Wheeler Shipbuilding ~ Shipbuilding History

Wheeler Shipbuilding

Whitestone NY

The Wheeler Yacht Company was founded at the turn of the 19th century by Howard E. Wheeler, in Brooklyn NY. During WWI, like other yacht builders, the yard built sub chasers. When WWII came, the Brooklyn yard, which has its own table here, was dedicated first to minesweepers and then to an astonishing series of 230 patrol craft for the Coast Guard. The company built a second yard, which operated as Wheeler Shipbuilding Corp., at Whitestone NY, which also started out building minesweepers but went on to build tugs and coastal freighters. After the war, the yard returned to pleasure craft construction with production of its "Sunlounge" line, but closed in 1948.

See the main list of FS freighters here.

	O/N	Name	Customer	Type	LDT	LOA	Delivered	Notes
		YMS-42	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	25 Apr 1942	to the USSR 1945 as T-582, scrapped 1956
		YMS-43	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	11 May 1942	to France 1944 as Lotus (D-324), abandoned and sunk in Tahiti 1958
		YMS-44	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	25 May 1942	struck 1946
		YMS-45	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	5 Jun 1942	reclassified 1947 as Barbet (AMS-41, MSCO 41), struck 1960
		YMS-46	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	20 Jun 1942	struck 1947
		YMS-47	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	2 Jul 1942	struck 1945
		YMS-48	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	14 Jul 1942	damaged by gunfire at Corregidor and scuttled 1945
		YMS-49	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	24 Jul 1942	struck 1946
		YMS-50	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	3 Aug 1942	mined off Borneo and lost 1945
		YMS-51	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	12 Aug 1942	struck 1947
		YMS-52	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	21 Aug 1942	struck 1946
		YMS-53	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	31 Aug 1942	struck 1946, sold as Myrnalynn (ON 258885)
		BYMS-5	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	14 Sep 1942	to South Korea 1947 as Kil Chu, scrapped 1956
		BYMS-6	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	28 Sep 1942	to South Korea 1947 as Kong City, sunk 1950
		BYMS-7	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	8 Oct 1942	sold 1947
		BYMS-8	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	19 Oct 1942	to South Korea 1948 as Yong Kung, scrapped 1955
		BYMS-65	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	22 Jan 1943	to Greece 1946 as Karteria, struck 1973
		BYMS-66	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	8 Feb 1943	to Greece 1946 as Papalos, struck 1973
		BYMS-67	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	23 Feb 1943	to Greece 1946 as Salaminia, struck 1960
		BYMS-68	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	16 Mar 1943	to Greece 1946 as Lefkas, struck 1966
		BYMS-69	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	30 Mar 1943	to Egypt 1949 as Naharia, discarded 1970
		BYMS-70	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	15 Apr 1943	scrapped 1948
		BYMS-71	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	4 May 1943	to Greece 1947 as Kafalinnia, returned 1947 and discarded
		BYMS-72	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	13 May 1943	captured off Kalymnos 1943, German GD-07, probably sunk 1944
		BYMS-73	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	31 May 1943	to Italy 1957 as Begonia, Oltramonti, deleted 1980s
		BYMS-74	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	8 Jun 1943	to Greece 1944 as Kassos, sunk off Piraeus 1944
		BYMS-75	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	18 Jun 1943	to Egypt 1949 as Kaisaria, discarded 1970
		BYMS-76	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	29 Jun 1943	to Greece 1946 as Prokyon, struck 1968
		BYMS-77	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	6 Jul 1943	mined in the Gulf of Corinth and lost 1944
		BYMS-78	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	14 Jul 1943	to Greece 1948 as Vegas, returned 1948
		BYMS-79	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	24 Jul 1943	sold 1948
		BYMS-80	Royal Navy	minesweeper	278	136	3 Aug 1943	sold 1947
		YMS-363	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	12 Aug 1943	struck 1946
		YMS-364	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	21 Aug 1943	struck 1946
		YMS-365	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	28 Aug 1943	mined off Borneo and lost 1945
		YMS-366	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	7 Sep 1943	struck 1946
		YMS-367	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	20 Sep 1943	to China 1948, struck 1976
		YMS-368	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	27 Sep 1943	struck 1946
		YMS-369	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	9 Oct 1943	later Heron (AMS-18) 1947, to Japan 1955 as Nuwajima (MCS-657), sunk as target 1967
		YMS-370	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	19 Oct 1943	struck 1946
		one of above	US Navy	minesweeper	278	136	1943	later Robert H, Nauty Queen
		PCS-1376	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	9 Jul 1943	later Winder 1956, scrapped 1958
		PCS-1377	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	19 Jan 1944
		PCS-1378	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	9 Feb 1944	later Provincetown 1956, scrapped 1958
		PCS-1379	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	1 Mar 1944
		PCS-1380	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	22 Mar 1944	later Rushville 1956, scrapped 1958
		PCS-1381	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	12 Apr 1944
	259604	PCS-1382	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	1 May 1944	later Tuna Shark 1956, sold as Tuna Shark, Pacific Trawler
		PCS-1383	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	7 Aug 1944	later Attica 1956, sold as Cape Fear
		PCS-1384	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	8 Sep 1944	later Eufala 1956
		PCS-1385	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	5 Oct 1944	later Hollidaysburg 1956, struck 1970
		PCS-1386	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	4 Nov 1944	later Hampton 1956, struck 1959
		PCS-1387	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	27 Nov 1944	later Beaufort 1956, sold 1972
	259946	PCS-1388	US Navy	subchaser	278	136	11 Dec 1944	later Littlehales (AGS-7) 1945, sold 1950 as John-O
		one of above	US Navy		278	136	1944	later White Plume, Nordic Lady
		ATR-1	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Nov 1943	disposed-of 1946
		ATR-2	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Dec 1943	to War Dept. 1946
		ATR-3	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Jan 1944	to Cuba 1946 as 20 de Mayo, struck 1960
		ATR-4	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Feb 1944	to Canada 1946 as ATR 4, Louise Simard, restaurant Le Bateau Ivre, in Ile-aux-Grues PQ since 1968
		ATR-5	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Feb 1944	to Canada 1946 as Algerine, Arctic Bay, Batalla de Mal Tiempo, scrapped 1987
		ATR-6	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Mar 1944	to the Philippines 1946 as Edward R. Grimm, Wallace R. Gray, Takapuna
		ATR-29	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Apr 1944	disposed-of 1946
		ATR-30	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	May 1944	to Panama 1946 as El Greco
		ATR-60	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	31 May 1944	disposed-of 1946 as Storebror, Lenaship II, deleted 1962
	255219	ATR-61	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	24 Jun 1944	disposed-of 1946 as Alfred M. Carlson
		ATR-62	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	July 1944	disposed-of 1946 as Western Ace
		ATR-63	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Aug 1944	disposed-of 1946
		ATR-64	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Aug 1944	sold 1950 as Logmac, Mogul, Island Monarch, Seaspan Chinook, La Lumiere, sank 1980
		ATR-65	US Navy	tugboat	850	165	Sep 1944	to Britain 1946 as Grenadier, deleted 1960s
67		FS-253	US Army	freighter	560	176	7 May 1944	USCG-manned, P. Aboitiz, Baybay
68		FS-254	US Army	freighter	560	176	23 May 1944	USCG-manned, to Korea as City of Yoju
69		FS-255	US Army	freighter	560	176	6 Jun 1944	USCG-manned, torpedoed and sunk off Mindanao 1945
70		FS-256	US Army	freighter	560	176	16 Jun 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1950 as AKL-22, struck 1961
71		FS-257	US Army	freighter	560	176	24 Jun 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1950 as USS Alhena (AKL-38), to Korea 1951, scrapped 1960
72		FS-258	US Army	freighter	560	176	4 Jul 1944	USCG-manned
73		FS-259	US Army	freighter	560	176	15 Jul 1944	USCG-manned, ex-PVT ROBERT T HENRY, to USN 1950 as T-AKL-21, struck 1959, in Panama Aug 1949, in USN reserve 1952-59, sold 1961, Star 60, Rio Chagres (reflagged Panama), finally Northumberland (converted to trawler), hit a gas pipeline, blew up and sank off Sabine, Tex., 3 Oct 1989.
74		FS-260	US Army	freighter	560	176	26 Jul 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as Don Mariano
75		FS-261	US Army	freighter	560	176	2 Aug 1944	USCG-manned, to China as Peony, Lucky Trader, Flying Bird, Chiat Min, Perada, Rahmat, scrapped 1978
76		FS-262	US Army	freighter	560	176	9 Aug 1944	USCG-manned, to China as Lotus
77		FS-263	US Army	freighter	560	176	16 Aug 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as Deal (AG-131/AKL-2), sold 1961 as Don Carlos, Laissez Faire, Princess Olga, Earl J. Conrad Jr.
78		FS-264	US Army	freighter	560	176	24 Aug 1944	USCG-manned
79		FS-265	US Army	freighter	560	176	1 Sep 1944	USCG-manned
80		FS-266	US Army	freighter	560	176	8 Sep 1933	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS Tingles (AG-144), AKL-13, sold 1969 as Ran Annim, scrapped 1982
81		FS-267	US Army	freighter	560	176	18 Sep 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS Elba (AG-132). later AKL-3, to DOI 1952
82		FS-268	US Army	freighter	560	176	22 Sep 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as Virginia VI, Elena, Don Jose I, scrapped 1986
83		FS-269	US Army	freighter	560	176	2 Oct 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as Cotabato-J
84		FS-270	US Army	freighter	560	176	6 Oct 1944	USCG-manned, retained in USA
85		FS-271	US Army	freighter	560	176	13 Oct 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as General Mojica, Marcelino, scrapped 1988
86		FS-272	US Army	freighter	560	176	22 Oct 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as Don Jose I, Dona Maria, scrapped 1986
87		FS-273	US Army	freighter	560	176	6 Nov 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as General Roxas, General del Pilar, General de los Reyes, Sweet trip, Sweet Ride, scrapped 1984
88		FS-274	US Army	freighter	560	176	31 Oct 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS Errol (AG-133), AKL-4, to DOI 1951, to the Philippines as Baztan, Don Victoriano
89		FS-275	US Army	freighter	560	176	6 Nov 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS Estero (AG-134), AKL-5, struck 1960
90		FS-276	US Army	freighter	560	176	13 Nov 1944	USCG-manned, in Army storage in Japan Aug 1949. In USN reserve 1952-61. Sale list Jul 1961. Sold to Peter Pan Seafoods, Inc, of Seattle, to buyer 29 Jun 1962, Kuwaiti shrimp processing ship DASMAN 10, 1963.
91		FS-277	US Army	freighter	560	176	20 Nov 1944	USCG-manned
92		FS-278	US Army	freighter	560	176	25 Nov 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1950 as Range Recoverer (AG-161), AGM-2, YFRT-524, sold 1974, Reedville, reefed off DE 2020
93		FS-279	US Army	freighter	560	176	2 Dec 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as General Lukban
94		FS-280	US Army	freighter	560	176	9 Dec 1944	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as General Mascardo
95		FS-281	US Army	freighter	560	176	18 Dec 1944	USCG-manned, to Argentina as San Marino, decommissioned 1996
96		FS-282	US Army	freighter	560	176	27 Dec 1944	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS Jekyl (AG-135). later AKL-6, sold 1960 as Sea Princess II, Betty K IV, Hope 1
97		FS-283	US Army	freighter	560	176	2 Jan 1945	USCG-manned, to USN 1951 as USS Almaack (AKL-39), to Korea 1951, returned 1960, scrapped 1969
98		FS-284	US Army	freighter	560	176	12 Jan 1945	USCG-manned, to the Philippines as Taype
99		FS-285	US Army	freighter	560	176	22 Jan 1945	USCG-manned, to Korea as City of Chungju
100		FS-286	US Army	freighter	560	176	10 Feb 1945	USCG-manned
101		FS-287	US Army	freighter	560	176	1 Mar 1945	USCG-manned, to France as Girod
102		FS-288	US Army	freighter	560	176	10 Mar 1945	USCG-manned, to USN 1950 as AKL-23, struck 1959
103		FS-289	US Army	freighter	560	176	24 Mar 1945	USCG-manned, to USN 1947 as USS New Bedford (AKL-17), IX-308, sold 1996 as Ghost, Sea Bird
104		FS-290	US Army	freighter	560	176	7 Apr 1945	USCG-manned, lost in typhoon off Okinawa 1945
105		FS-291	US Army	freighter	560	176	21 Apr 1945	later E-42-1835, John D. Diehl
106		FS-292	US Army	freighter	560	176	5 May 1945	to Liberia as Joanne, W. T. James, Jr.
107		ST-859	US Army	tugboat		86	Apr 1945	to USSR 1940s
108		ST-860	US Army	tugboat		86	May 1945	sold 1961 as Judy S, May, capsized 1992
109		ST-861	US Army	tugboat		86	June 1945	to USSR 1940s
110	249491	ST-862	US Army	tugboat		86	July 1945	cancelled, built as Metropolitan No. 2, scrapped 1970
111	251162	ST-863	US Army	tugboat		86	1946	cancelled, built as Frederick A. Russell, Harry R. Conners, Frank L. Coyne, Mid State II, Tekaquitha, sank 1993
120				freighter			Aug 1945	later Rosemarie
121		Nina B		trawler		198	1945	later Nordeaster II, Nordelfin, Red Diamond VI, Hampton
124		Marge & Pat II		trawler		198	July 1946	later Pacific, Cushmere, Evelyn L. Brown, Carlson Fishery III, Aspasia, Eileen Doe, Concordia
125				trawler			Oct 1946	later Josephine Esa
127		DB 1	US Army	derrick barge			July 1945
128	254651	DB 2	US Army	derrick barge	79	64	Sep 1945	sold as Derrick Barge Gahagan No. 15
129		DB 3	US Army	derrick barge			Oct 1945
130		DB 4	US Army	derrick barge			Oct 1945
131		DB 5	US Army	derrick barge			Oct 1945
132		DB 6	US Army	derrick barge			Oct 1945
		one of above	US Army	derrick barge			1945	sold as DB Justin, DB Victory
Fishing Vessels Built in Whitestone After WWII (listed by Official Number)
	248804	Janet & Jean		trawler	47	60	1945	later Valerie C
	249032	Whitestone		trawler	47	60	1945	later Sandra and Cindy
	249282	Arthur L		trawler	47	60	1946	later St. Anna Maria
	249820	Matilda S		trawler	47	60	1946	later Gambler, sank 1994
	250367	Maridor		trawler	47	60	1946	later Alba
Incomplete List of "Sunlounge" and Similar Cruisers Built in Whitestone After WWII (listed by Official Number)
193						40	1946	later The Wheeler, Atralia, Catoctin
	248025	Lady Lou II		passenger	14	42	1945	later Parable
	253959	Three Jay's		yacht	30	44	1947
	254661	Serenade		yacht	21	37	1946	later Queen Chesapeake, Riff Raff
	256115	Bonnie		trawler	33	47	1948
	256123	Jackie		trawler	33	47	1948
	256902	Cuquita		yacht	21	37	1946
	260579	Jodi		yacht	23	37	1946	later Donnie B
	265155	Dona Rosa II		passenger	19	37	1946
	268030	Hurricane		yacht	29	44	1947
	274926	Hi-Sea		trawler	14	30	1946
	277473	Wickie		yacht	22	37	1947	later Mr. Lucky
	277777	Electron		yacht	25	43	1947
	278475	Emma-S		yacht	22	37	1946
	279252	Civair		trawler	12	36	1946	later Weigle, Abby
	280201	Najoles		yacht	22	37	1946
	281605	Helen III		yacht	21	38	1946	later Dauntless III, Men Ehune
	281627	Little Zephyr		yacht	14	32	1946
	281758	Larc III		yacht	29	44	1947
	281891	Cricket		yacht	22	37	1946	later El Lobo
	281992	Lessew		yacht	20	37	1946	later Juniper
	282657	Capodella IV		passenger	20	38	1946	later Adria, We Go It
	283204	Jokial IV		yacht	22	37	1946	later Pegasus
	283365	Fair Lady II		yacht	13	31	1948
	283377	Tibi		yacht	22	38	1946
	283480	The Packet		yacht	17	39	1946
	284492	Jessie De		yacht	22	37	1947
	284574	Mared		yacht	13	31	1946	later Leslyn
	285472	Paramour		yacht	27	44	1947	later Siliver Cloud
	287391	Rosario		yacht	21	38	1946	later Sea Mist
	290800	Sea Horse		yacht	22	37	1946
	291430	Camilla		passenger	19	38	1946	later Scuba Du
	295005	Shee-Gwee		yacht	23	37	1946	later Fortune Cookie