Agile-class minesweeper

The Agile-class minesweepers are a class of US-built ocean-going minesweepers. 58 ships were built for the United States Navy, 35 ships were built for the allied NATO navies of Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. 13 ships were later transferred to Belgium, Spain, Taiwan, the Philippines and Uruguay.

USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators:
Succeeded by: Acme-class
Subclasses: ships built for FMS
Cost: US$9 million (1955)[1] per unit
Built: 1951-1957
In service: 1953 - present
Completed: 93
Cancelled: 1
Active: 4
Preserved: 2
General characteristics
Displacement: 853 tons (full load)
Length: 172 ft (52 m)
Beam: 35 ft (11 m)
Draft: 10 ft (3.0 m)
Propulsion:
  • 4 × Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, 2,280 bhp (1,800 kW)
  • 2 × shafts
  • 2 × controllable pitch propellers
Speed: 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement: 7 officers, 70 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems:
AN/UQS-1 mine hunting sonar
Armament:

There is some confusion on how to name this class.[2] The class is often described as the Aggressive-class, as USS Aggressive (MSO-422) was the first ship to be commissioned. Sometimes four ships are a Dash-class subclass, although all ships are of the same design.[3]

Design

As a result of experiences during the Korean War, the United States Navy undertook a large scale construction of a new series of minesweepers. In contrast to the steel-hulled minesweepers built before, the Agile-class minesweepers were built mostly of wood with bronze and stainless steel fittings and engines to minimize their magnetic signature. The ships were equipped with the UQS-1 mine-locating sonar and were capable of sweeping moored, bottom contact, magnetic and acoustic mines.[4]

Modernization

Although it was planned to modernize all U.S. Navy ship of this class, only 19 ships were modernized starting with Fiscal Year 1968. The modernization cost between 700,000 and 1,500,000 $ per ship and should enable them to operate for another ten years. The ships received new aluminum block Waukesha diesel engines and the superstructure was enlarged aft. The UQS-1 sonar was replaced with SQQ-14. Two PAP-104 cable-guided undersea tools were added. Also, two 40 hp zodiacs were carried for the purpose of mooring the new sonar reflectors. Also, a team of mine clearance divers was added. Additional space on the foc'sle was needed for installation of the SQQ-14 cabling so the 40mm Bofors bow gun was replaced with a mount for a twin 20 mm Mk 68 gun.[5]

As of 2015, the four ships transferred to Taiwan are still in service.

Construction and disposition

Ship Name Hull No. Builder Commission–
Decommission
Fate Link
Agile421Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1956–1972Sold for scrap 1980
Aggressive422Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1953–1971Sold for scrap 1980
Avenge423Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1954-1970Destroyed by fire, sold for scrapping 1969
Bold424Norfolk Naval Shipyard1953-1971Sold for scrap 1981
Bulwark425Norfolk Naval Shipyard1953-1971Sold for scrap 1980
Conflict426Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California1954-1973Sold for scrap 1973
Constant427Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California1954-1992Sold for scrap 2001
Dash428Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Detector429Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Direct430Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York1954-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Dominant431Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York1954-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Dynamic432Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California1953-1971
1971-1998
1971 to Spain as Guadalete (M41) 1971, decommissioned 1998
Engage433Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California1953-1991Scrapped 2002
Embattle434Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California1954-1972Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993.
Endurance435J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1954-1972Sold for scrap 1973
Energy436J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1954-1972
1972-1977
1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Norte (PM-91)
Sold for scrap 1977
Enhance437Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1955-1991Sold for scrap 2000
Esteem438Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1955-1991Sold for scrap 2000
Excel439Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1992Sold for scrap 2000
Exploit440Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1954-1993Sold for scrap 2002
Exultant441Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1954-1993Sold for scrap 2002
Fearless442Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Fidelity443Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1989Sold for scrap 1990
Firm444J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1954-1972
1972-1977
1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Sur (PM-92), scrapped 1977
Force445J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1955-1973Sunk after a fire
Fortify446Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington1954-1992Scrapped 2002
Guide447Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington1955-1972Sold for scrap 1973
Illusive448Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1953-1990Sold for scrap 1993
Impervious449Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1954-1991Scrapped 2002
Berneval450Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1954-1987Built for France, scrapped
Bir Hakeim451Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1954-1970
1970-1979
Built for France, transferred to Uruguay in 1970 and renamed Maldanado (MS 33), scrapped 1979
Garigliano452Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1954-1988Built for France, struck 1988
Alençon453Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1954-1983Built for France, struck 1983
Dompaire454Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1954-1983Built for France, struck 1983
Implicit455Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1994Sold to Taiwan 1994
Inflict456Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Loyalty457Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1972Sold for scrap 1973
Lucid458Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1970Sold for scrap 1976
Currently being restored by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum as a museum ship
Nimble459Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1970Sold for scrap 1981
Notable460Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Observer461Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1972Sold for scrap 1979
Pinnacle462Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana1955-1970Sold for scrap 1978
Pivot463Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1971
1974-1999
1974 to Spain as Guadalmedina (M42), scrapped 1999
Pluck464Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Prestige465Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1958Grounded and sunk, 1958 in the Naruto Strait
Prime466Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1970Sold for scrap 1976
Reaper467Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California1954-1972Sold for scrap 1976
Rival468Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1954-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Sagacity469Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1955-1970Grounded at Charleston, sold for scrap 1970.
Salute470Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1955-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Skill471Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1950-1970Sold for scrap 1979
Valor472Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin1954-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Vigor473Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin1954-1972
1972-1999
1972 to Spain as Guadiana (M44), scrapped 1999.
Vital474Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin1955-1972Sold for scrap 1979
My Tho475Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1988Built for France, scrapped 1989
Can Tho476Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1987Built for France, struck 1987
Vinh Long477Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1988Built for France, scrapped 1992
São Jorge478Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Pico479Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1974Built for Portugal; transferred to Belgium for spare parts, burned out in 1997, scrapped in 2011
Onversaagd480Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1979Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979
Onbevreesd 481Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1988Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989
Onvervaard482Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1984Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984
Onverschrokken483Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1987Built for the Netherlands, converted to torpedo retriever Mercuur (A856) in 1973, decommissioned 1987 and preserved as museum ship in Vlissingen
Onvermoeid484Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1974Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975
Onverdroten)485Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1984Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985
Graciosa486Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Corvo487Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Conquest488J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1955-1994
1994-2020
1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307)
Gallant489J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1955-1994
1994-2013
1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308)
Leader490J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1955-1991Sold for scrap 1994
Persistent491J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1956-1971
1971-2000
1971 to Spain as Guadalquivir (M43), scrapped
Pledge492J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington1956-1994
1994-
1994 to Taiwan Yung Teh (MSO-1309)
Stalwart493Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida1956-1966Caught fire pier side at San Juan, Puerto Rico, sunk 1966. Later raised and sunk as an artificial reef.
Sturdy494Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida1957-1971Sold for scrap 1978
Swerve495Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida1957-1971Sold for scrap 1978
Venture496Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida1958-1971Sold for scrap 1978
MSO-497497Cancelled
Lågen498Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1966
1966-1996
Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as Dufour (M 903), scrapped 2007
Namsen499Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1966
1966-1993
Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as De Brouwer (M 904), scrapped 2007
Berlaimont500Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1956-1986Built for France, scrapped 1986
Origny501Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1956-1983Built for France, converted to oceanographic research ship in 1962, reclassified A640 in 1974, struck 1985
Autun502Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1956-1985Built for France, scrapped 1985
Artevelde503Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1985Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985
Breydel504Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1993Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006
Baccarat505Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1993Built for France, struck 1993
Storione506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1956-1997Built for Italy, struck 1997
Salmone506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California1956-1996Built for Italy, struck 1996
Narvik512Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1988Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989
Ouistreham513Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1994Built for France, struck 1994
Colmar514Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1976Built for France, scrapped 1985
Georges Truffaut515Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1956-2000Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007
F. Bovesse516Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1956-1993Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004
Sgombro517Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1957-2000Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000
Squalo518Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1957-2000Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000

References

  1. http://stocktonhistoricalmaritimemuseum.org/uss-lucid/stats/
  2. navsource.org minesweeper class
  3. Paul H. Silverstone: US Warships since 1945. Allan Ltd., Shepperton, Surrey (UK) 1986, p. 127. ISBN 0711015988
  4. Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht USA. Bechtermünz Verlag, Augsburg (Germany) 1997, p. 609. ISBN 3860475762
  5. Terzibaschitsch, p. 609; http://www.allwoodships.com/MilitaryShips/MineWarfare/AM-421,Agile-Aggressive.htm Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
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