Agile-class minesweeper

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.

USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators:	United States Navy  French Navy  Italian Navy  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:	US$9 million (1955)[1] per unit
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

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 40 hp 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	421	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1956–1972	Sold for scrap 1980
Aggressive	422	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1953–1971	Sold for scrap 1980
Avenge	423	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1954-1970	Destroyed by fire, sold for scrapping 1969
Bold	424	Norfolk Naval Shipyard	1953-1971	Sold for scrap 1981
Bulwark	425	Norfolk Naval Shipyard	1953-1971	Sold for scrap 1980
Conflict	426	Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California	1954-1973	Sold for scrap 1973
Constant	427	Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California	1954-1992	Sold for scrap 2001
Dash	428	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1953-1982	Sold for scrap 1984
Detector	429	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1953-1982	Sold for scrap 1984
Direct	430	Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York	1954-1982	Sold for scrap 1984
Dominant	431	Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York	1954-1982	Sold for scrap 1984
Dynamic	432	Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California	1953-1971 1971-1998	1971 to Spain as Guadalete (M41) 1971, decommissioned 1998
Engage	433	Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California	1953-1991	Scrapped 2002
Embattle	434	Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California	1954-1972	Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993.
Endurance	435	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1954-1972	Sold for scrap 1973
Energy	436	J. 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	437	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1955-1991	Sold for scrap 2000
Esteem	438	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1955-1991	Sold for scrap 2000
Excel	439	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1992	Sold for scrap 2000
Exploit	440	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1954-1993	Sold for scrap 2002
Exultant	441	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1954-1993	Sold for scrap 2002
Fearless	442	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1954-1990	Sold for scrap 1992
Fidelity	443	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1989	Sold for scrap 1990
Firm	444	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1954-1972 1972-1977	1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Sur (PM-92), scrapped 1977
Force	445	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1955-1973	Sunk after a fire
Fortify	446	Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington	1954-1992	Scrapped 2002
Guide	447	Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington	1955-1972	Sold for scrap 1973
Illusive	448	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1953-1990	Sold for scrap 1993
Impervious	449	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1954-1991	Scrapped 2002
Berneval	450	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1987	Built for France, scrapped
Bir Hakeim	451	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1970 1970-1979	Built for France, transferred to Uruguay in 1970 and renamed Maldanado (MS 33), scrapped 1979
Garigliano	452	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1988	Built for France, struck 1988
Alençon	453	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1983	Built for France, struck 1983
Dompaire	454	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1983	Built for France, struck 1983
Implicit	455	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1994	Sold to Taiwan 1994
Inflict	456	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1990	Sold for scrap 1992
Loyalty	457	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1972	Sold for scrap 1973
Lucid	458	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1970	Sold for scrap 1976 Currently being restored by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum as a museum ship
Nimble	459	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1970	Sold for scrap 1981
Notable	460	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1970	Sold for scrap 1971
Observer	461	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1972	Sold for scrap 1979
Pinnacle	462	Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana	1955-1970	Sold for scrap 1978
Pivot	463	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1971 1974-1999	1974 to Spain as Guadalmedina (M42), scrapped 1999
Pluck	464	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1990	Sold for scrap 1992
Prestige	465	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1958	Grounded and sunk, 1958 in the Naruto Strait
Prime	466	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1970	Sold for scrap 1976
Reaper	467	Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California	1954-1972	Sold for scrap 1976
Rival	468	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1954-1970	Sold for scrap 1971
Sagacity	469	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1955-1970	Grounded at Charleston, sold for scrap 1970.
Salute	470	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1955-1970	Sold for scrap 1971
Skill	471	Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut	1950-1970	Sold for scrap 1979
Valor	472	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1954-1970	Sold for scrap 1971
Vigor	473	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1954-1972 1972-1999	1972 to Spain as Guadiana (M44), scrapped 1999.
Vital	474	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1955-1972	Sold for scrap 1979
My Tho	475	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1988	Built for France, scrapped 1989
Can Tho	476	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1987	Built for France, struck 1987
Vinh Long	477	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1988	Built for France, scrapped 1992
São Jorge	478	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1973	Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Pico	479	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1974	Built for Portugal; transferred to Belgium for spare parts, burned out in 1997, scrapped in 2011
Onversaagd	480	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1979	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979
Onbevreesd	481	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1988	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989
Onvervaard	482	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1984	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984
Onverschrokken	483	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1955-1987	Built for the Netherlands, converted to torpedo retriever Mercuur (A856) in 1973, decommissioned 1987 and preserved as museum ship in Vlissingen
Onvermoeid	484	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1955-1974	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975
Onverdroten)	485	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1955-1984	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985
Graciosa	486	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1955-1973	Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Corvo	487	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1955-1973	Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Conquest	488	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1955-1994 1994-2020	1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307)
Gallant	489	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1955-1994 1994-2013	1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308)
Leader	490	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1955-1991	Sold for scrap 1994
Persistent	491	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1956-1971 1971-2000	1971 to Spain as Guadalquivir (M43), scrapped
Pledge	492	J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington	1956-1994 1994-	1994 to Taiwan Yung Teh (MSO-1309)
Stalwart	493	Broward 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	494	Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida	1957-1971	Sold for scrap 1978
Swerve	495	Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida	1957-1971	Sold for scrap 1978
Venture	496	Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida	1958-1971	Sold for scrap 1978
MSO-497	497	Cancelled
Lågen	498	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1966 1966-1996	Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as Dufour (M 903), scrapped 2007
Namsen	499	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1966 1966-1993	Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as De Brouwer (M 904), scrapped 2007
Berlaimont	500	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1956-1986	Built for France, scrapped 1986
Origny	501	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1956-1983	Built for France, converted to oceanographic research ship in 1962, reclassified A640 in 1974, struck 1985
Autun	502	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1956-1985	Built for France, scrapped 1985
Artevelde	503	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1985	Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985
Breydel	504	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1993	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006
Baccarat	505	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1993	Built for France, struck 1993
Storione	506	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1956-1997	Built for Italy, struck 1997
Salmone	506	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1956-1996	Built for Italy, struck 1996
Narvik	512	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1988	Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989
Ouistreham	513	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1994	Built for France, struck 1994
Colmar	514	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1976	Built for France, scrapped 1985
Georges Truffaut	515	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1956-2000	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007
F. Bovesse	516	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1956-1993	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004
Sgombro	517	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1957-2000	Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000
Squalo	518	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1957-2000	Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000

References

1. http://stocktonhistoricalmaritimemuseum.org/uss-lucid/stats/
2. navsource.org minesweeper class
3. Paul H. Silverstone: US Warships since 1945. Allan Ltd., Shepperton, Surrey (UK) 1986, p. 127. ISBN 0711015988
4. Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht 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 Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine

External links

• FAS - MSO-422 class
• GlobalSecurity - MSO-422 class