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What was the ROKS Baekdusan?

The ROKS Baekdusan was the first real warship of the South Korean Navy. Built in 1944, this boat was designed for coastal patrol and hunting enemy submarines. It was a very important ship because it helped protect the long coastline of South Korea.

How did the South Korean Navy get this ship?

In 1949, South Korean sailors and citizens worked together to collect money for a ship. They used these donations to buy a patrol boat from the United States that did not have any weapons. The crew sailed the ship to Hawaii to add a powerful 3-inch gun before bringing it home to South Korea.

What role did the ship play during the Korean War?

On the night of June 25, 1950, the Baekdusan found a large enemy ship sneaking toward the shore. That enemy ship was carrying hundreds of commandos to attack the city of Busan. The Baekdusan fought back and sank the enemy ship during the famous Battle of the Korea Strait.

Why was the battle of the Baekdusan so important?

By sinking the enemy ship, the Baekdusan kept the port city of Busan safe from a surprise attack. This victory was vital because it allowed food, fuel, and soldiers to keep arriving from other countries. If the port had fallen, it would have been much harder to defend South Korea.

What is the historical legacy of the Baekdusan?

The Baekdusan is remembered as a symbol of the hard work and love that South Korean people had for their country. Because the ship was bought with money from regular citizens, it shows how much they wanted to protect their freedom. It remains one of the most famous and respected ships in the history of the South Korean Navy.

Home Library South KoreaROKS Baekdusan (PC-701)

Submarine Chaser

ROKS Baekdusan (PC-701)

The first significant armed combat vessel bought by the South Korean Navy through citizen donations.

South Korea Introduced 1944 Defoe Shipbuilding CompanyRole: Coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare

Specifications

Displacement

450 tons

Crew

65 sailors

Length

173 feet

Top Speed

20 knots

Armament

One 3-inch deck gun, plus machine guns

The ROKS Baekdusan (PC-701) of South Korea

History

In 1949, South Korea did not have a proper naval warship to protect its coastline. Sailors and citizens raised money through donations, and the South Korean Navy bought an unarmed former American patrol craft. They sailed it to Hawaii to install an American 3-inch gun and ammunition, naming it the ROKS Baekdusan.

On the opening night of the Korean War, June 25, 1950, the Baekdusan intercepted a large hostile armed transport ship attempting to land hundreds of enemy commandos near the crucial port city of Busan. The Baekdusan successfully sank the enemy ship in the Battle of the Korea Strait, saving the port and safeguarding vital international supply lines.