Calling all Yard Patrol Boat (YP "yippies") fans

[Captain Morgan]

I'm starting on a diorama of Sweet Pea and her long voyage following the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Nov 13, 1942. After taking a long lance to her stbd stern, which sheared the stbd shafts and jammed her rudder she spent a very long day heading to Tulagi. Portland was assisted by Higgins boats and YP-239 first, then ended up with the tug Bobolink and YP-239 for the trip to Tulagi.
So I'm building Portland with her damaged tail, Bobolink, and YP-239 all in 1/700.
For Portland I've got a Tamiya Indianapolis and Model Monkey conversion pieces.
Bobolink will be made from one of my CAP Vireo kits.
That leaves YP-239 which was the San Diego tuna clipper Challenger before the war. Most photos I've found for her are either real poor (small) or don't show more than an image from forward. She is one of 3 tuna clippers to receive battle stars from the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 25 October 1942. She was severely damaged during typhoon Louise in 1945 and scrapped in 1946 so there aren't a lot of images available

From Navsource. This is YP-239 in her one year of civilian service.

This is YP-239 in her one year of civilian service.

YP-239 at Okinawa after Typhoon Louise, October 9 and 10, 1945, photographed by George Nevers.

This is YP-239 following typhoon Louise

From Navsource Cover art for David Bruhn's book provisionally titled, "Yachts and Yippies: the U.S. Navy's Patrol Yachts and Patrol Vessels." The painting by Richard DeRosset, titled "Night Action off Tulagi", depicts the destruction of USS YP-346 by the Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Sendai off Guadalcanal on 8 September 1942.

This is YP-346 being sunk. She looks very similar to YP-239.
YP-239, YP-284, and YP-346 all received battle stars for the Capture and Defense of Guadalcanal, 25 October 1942. YP-284 and YP-346 were sunk there.

I plan to have a little bit of fun building this little known warrior whose crew served with distinction.

[sskoehler1@msn.com]

Could Harry Koehler have been transferred/loaned to another ship i.e. YP-284 or YP-346 before the battle "Night Action off Tulagi", . The whole story of Harry�s ship being destroyed and his being stranded on a Japanese held island, may be what did happen after this battle. Were the YP-284 and YP-346 also stationed at ROSE base? Were all survivors transferred to the YP-239 after the battle? Telegram listing Harry as MIA- date? Harry received commendations from YP-239 service. most service records were lost.