Long Beach II PF-34

Long Beach II
(PF-34: dp. 1,430; 1. 303'11"; b. 37'6", dr. 13'8"; s.
20.3 k.; cpl. 214, a. 3 3", 4 40mm., cl. Tacoma T. S2 S2-AQ1; )

The second Long Beach (PF-34) was laid down 19 March 1943 as PG-142, for t]le Maritime Commission, by Consolidated Steel Corp., Wilmington, Calif Reclassifled PF-34 on 15 April 1943, she was launched 5 May 1943; sponsored by Mrs Walter Boyd; and acquired by the Navy and commissioned 8 September 1943, It. Comdr. T. R. Midtlying, USCG, in command.

Following shakedown oft California, Lono Beach departed San Diego 12 January 1944 for Cairns, Australia arriving 17 February. After towing two LCSs from Milne Bay to Cape Sudest, she sailed 16 March escorting Carter Hall (LSD 3) to the landings on Manus in the Admiralties, destined to be an essential base for aiding in the ultimate victory over Japan. Returning to Cape Sudest 18 March, Long Beach screened ships around New Guinea and on 19 April took part in the invasion of Aitape. She sailed for the Schoutens 6 August for patrol and shore bombardment duty during cleanup operations against Japanese holdouts in the Bial; area, returning to local operations off New Guinea 31 ,August.

On 5 November, Long Beach sailed for newly invaded Leyte guarding a resupply convoy of LSTs, arriving at Leyte Gulf 15 November and returning to New Guinea 21 November. She steered for home 15 December, calling in Panama and reaching Boston 25 January 1945. After overhaul, she left for Alaska 27 March, training enroute at Balboa, Canal Zone. She de~,missioned at Cold Bay, Alaska 12 July 1945 and was transferred to the Russian Navy. Returned to the United States at Yokosusu, Japan, she lay idle until loaned to Japan for service in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in November 1953 as Shii (PF-17). On 15 February 1957, the name Long Beach was canceled in order that the name could be reassigned to a powerful nuclear guided-missile cruiser that was then under construction. On 1 September. Shii was reclassifled PF-297. Struck from the U.S. Naval Vessel Register 1 December 1961, PF - 4 was transferred to Japan outright 28 August 1962. PF - 4 saw continuous service in the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force as Shfi until decommissioned and scrapped in 1967.