Re: Columbia Navy Ships

[<RailNews@aol.com>]

Mike Yared, Paul Wolf and others;

Thanks for your effort in helping me identify a Columbian frigate that 
briefly shared a mooring with my ship in Sasebo in 1954. It turns out she was 
Capitan Tono. Here is what I learned:

The Capitan Tono began life as USS Bisbee PF-46, an American Coast Guard 
patrol craft built in Los Angeles by Consolidated Steel and commissioned 15 
February 1944. Following World War II operations at Biak Island, New Guinea, 
and the invasion of Leyte, the Bisbee was sent to Alaska where she was loaned 
to USSR in August 1945. The Russians returned her in late 1949 and 
recommissioned USS Bisbee by USN. She served in Korea from November 1950 
through February 1952 when she was given to Columbia under the Mutual Defense 
Assistance Program. 

I was aboard the USS Currier DE-700 in Sasebo 10 July 1954 when we were 
joined to starboard by Capitan Tono. She was well handled coming into the 
nest and her Columbian crew, unlike most other UN ships we encountered, 
demonstrated excellent seamanship standards. She was painted a light 
bluish-gray, similar to the Canadian Navy ships. The biggest surprise was the 
Capitan Tono's immaculate condition from stem to stern. 

The information is for a history being written about the USS Currier DE-700. 
Thanks again.

Richard Bale
Carlsbad, CA