List of mine warfare vessels of the United States Navy

Ships grouped alphabeticallyShips grouped by type

This is a list of mine warfare vessels of the United States Navy.

Ship status is indicated as either currently active [A] (including ready reserve), inactive [I], or precommissioning [P]. Ships in the inactive category include only ships in the inactive reserve, ships which have been disposed from US service have no listed status. Ships in the precommissioning category include ships under construction or on order.

Historical overview

Mine warfare consists of: minelaying, the deployment of explosive naval mines at sea to sink enemy ships or to prevent their access to particular areas; minesweeping, the removal or detonation of naval mines; and degaussing, the process of decreasing or eliminating a remnant magnetic field in a ship's hull to prevent its detection by magnetic mines. The US Navy has operated ships and craft for all three purposes. Mine planting is the laying and maintenance of controlled mines for harbor defense, which was traditionally a role of the US Army.

Classifications

Mine warfare ships were originally considered by the US Navy to be either auxiliaries or yard and district craft, and so were given hull classification symbols beginning with either 'A' or 'Y', depending on their capabilities. The exceptions were four converted cargo ships with ID numbers (prior to the modern hull system), certain large 'cruiser' minelayers which were given hull symbols beginning with 'CM', converted destroyers which were given hull symbols beginning with 'DM', and three unclassified civilian cargo ships after World War II.

On 7 February 1955 all of these ships and craft still in service or reserve were reclassed and received new hull symbols beginning with 'M', usually without change of hull number. The exception was the degaussing ships, which retained the 'A' hull symbol.

Modern Littoral Combat Ships use 'L' hull symbols even though they can be used for mine warfare.

Auxiliary minelayers (ACM)

All ACMs except USS Buttress and USS Monadnock were originally US Army mine planters.

Chimo class

PCE-842 class

• USS Buttress (ACM-4), ex-PCE-878

Camanche class

Other classes

• USS Monadnock (ACM-10)

Degaussing ships (ADG)

Minesweepers (AM)

Lapwing class

• USS Lapwing (AM-1), later AVP-1
• USS Owl (AM-2), later AT-137, ATO-137
• USS Robin (AM-3), later AT-140, ATO-140
• USS Swallow (AM-4), wrecked Kanaga Island, Alaska 19 February 1938
• USS Tanager (AM-5), sunk by Japanese artillery on Bataan 4 May 1942
• USS Cardinal (AM-6), wrecked off Chirikof Island, Alaska 6 June 1923
• USS Oriole (AM-7), later AT-136, ATO-136
• USS Curlew (AM-8), wrecked Point Mosquito Panama 15 December 1925
• USS Finch (AM-9), sunk in air attack, Corregidor, PI, 10 April 1942

Raven class

The Raven class became Minesweepers, steel hulled (MSF) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Raven (AM-55)
• USS Osprey (AM-56), sunk by mine, English Channel, 5 June 1944, 6 killed

Auk class

The Auk class became Minesweepers, Steel Hulled (MSF) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Auk (AM-57)
• USS Broadbill (AM-58)
• USS Chickadee (AM-59)
• USS Nuthatch (AM-60)
• USS Pheasant (AM-61)
• USS Sheldrake (AM-62), later AGS-19
• USS Skylark (AM-63), sunk by mine Okinawa 28 March 1945, 5 killed
• USS Starling (AM-64)
• USS Swallow (AM-65), sunk by kamikaze Okinawa 22 April 1945

Bullfinch class

• USS Bullfinch (AM-66)
• USS Cardinal (AM-67)

Catbird class

• USS Catbird (AM-68), later IX-183
• USS Curlew (AM-69), later IX-170

Albatross class (1940)

• USS Albatross (AM-71), later IX-171
• USS Bluebird (AM-72), later IX-172

Kite class

• USS Kite (AM-75)
• USS Linnet (AM-76), later IX-166

Goshawk class

• USS Goshawk (AM-79), ex-AMc-4, later IX-195

Goldcrest class

• USS Goldcrest (AM-80)
• USS Chaffinch (AM-81)

Adroit class

All ships of this class were converted to submarine chasers (PC)

Hawk class

• USS Hawk (AM-133)
• USS Ibis (AM-134)
• USS Merganser (AM-135)

Admirable class

The Admirable class became Minesweepers, steel hulled (MSF) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Admirable (AM-136)
• USS Adopt (AM-137)
• USS Advocate (AM-138)
• USS Agent (AM-139)
• USS Alarm (AM-140)
• USS Alchemy (AM-141)
• USS Apex (AM-142)
• USS Arcade (AM-143)
• USS Arch (AM-144)
• USS Armada (AM-145)

Algerine class (built for the United Kingdom)

These minesweepers were built for the U.K. and redesignated from an AM hull number to a J hull number. Most were returned to the US at the end of Lend-Lease.

Agile class and Aggressive class

These classes have considerable overlap; some ships are considered both Agile and Agreessive class.^{[by whom?]} A few more are occasionally considered Dash class. These classes became Minesweepers, ocean (MSO) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Agile (AM-421)
• USS Aggressive (AM-422)
• USS Avenge (AM-423)
• USS Bold (AM-424)
• USS Bulwark (AM-425)
• USS Conflict (AM-426)
• USS Constant (AM-427)
• USS Dash (AM-428)
• USS Detector (AM-429)

Accentor or Acme class

The Acme class became Minesweepers, ocean (MSO) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Acme (AM-508)
• USS Adroit (AM-509)
• USS Advance (AM-510)
• USS Affray (AM-511)

Ability class

The Ability class became Minesweepers, Ocean (MSO) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Ability (AM-519)
• USS Alacrity (AM-520)
• USS Assurance (AM-521)

Other/unknown class

Auxiliary base minesweepers (AMb)

• USS Raymonde (AMb-17), later YP-375, IX-199^[2]

Coastal minesweepers (AMc)

Pipit class

• USS Pipit (AMc-1)
• USS Magpie (AMc-2)
• USS Plover (AMc-3)

Goshawk class

• USS Goshawk (AMc-4), later AM-79

Chatterer class

• USS Chatterer (AMc-16)

Grosbeak class

• USS Grosbeak (AMc-19)

Crow class

• USS Crow (AMc-20), sunk during torpedo training session, Puget Sound, 23 August 1943

Egret class

• USS Egret (AMc-24), later IX-181

Frigate Bird class

• USS Frigate Bird (AMc-27)

Reedbird class

• USS Reedbird (AMc-30)

Firecrest class

• USS Firecrest (AMc-33)

Accentor class

Agile class

• USS Agile (AMc-111), later IX-203

Acme class

• USS Affray (AMc-112)

Admirable class

PCS-1376 class

The PCS-1376 class of coastal minesweepers were originally Patrol Craft Sweepers (PCS) which lacked minesweeping gear. They were built on 134-foot YMS-1-class minesweeper hulls and then converted into sonar school ships or back into minesweepers.^[3]

• USS Medrick (AMc-203), ex-PCS-1466
• USS Minah (AMc-204), ex-PCS-1465, later AMCU-14

Other/unknown classes

Many coastal minesweepers were civilian ships purchased by the US Navy and then converted for use as minesweeper ships. Among them are various designs and makes of yachts, fishing vessels, and other ships.

Coastal minesweepers (Underwater locator) (AMCU)

On 7 February 1955, all AMCU's were redesignated as Coastal minehunters (MHC). Hull numbers were not changed.

AMCU-7 class

All AMCU-7 class minesweepers were conversions of Landing Craft Infantry (LCI).^[4]

YMS-1 class

PCS-1376 class

• USS Minah (AMCU-14), ex-PCS-1465, AMc-204

Other/unknown classes

Ocean minesweepers (AMS)

YMS-1 class

• USS Albatross (AMS-1), ex-YMS-80, later EMSC(O)-1
• USS Bobolink (AMS-2), ex-YMS-164, later MHC-44
• USS Bunting (AMS-3), ex-YMS-170, later MHC-45
• USS Cardinal (AMS-4), ex-YMS-179, later MSC(O)-4
• USS Condor (AMS-5), ex-YMS-192, later MSC(O)-5
• USS Courser (AMS-6), ex-YMS-201, later MSC(O)-6
• USS Crow (AMS-7), ex-YMS-215
• USS Curlew (AMS-8), ex-YMS-218, later MSC(O)-8
• USS Flicker (AMS-9), ex-YMS-219, later MSC(O)-9
• USS Firecrest (AMS-10), ex-YMS-231, later MSC(O)-10
• USS Flamingo (AMS-11), ex-YMS-238, later MSC(O)-11
• USS Goldfinch (AMS-12), ex-YMS-306, later MSO(O)-12
• USS Grackle (AMS-13), ex-YMS-312, later MSC(O)-13
• USS Grosbeak (AMS-14), ex-YMS-317
• USS Grouse (AMS-15), ex-YMS-321, later MSC(O)-15
• USS Gull (AMS-16), ex-YMS-324, later AMCU-46
• USS Hawk (AMS-17), ex-YMS-362, later MSC(O)-17
• USS Heron (AMS-18), ex-YMS-369, later MSC(O)-18
• USS Hornbill (AMS-19), ex-YMS-371, later MSC(O)-19
• USS Hummer (AMS-20), ex-YMS-372, later MSC(O)-20
• USS Jackdaw (AMS-21), ex-YMS-373
• USS Kite (AMS-22), ex-YMS-374, later MSC(O)-22
• USS Lark (AMS-23), ex-YMS-376, later MSC(O)-23
• USS Linnet (AMS-24), ex-YMS-395, later MSC(O)-24
• USS Magpie (AMS-25), ex-YMS-400, sunk by mine off Chusan Po, Korea, 1 Oct 1950, 21 killed^[1]
• USS Merganser (AMS-26), ex-YMS-417, later AMCU-47
• USS Mockingbird (AMS-27), ex-YMS-419, later MSC(O)-27
• USS Osprey (AMS-28), ex-YMS-422, later MSC(O)-28
• USS Ostrich (AMS-29), ex-YMS-430, later MSC(O)-29
• USS Parakeet (AMS-30), ex-YMS–434, grounded 30 Mar 1949
• USS Partridge (AMS-31), ex-YMS-437, sunk by mine in Wonsan harbor, Korea, 2 Feb 1951, 8 killed^[1]
• USS Pelican (AMS-32), ex-YMS-441, later MSC(O)-32
• USS Plover (AMS-33), ex-YMS-442, later MSC(O)-33
• USS Redhead (AMS-34), ex-YMS-443, later AMCU-48
• USS Sanderling (AMS-35), ex-YMS-446, later AMCU-49
• USS Swallow (AMS-36), ex-YMS-461, later MSC(O)-36
• USS Swan (AMS-37), ex-YMS-470, later MSC(O)-37
• USS Verdin (AMS-38), ex-YMS-471, later MSC(O)-38
• USS Waxbill (AMS-39), ex-YMS-479, later AMCU-50
• USS Chatterer (AMS-40), ex-YMS-415, later MSC(O)-40
• USS Barbet (AMS-41), ex-YMS-45, later MSC(O)-41
• USS Brambling (AMS-42), ex-YMS-109, later MSC(O)-42
• USS Brant (AMS-43), ex-YMS-113, later MSC(O)-43
• USS Courlan (AMS-44), ex-YMS-114, later MSC(O)-44
• USS Crossbill (AMS-45), ex-YMS-120, later MSC(O)-45
• USS Egret (AMS-46), ex-YMS-136, later MSC(O)-46
• USS Fulmar (AMS-47), ex-YMS-193, later MSC(O)-47
• USS Lapwing (AMS-48), ex-YMS-268, later MSC(O)-48
• USS Lorikeet (AMS-49), ex-YMS-271, later MSC(O)-49
• USS Nightingale (AMS-50), ex-YMS-290, later MSC(O)-50
• USS Reedbird (AMS-51), ex-YMS-291, later MSC(O)-51
• USS Rhea (AMS-52), ex-YMS-299, later MSC(O)-52
• USS Robin (AMS-53), ex-YMS-311, later MSC(O)-53
• USS Ruff (AMS-54), ex-YMS-327, later MSC(O)-54
• USS Seagull (AMS-55), ex-YMS-402, later MCS(O)-55
• USS Turkey (AMS-56), ex-YMS-444, later MSC(O)-56
• USS Redpoll (AMS-57), ex-YMS-294, later MSC(O)-57
• USS Siskin (AMS-58), ex-YMS-425, later MSC(O)-58

Adjutant class or Bluebird class

The name of this class of ships internationally is Adjutant, named for the USS Adjutant (AMS-60), which was cancelled and transferred to Portugal as the Ponta Delgada (M 405). The first commissioned ship of this class in the US Navy was the USS Bluebird (AMS-121), hence its US Navy class name. This class became Minesweepers, coastal (MSC) on 7 February 1955.

Albatross class

The Albatross class became Minesweepers, coastal (MSC) on 7 February 1955.

• USS Albatross (AMS-289)
• USS Gannet (AMS-290)

Other/unknown classes

British minesweepers (BAM)

For more vessels of this class see Catherine class minesweeper

Minelayers (CM)

• USS Baltimore (CM-1), ex-C-3^[5]
• USS San Francisco (CM-2), ex-C-5, later Tahoe, Yosemite^[5]

Aroostook class

• USS Aroostook (CM-3), ex-ID-1256, later AK-44^[5]
• USS Shawmut (CM-4), ex-ID-1255, later ARG-1^[5]

Catskill class

• USS Terror (CM-5),^[6] later MM-5, MMF-5
• USS Catskill (CM-6),^[6] later LSV-1, MCS-1
• USS Ozark (CM-7),^[6] later LSV-2, MCS-2

Other/unknown classes and unique ships

Coastal minelayers (CMc)

Light minelayers (DM)

Wickes class

These ships were originally designated as Wickes class destroyers and later reclassified to light minelayers around 1920.

Clemson class

These ships were originally designated Clemson class destroyers and later reclassified as light minelayers in 1937.^[7]

Robert H. Smith class

These ships were originally designated Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers but were converted to Robert H. Smith class destroyer minelayers in 1944. In 1955 they would be reclassified as Fast minelayers (MMD).^[7]

High speed/Destroyer minesweepers (DMS)

Wickes class

Clemson class

Gleaves class

Converted steamships and freighters (ID)

Eight steamships and freighters laid the North Sea Mine Barrage during World War I.^[5]

Mine countermeasures ships (MCM)

Avenger class

Mine countermeasures support ships (MCS)

Many Mine Countermeasures Support (MCS) ships were previous vehicle landing, tank landing, dock landing, or amphibious assault ships that were reclassified to the MCS type in later years.

Catskill class

• USS Catskill (MCS-1), ex-LSV-1
• USS Ozark (MCS-2), ex-LSV-2

Osage class

• USS Osage (MCS-3), ex-LSV-3, MCS conversion canceled
• USS Saugus (MCS-4), ex-LSV-4, MCS conversion canceled
• USS Monitor (MCS-5), ex-LSV-5, MCS conversion canceled

LST-542 class

• USS Orleans Parish (MCS-6), ex-LST-1069

Ashland class

• USS Epping Forest (MCS-7), ex-LSD-4

Iwo Jima class

• USS Inchon (MCS-12), ex-LPH-12

Coastal minehunters (MHC)

On 7 February 1955, all Coastal minesweepers (Underwater locator) (AMCU)s were redesignated as MHCs. Hull numbers were not changed. Bobolink, Bunting, and the Osprey class never had AMCU designations.

LCI(L)-351 class aka AMCU-7 class

YMS-1 class

PCS-1376 class

• USS Minah (MHC-14)

Other/unknown classes

• USS Blackbird (MHC-11)
• USS Bittern (MHC-43)

Osprey class

Coastal minelayers (MMC)

Auk class

LSM-1 class

At least 9 Landing Ship Medium (LSM)s were converted into coastal minelayers for transfer to NATO allies.^[12]

unknown class

• USS MMC-15
• USS MMC-16

Fast minelayers (MMD)

Fast Minelayers (MMD) were originally classed as Light minelayers (DM), but were redesignated in 1955. Hull numbers were not changed.^[13]

Robert H. Smith class

Fleet minelayers (MMF)

Catskill class

• USS Terror (MMF-5), ex-CM-5, ex-MM-5

Minesweepers, coastal (MSC)

All Albatross and Bluebird class MSC vessels were originally classed as Ocean minesweepers (AMS) prior to 7 February 1955. Hull numbers were not changed.

Bluebird class

MSC-218 class

• USS MSC-218
• USS MSC-257

Albatross class (1960)

• USS Albatross (MSC-289)
• USS Gannet (MSC-290), Operation Dominic nuclear test participant^[14]

Unknown/other class

Minesweepers, coastal (Old) (MSC(O))

All Ocean minesweepers (AMS) which were originally YMS-1 class minesweepers and still on hand on 7 February 1955 were redesignated as Minesweepers, coastal (Old) (MSC(O)). Hull numbers were not changed.

YMS-1 class

Minesweepers, steel hulled (MSF)

All MSF vessels were originally classed as Minesweepers (AM) prior to 7 February 1955. Hull numbers were not changed.

Raven class

• USS Raven (MSF-55)

Auk class

Admirable class

Inshore minesweepers (MSI)

Minesweepers, ocean (MSO)

All MSO vessels were originally classed as Minesweepers (AM) prior to 7 February 1955. Hull numbers were not changed.

Agile or Aggressive class

Ships of this class are variously called Agile or Aggressive class depending on source. Some four ships are also sometimes named as a part of a distinct Dash subclass.

Acme class

Ability class

Minesweepers (Special device) (MSS)

Note that the official classification of these as devices rather than ships accounts for these ships absence of listings among the Navy's ships while designated MSS-1 and MSS-2.

• MSS-1, ex-Liberty ship Harry L. Glucksman
• Washtenaw County (MSS-2), ex-LST-1166

Submarine minelayers (SM)

• USS Argonaut (SM-1), later APS-1, sunk by Japanese destroyers off Rabaul on 10 January 1943

District auxiliary, miscellaneous (YAG)

Three Liberty ships were converted into experimental minesweepers.

• Floyd W. Spencer (YAG-36)^[18]
• John L. Sullivan (YAG-37)^[19]
• Edward Kavanagh (YAG-38)^[20]

Another Liberty ship, the SS R. Ney McNeely, was also converted into an experimental minesweeper, but was returned to the reserve fleet without having a YAG number assigned.^[21]

Degaussing craft (YDG)

Motor mineplanters (YMP)

Mineplanters were used to plant and maintain controlled mines for harbor defense; since the US Army had the primary responsibility for these minefields it is likely that the YMP hull designation was seldom used.

Auxiliary motor mine sweepers (YMS)

YMS-1 class

All Auxiliary Motor Mine Sweeper (YMS) ships to date are YMS-1 class, which itself has multiple subclasses.

YMS-1 subclass

YMS-135 subclass

YMS-446 subclass

Littoral combat ships (LCS)

The Littoral Combat Ships can carry mine warfare modules which operate unmanned vehicles of various types for mine clearance operations.

Unclassified civilian minesweepers

After the end of World War II three war-damaged civilian ships with skeleton Navy crews and automated engineering spaces were used as minesweepers to trigger still-active US pressure mines in Japanese waters. There ships were not Navy ships and were to be disposed and therefore were not assigned Navy hull classifications. Reportedly no active mines were found.^[54][55]

• SS Pratt Victory
• SS Joseph Holt
• SS Marathon

See also

• Commander Mine Squadron SEVEN
• List of current ships of the United States Navy
• List of United States Navy ships
• List of United States Navy losses in World War II § Mine warfare ships - abbreviated list
• List of US Navy ships sunk or damaged in action during World War II § Mine warfare vessels - detailed list
• List of ships of the United States Army § Mine Planters

References

Citations

Sources

• Friedman, Norman (1987). U.S. Small Combatants: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 978-0-87021-713-5.
• Friedman, Norman (2002). U.S. Amphibious Ships and Craft: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-250-1.

External links

Museum ships

• USS Hazard (AM-240) - Freedom Park, Omaha, NE
• USS Lucid (AM-458) - Stockton Maritime Museum, Stockton, CA
• MSO-483 - Stichting Maritiem Erfgoed Vlissingen, Netherlands