The USS Pine Island (AV-12) — 1946-1947

The Pine Island — from Virginia through the Panama Canal to Antarctica

The USS Pine Island (AV-12), a Currituck class seaplane tender, was commanded by Captain Henry H. Caldwell, USN, Annapolis class of 1927. Commander Isidore Schwartz was the Pine Island's executive officer, and Lt. Commander H.E. Williamson was ship's surgeon and physician.

The crews of six Martin PBM-5 Mariners — three each on the USS Currituck (AV-7), and the USS Pine Island (AV-12) — reported for a month of training at the Norfolk Naval Training Station in Virginia on November 1, 1946.

On November 27 three of the planes — Bond 1, Bond 2, and Bond 3 — flew from Norfolk to San Diego, where they were lifted on to the Currituck. The other three PBM-5s — George 1, George 2, and George 3 — were lifted on to the Pine Island in Norfolk.

So that the Pine Island would be light enough to navigate the canal, George 1 and George 2 flew across the Panama Canal Zone from Coca Sola Naval Air Station (near Colón on the Caribbean side) to the Balboa Submarine Base (at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal).

George 3, which had been partially disassembled, remained on board the Pine Island while it passed through the canal.

On December 10, 1946, the Pine Island left Balboa, Canal Zone, and crossed the equator at Longitude 28° 47' W on December 11.

On December 25, 1946, the Pine Island crossed the Antarctic Circle at 99° 44' W.