Submarine chasers of this variety were collectively nicknamed "the splinter fleet" due to their wooden hulls.

[3][5]) During World War II, 142 SC-497-class submarine chasers were lent to allies of the United States as part of the Lend-Lease program.

Seventy-eight were sent to the Soviet Union, 50 to France, 8 to Brazil, 3 to Norway, and 3 to Mexico.

[3][1] The three Norwegian examples served with distinction on the Shetland bus service, running agents, refugees and weapons past the German blockade between occupied Norway and Britain.

HNoMS Hitra (ex-USS SC-718) is preserved at the Royal Norwegian Navy Museum.