USS Firecrest (AMS-10)

USS Firecrest (AMS-10/YMS-231) was an YMS-1-class minesweeper of the YMS-135 subclass acquired by the U.S. Navy for clearing coastal minefields during World War II.

USS Firecrest (AMS-10) In a Japanese port, 3 September 1952.
History
United States
Laid down:	5 October 1942
Launched:	3 April 1943
Commissioned:	6 August 1943
Decommissioned:	February 1947
In service:	date unknown
Out of service:	date unknown
Stricken:	31 March 1967
Fate:	Disposed of as a target in August 1969
History
Japan
Name:	JDS Etajima (MSC-656)
Acquired:	15 March 1955
Fate:	returned to U.S., early 1967
General characteristics
Displacement:	270 tons
Length:	136 ft (41 m)
Beam:	24 ft 6 in (7.47 m)
Draught:	8 ft (2.4 m)
Propulsion:	two General Motors diesel engines, two shafts
Speed:	15 kts
Complement:	32
Armament:	one single 3 in (76 mm) gun mount, two 20 mm, two dcp

Firecrest was laid down 5 October 1942 by Frank L. Sample, Jr., Boothbay Harbor, Maine; launched, 3 April 1943; completed and commissioned USS YMS-231, 6 August 1943.

She was decommissioned in February 1947; named Firecrest and reclassified as a Motor minesweeper, AMS-10, 18 February 1947.

Firecrest returned to service in the later 1940s. She was sent to Korea in 1950 and operated in the combat zone until the shooting ended in July 1953. Firecrest continued to serve in the Far East after the war. She was reclassified as a Coastal minesweeper, Old, MSC(O)-10, 7 February 1955.

Firecrest was transferred to Japan, 15 March 1955 as Etajima (MSC-656). She was returned to U. S. custody in 1967 and struck from the Naval Register, 31 March 1967. Firecrest was disposed of as a target in August 1969.