Name USS G. H. McNeal Completed 1911 Commissioned 26 May 1917 Length 43 m | Namesake Previous name retained Acquired 26 May 1917 Decommissioned 17 May 1919 Builder W. C. Abbott | |
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USS G. H. McNeal (SP-312), also called George H. McNeal, was a United States Navy minesweeper in commission from 1917 to 1919.
G. H. McNeal was built as a wooden-hulled civilian steam tug in 1911 by W. C. Abbott at Milford, Delaware, and was employed as a "menhaden fisherman"-type commercial fishing vessel. The U.S. Navy purchased her from the McNeal-Edwards Company of Reedville, Virginia, on 26 May 1917 for World War I use and commissioned her the same day as USS G. H. McNeal (SP-312) with Boatswain Alvin Downey, USNRF, in command.
G. H. McNeal was fitted with minesweeping apparatus and enrolled in the Naval Coast Defense Reserve of the 5th Naval District. Based at Norfolk, Virginia, she served on patrol in the Virginia Capes area as a unit of Mine Sweeping Squadron 3 throughout her Navy career.
G. H. McNeal was decommissioned on 17 May 1919 and was sold to the McNeal Dodson Company of Norfolk on 17 July 1919.