The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia

Argo Class, U.S. Coast Guard Cutters

Tonnage	337 tons fully loaded
Dimensions	165' by 25'3" by 7'8" 50.3m by 7.70m by 2.34m
Maximum speed	16 knots
Complement	44
Armament	1 3"/23 gun 2 depth charge tracks 1 "Y" depth charge thrower
Machinery	2-shaft Winton Model 158 6-cylinder diesels (1,340 bhp)
Bunkerage	547 tons
Range	2010 nautical miles (2800 km) at 14 knots 3450 nautical miles (4800 km) at 11 knots 7380 nautical miles (10,300 km) at 6 knots
Modifications	Armament was increased to 2 3"/50 guns, 2 20mm Oerlikon guns, 2 depth charge tracks, 2 depth charge throwers, and 2 Mousetrap by 1945. Sensors included SF radar and QCO sonar.

Also known as "B" class cutters or the Thetis class, these ships were originally built to help enforce Prohibition by tracking smuggler craft back to their mother ships. This required good seakeeping and long range. Prohibition ended soon after their construction, and they proved adaptable to the escort role during the Second World War. Their twin rudders gave them excellent maneuverability, and two U-boats were sunk by units of this class. They cost about $258,000 each.