From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships, Vol. III, 1968, Navy  
Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Naval History  
Division, Washington, D.C.

IRENE FORSYTE (IX-93)

l. 144';
b. 27' 7";
s. 13 k.;
a. 1' 4", 1 40-mm., 2 20-mm., 1 ASW rocket

IRENE FORSYTE (IX-93), a schooner, was built in 1920 as IRENE MYRTLE by 
MacLean Construction Co., Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, and was purchased by 
the Navy 16 November 1942 from Thomas Antle of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. 
Renamed IRENE FORSYTE, she was converted for Navy use at Thames 
Shipyard, New London, Conn., and commissioned 26 August 1943, Lt. Comdr. 
R. Parmenter in command.

IRENE FORSYTE was one of five "Q ships" used by the Navy in World War 
II. Based on the experience of World War I, it was hoped that these 
ships, with their relatively heavy armament concealed, could act as 
decoys to lure submarines into close quarters on the surface and then 
sink them. The schooner sailed 29 September 1943 with a volunteer crew. 
Off Nantucket Island she changed her name and flag to that of a 
Portuguese fishing schooner and stood southeast in hopes of encountering 
submarines.

Caught in a hurricane near Bermuda, IRENE FORSYTE was severely damaged 
and averted sinking only by anchoring in Hamilton Sound, Bermuda. She 
was reconditioned and prepared to resume her cruise; but, when it was 
decided that the project held little promise of sinking enemy 
submarines, she was ordered back to the United States.

The schooner arrived New York 8 November 1943 and decommissioned 16 
December 1943 for return to the Maritime Commission. She was used for a 
time on a loan basis by the Merchant Marine Cadet Corps as a training 
ship and returned to the Navy for disposal in November 1944. IRENE 
FORSYTE was sold at public auction 18 October 1945.