Evidence
4 evidence entries recorded; each entry has a stable permalink (#ev-1 … #ev-4).
-
[1]research packet 947-packet.md (3 sources cited) [other_primary]
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- Identity packet verdict: VERIFIED
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Evidence ID
- uss-amherst-pcer853-pkt-947-packet-md
-
[2]Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS), ‘Amherst (PCER-853)’ (published 2020-05-26) [nhhc_danfs]
- Locator
- DANFS entry, specification block and service narrative
- Finding type
- vessel_history
- Finding
- DANFS identifies the vessel as PCE(R)-853; records its construction by Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Co. in Chicago, laying down on 16 November 1943, launching on 18 March 1944, placement in service on 31 May 1944, and commissioning at New Orleans on 16 June 1944. It recounts wartime rescue and escort service, decommissioning at Norfolk on 26 June 1946, return to active status on 28 November 1950, naming as Amherst (PCER-853) on 15 February 1956, out-of-service special status on 6 February 1970, striking from the Naval Vessel Register on 3 June 1970, transfer to the Republic of Vietnam as Van Kiep II (HQ-14), and escape to the Philippines about 2 May 1975. The entry lists complement 99 in its specifications.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1943-1975
- Limitations
- Ship-history evidence only. DANFS gives the career milestones stated here but does not establish the vessel’s final fate or present location. The listed complement is the entry’s specification figure and is not asserted as a crew count at a particular time. This source does not document asbestos aboard the vessel.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amherst-pcer853-01
-
[3]National Archives, Special List 44, by Ship Numbers, p. 73, entry PCE-853 [other_primary]
- Locator
- PDF p. 73, PCE-853 row
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- NARA Special List 44 lists Navy deck-log coverage for PCE-853 from 16 June 1944 through 30 June 1945.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- supporting
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Study period
- 1944-06-16 to 1945-06-30 (listed log coverage)
- Limitations
- This is an archival coverage listing, not the deck logs themselves. The dates describe the listed log coverage only and are not commissioning, decommissioning, or complete service dates. The list does not document asbestos aboard the ship.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amherst-pcer853-02
-
[4]National Archives, Special List 44, by Ship Numbers, p. 73, entry PCE-853; and NHHC DANFS, ‘Amherst (PCER-853)’ [other_primary]
- Locator
- NARA p. 73, PCE-853 row; DANFS specification block and service narrative
- Finding type
- historical_record
- Finding
- The NARA log-coverage listing and NHHC DANFS entry reviewed for this record do not identify asbestos-containing materials aboard PCE(R)-853/Amherst. These two sources therefore do not substantiate ship-specific asbestos documentation.
- Verification
- verified
- Role
- negative_finding
- Documentation level
- ship_specific
- Accessed
- 2026-10-03
- Limitations
- This is a bounded negative finding about the contents of the two cited sources, not proof that asbestos was absent. The CourtListener sweep was stopped at the helper’s fleet-pacing stand-down before the four base queries were completed; litigation evidence has not been determined. No ship survey, abatement record, or complete deck-log review was located in this research.
- Atlas source
- true
- Evidence ID
- ev-uss-amherst-pcer853-03