Seaplane tenders were ships equipped to refuel, rearm, and repair seaplanes and flying boats. They could be stationed at any sizeable body of protected water where seaplanes could land and take off. They were particularly useful early in the war, when bases for conventional reconnaissance aircraft were few and far between.
The United
States Navy classified fast seaplane tenders
(converted destroyers) and small seaplane tenders
separately from generic seaplane tenders.
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia (c) 2006-2007 by Kent G. Budge. Index