Subic Bay until 17 November 1945 when she was ordered to return to San Pedro, Calif, via Pearl Harbor and San Francisco, for disposal.

Silverbell arrived in San Pedro on 9 January 1946 and remained there until 3 July when she sailed for China via Pearl Harbor, Guam, and Subic Bay, P.I. The net layer remained in the Philippine Islands from 14 September to 22 December when she proceeded to Shanghai, arriving on 29 December 1946. On 10 January 1947, Silverbell was transferred to the Chinese Maritime Customs for use as a buoy and lighthouse tender. She was struck from the Navy list on 28 January 1947.

Silverbell received one battle star for World War II service.