USS Gum Tree (AN-18)

USS Gum Tree (AN-18/YN-13) was an Aloe-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve the U.S. Navy during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets.

Built in West Virginia
Gum Tree (YN-13) was launched 20 March 1941 by the Marietta Manufacturing Co., Point Pleasant, West Virginia; commissioned 16 September 1941, Algiers, Louisiana, Lt. George H. Burrows in command.

World War II service
After shakedown in the Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River, Gum Tree sailed for Newfoundland on 25 September 1941, reaching Argentia, Newfoundland, 25 January 1942 after touching at Key West, Florida; New York City; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; and, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

She spent the following 17 months laying and tending nets off Newfoundland and then returned to the States for overhaul. Casco Bay, off Portland, Maine, was Gum Tree's home port for the remainder of the war as she tended harbor defenses there.

Her designation was changed to AN-18 20 January 1944. In September 1945, the net-tender participated in some experimental net operations at Melville, Rhode Island, and then was ordered to Orange, Texas, where she arrived 6 December 1945.

Post-war decommissioning
Gum Tree decommissioned at Orange, Texas, 20 June 1946 and was struck from the Navy List 7 February 1947. She was transferred 27 February 1948 to the U.S. Maritime Commission at Lake Charles, Louisiana.