USS Palisade (AM-270)

USS Palisade (AM-270) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II. Initially serving in the Atlantic Ocean—part of the time as a weather ship—she was transferred to the Pacific Ocean in February 1945. The following May she was transferred to the Soviet Navy as T-279 and was reportedly sunk by mines off the coast of Korea in August.

Career

Palisade was laid down by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama, on 21 September 1942. She was launched 26 June 1943, sponsored by Mrs. W. C. Ellis, and commissioned 9 March 1944 with Lt. Comdr. W. H. Rothwell in command.

Following shakedown, Palisade conducted sweeping operations in Argentia, Newfoundland as part of MineRon 33 then was fitted out as a temporary weather ship. She patrolled in the North Atlantic in this capacity for the remainder of the year with occasional calls at east coast ports in the United States. In January 1945 she was refitted with minesweeping equipment and after overhaul in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and deployed to the Panama Canal Zone on 27 February.

Transiting the Panama Canal 8 March she proceeded to Seattle, Washington, where she prepared for transfer under Lend-Lease to the Soviet Navy. Palisade sailed for Kodiak, Alaska, 7 April then proceeded to Cold Bay, Alaska. The first weeks of May were spent in familiarization exercises for the benefit of the new crew.

Palisade decommissioned 21 May and was transferred to the Soviet Union. Palisade was named T-279 in the Soviet Navy. She is reported to have been sunk off Kham Island, Korea, 14/15 August by mines previously laid by U.S. aircraft.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• "Palisade". Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive. NavSource Online. http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02270.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-18.