Admirable class minesweeper


USS Admirable (AM-136)
Class overview
Operators:  United States Navy
Preceded by: Hawk class minesweeper
Succeeded by: Agile class minesweeper
Planned: 147
Completed: 123
Cancelled: 24
General characteristics
Displacement: 625 tons
Length: 184 ft 6 in (56.24 m)
Beam: 33 ft (10 m)
Draft: 10 ft (3.0 m)
Speed: 15 knots (27.8 km/h)
Complement: 104 officers and men
Armament: 1 × 3"/50 caliber gun
4 × Bofors 40 mm gun
6 × Oerlikon 20 mm cannon
1 × Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar
4 × Depth charge projectors
2 × Depth charge racks
2 × Minesweeping paravanes

The Admirable class was the largest and one of the most successful classes of minesweepers the United States Navy ordered during World War II. Typically, the minesweeper detected and removed mines before the rest of the fleet arrived, thereby ensuring safe passage for the larger ships. They were also charged with antisubmarine warfare (ASW) duties with rear-mounted depth charge racks and a forward-firing Hedgehog. Their job was essential to the safety and success of U.S. naval operations during World War II and the Korean War. These minesweepers were also employed as patrol and escort vessels.

The USS Hazard (AM-240) is a museum ship on dry land in Omaha, Nebraska.

See also