Agile-class minesweeper

USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators:  United States Navy
 French Navy
 Marina Militare
 Belgian Navy
 Royal Norwegian Navy
 Philippine Navy
 Portuguese Navy
 Republic of China Navy
 Spanish Navy
Succeeded by: Acme-class
Subclasses: ships built for FMS
Cost: 9,000,000 $ (1955) [1]
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:1 Bofors 40 mm gun
2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) twin machine guns

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.

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 40hp 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
Agile 421Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1956–1972Sold for scrap 1980
Aggressive 422Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1953–1971Sold for scrap 1980
Avenge 423Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut1954-1970Destroyed by fire, sold for scrapping 1969
Bold 424Norfolk Naval Shipyard1953-1971Sold for scrap 1981
Bulwark 425Norfolk Naval Shipyard1953-1971Sold for scrap 1980
Conflict 426Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California1954-1973Sold for scrap 1973
Constant 427Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California1954-1992Sold for scrap 2001
Dash 428Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Detector 429Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Direct 430Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York1954-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Dominant 431Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York1954-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Dynamic 432Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1953-1971
1971-1998
1971 to Spain as Guadalete (M41) 1971, decommissioned 1998
Engage 433Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1953-1991 Scrapped 2002
Embattle 434Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1954-1972 Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993.
Endurance 435J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1973
Energy 436J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1954-1972
1972-1977
1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Norte (PM-91)
Sold for scrap 1977
Enhance 437Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 2000
Esteem 438Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 2000
Excel 439Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1992 Sold for scrap 2000
Exploit 440Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993 Sold for scrap 2002
Exultant 441Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993 Sold for scrap 2002
Fearless 442Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992
Fidelity 443Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1989 Sold for scrap 1990
Firm 444J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1954-1972
1972-1977
1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Sur (PM-92), scrapped 1977
Force 445J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1973 Sunk after a fire
Fortify 446Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1954-1992 Scrapped 2002
Guide 447Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1973
Illusive 448Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1953-1990 Sold for scrap 1993
Impervious 449Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1954-1991 Scrapped 2002
Berneval450Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1987 Built for France, scrapped
Bir Hakeim451Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1970
1970-1979
Built for France, transferred to Uruguay in 1970 and renamed Maldanado (MS 33), scrapped 1979
Garigliano452Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1988 Built for France, struck 1988
Alençon453Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983 Built for France, struck 1983
Dompaire454Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983 Built for France, struck 1983
Implicit 455Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1994 Sold to Taiwan 1994
Inflict 456Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992
Loyalty 457Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1973
Lucid 458Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1976
Currently being restored by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum as a museum ship
Nimble 459Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1981
Notable 460Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1971
Observer 461Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1979
Pinnacle 462Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1978
Pivot 463Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1971
1974-1999
1974 to Spain as Guadalmedina (M42), scrapped 1999
Pluck 464Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992
Prestige 465Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1958 Grounded and sunk, 1958 in the Naruto Strait
Prime 466Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1970 Sold for scrap 1976
Reaper 467Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1976
Rival 468Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1954-1970 Sold for scrap 1971
Sagacity 469Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1955-1970 Grounded at Charleston, sold for scrap 1970.
Salute 470Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1971
Skill 471Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1950-1970 Sold for scrap 1979
Valor 472Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1954-1970 Sold for scrap 1971
Vigor 473Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1954-1972
1972-1999
1972 to Spain as Guadiana (M44), scrapped 1999.
Vital 474Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1979
My Tho475Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1988 Built for France, scrapped 1989
Can Tho476Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1987 Built for France, struck 1987
Vinh Long477Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1988 Built for France, scrapped 1992
São Jorge478Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Pico479Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1955-1974 Built for Portugal; transferred to Belgium for spare parts, burned out in 1997, scrapped in 2011
Onversaagd480Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1979 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979
Onbevreesd 481Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1988 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989
Onvervaard482Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon1955-1984 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984
Onverschrokken483Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1987 Built for the Netherlands, converted to torpedo retriever Mercuur (A856) in 1973, decommissioned 1987 and preserved as museum ship in Scheveningen
Onvermoeid484Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1974 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975
Onverdroten)485Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1955-1984 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985
Graciosa 486Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Corvo487Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Conquest 488J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-
1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307)
Gallant 489J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-
1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308)
Leader 490J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 1994
Persistent 491J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1956-1971
1971-2000
1971 to Spain as Guadalquivir (M43), scrapped
Pledge 492J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1956-1994
1994-
1994 to Taiwan Yung Teh (MSO-1309)
Stalwart 493Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1956-1966 Caught fire pier side at San Juan, Puerto Rico, sunk 1966. Later raised and sunk as an artificial reef.
Sturdy 494Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1957-1971 Sold for scrap 1978
Swerve 495Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1957-1971 Sold for scrap 1978
Venture 496Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida1958-1971 Sold 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, Washington1956-1986 Built for France, scrapped 1986
Origny501Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1956-1983 Built for France, converted to oceanographic research ship in 1962, reclassified A640 in 1974, struck 1985
Autun502Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington1956-1985 Built for France, scrapped 1985
Artevelde503Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1985 Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985
Breydel504Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1993 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006
Baccarat505Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington1956-1993 Built for France, struck 1993
Storione 506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1997 Built for Italy, struck 1997
Salmone 506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1996 Built for Italy, struck 1996
Narvik512Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1988 Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989
Ouistreham513Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1994 Built for France, struck 1994
Colmar514Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin1956-1976 Built for France, scrapped 1985
Georges Truffaut515 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1956-2000 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007
F. Bovesse516 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1956-1993 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004
Sgombro517 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1957-2000 Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000
Squalo518 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida1957-2000 Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000

References

  1. http://stocktonhistoricalmaritimemuseum.org/uss-lucid/stats/
  2. http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02idx.htm
  3. Paul H. Silverstone: US Warships since 1945. Allan Ltd., Shepperton, Surrey (UK) 1986, p. 127. ISBN 0711015988
  4. Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seeamacht 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

External links

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