USS Inflict (AM-456)

USS Inflict (AM-456/MSO-456) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Inflict.

History
United States
Builder: Wilmington Boat Works, Inc., Wilmington, California
Laid down: 29 October 1952
Launched: 16 October 1953
Commissioned: 11 May 1954
Decommissioned: 30 March 1990
Stricken: 23 May 1990
Homeport: Long Beach, California
Fate: sold, 1 December 1992
General characteristics
Class and type: Aggressive class minesweeper
Displacement: 620 tons
Length: 172 ft (52.43 m)
Beam: 36 ft (10.97 m)
Draught: 10 ft (3.05 m)
Propulsion: Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, two shafts, two controllable pitch propellers
Speed: 16 knots (30 km/h)
Complement: 72
Armament: one 40 mm mount

The second ship to be named Inflict by the Navy, AM-456 was launched 16 October 1953 by Wilmington Boat Works, Inc., Wilmington, California; sponsored by Mrs. Robert E. Carlson; and commissioned 11 May 1954, Lt. G. T. Ragon in command.

West Coast operations

After shakedown along the U.S. West Coast, Inflict engaged in sonar and minesweeping exercises until she departed Long Beach, California, 1 July for the western Pacific Ocean. Arriving Yokosuka, Japan 5 August she began operations with the navies of South Korea, Nationalist China, and Japan, In February 1955 she was reclassified MSO 456. Inflict returned to Long Beach 17 February 1956 and spent the remainder of the year on training operations.

Second Far East tour

In 1957, Inflict continued operations off California and Mexico, helping to maintain one of America's mighty antisubmarine warfare forces. The minesweeper sailed 3 January 1958 for duty in the Far East. She arrived there as a crisis loomed in Indonesia. The strength of this mighty armada made itself felt as the crisis diminished quickly without incident.

From 19 to 22 March 1958, Inflict participated in Exercise "Bulwark", the first bilateral exercise between Philippine and U.S. Navy. It took part in the third phase of the exercise, in waters off Corregidor and Caballo Islands.[1]

Inflict participated in joint exercises with the Thailand, and Chinese Nationalist navies before returning to Long Beach on 15 July.

West Coast exercises

For the next 20 months she trained in California waters. On 3 May 1960, Inflict sailed again for six months of joint operations with U.S. allies in Asia, and returned to Long Beach on 16 November.

In 1961, Inflict was engaged in minesweeping operations and midshipman training out of Long Beach.

She sailed 7 April 1962 for exercises in Hawaiian waters, and returning to Long Beach on 17 August.

In 1963, in addition to training in California waters, Inflict sailed on 28 October for joint countermeasure exercises with Canada, and returned to Long Beach on 3 December.

On 22 May 1964, she sailed for duty in the Far East, operating with the friendly navies, and during the summer was deployed for service along South Vietnam. Inflict returned to Long Beach on 7 December.

Supporting Market Time operations

She sailed for the Far East on 7 February 1966. Arriving Subic Bay on 28 March, she headed for her "Market Time" station on 5 April. There, she patrolled to prevent the infiltration of arms and men from North Vietnam to the south. She left the war zone on 1 November and returned to Long Beach on 13 December.

Inflict operated on the West Coast through mid-November 1967, when she again sailed for the Far East, with stops in Hawaii, Kwajalein, and Guam, arriving in Subic bay at the beginning of January 1968. She was on her "Market Time" patrol station when the USS Pueblo was captured in January and during the Tet Offensive in February 1968. She sailed from Subic Bay for the US West Coast in May and arrived in Long Beach in late June.

Overhauled in Dillingham Shipyards in Hawaii with the Force MSO445, Fortify MSO446, Impervious MSO 449: replaced Packard diesel engine with Waukasha L1616 turbo diesels. December 1971, following overhaul the 4 ships changed Home port to Guam and became MineFlot 1 under Commander Lloyd Boucher. The Inflict made several Market Time tours from 1971 thru 1973. More memorable events Oct.31 1972 Engineroom fire due to error by Lead EN on watch, failed to apply cooling water to clutch while engine idled. Disabled port shaft had to be towed to Subic Bay for repairs. A month later the Inflict with USS King DLG 10 and US Geodedic Survey team of 4 collected bottom samples and data in preparation for removing US mines from North Vietnamese Harbors etc. Leaving the area off Haiphong Harbor they encountered a convoy of over 40 Chinese Junks with the DPR of China flags. No real engagement as they were in International Waters. It was very eerie. December 1972 many crew members transferred January 1973 Peace Treaty signed with North Vietnam. The Inflict and Mine Flot 1 took part in the removal of US mines with the first Helicopter Minesweepers.

Persian Gulf service
USS Grapple tows USS Inflict, USS Fearless and USS Illusive.

On 6 September 1987, USS Grapple (ARS-53) left Little Creek, Virginia, with three minesweepers in tow: USS Fearless (MSO-442), USS Illusive (MSO-448), and Inflict. They transited the Suez Canal and arrived in the Gulf of Oman on 2 November 1987. The 9,000-nautical-mile (17,000 km) trip set a record for the longest distance three ships were towed by one.[2] While conducting minesweeping operations in the northern Persian Gulf, USS Inflict discovered and destroyed the first of ten underwater contact mines deployed in a field across the main shipping channel. These were the first underwater mines discovered and destroyed by the U.S. Navy since the Korean War. Inflict remained in the Persian Gulf to support Operation Earnest Will.

Decommissioning

Decommissioned on 30 March 1990 Inflict was stricken 23 May 1990. On 1 December 1992, the Navy sold the ship for $12,000 for scrap.

References
  1. Coast Defense Exercise Ends, by Bernardo De Leon Jr. Manila Times. 21 March 1958.
  2. Grapple ships history 1987
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