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Agile-class minesweeper

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Further information: Aggressive-class minesweeper
USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators
Succeeded byAcme class
Subclassesships built for FMS
CostUS$9 million (1955)[1] per unit
Built1951-1957
In service1953 - present
Completed93
Cancelled1
Active4
Preserved2
General characteristics
Displacement853 tons (full load)
Length172 ft (52 m)
Beam35 ft (11 m)
Draft10 ft (3.0 m)
Propulsion
  • 4 × Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, 2,280 bhp (1,800 kW)
  • 2 × shafts
  • 2 × controllable pitch propellers
Speed14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement7 officers, 70 enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems		AN/UQS-1 mine hunting sonar
Armament

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

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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

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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

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Ship Name Hull No. Builder Commission–
Decommission 		Fate Link
Agile 421 Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1956–1972 Sold for scrap 1980 [1]
Aggressive 422 Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1953–1971 Sold for scrap 1980 [2]
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 [3]
Bulwark 425 Norfolk Naval Shipyard 1953-1971 Sold for scrap 1980 [4]
Conflict 426 Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California 1954-1973 Sold for scrap 1973 [5]
Constant 427 Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California 1954-1992 Sold for scrap 2001 [6]
Dash 428 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1953-1982 Sold for scrap 1984 [7]
Detector 429 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1953-1982 Sold for scrap 1984 [8]
Direct 430 Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York 1954-1982 Sold for scrap 1984 [9]
Dominant 431 Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York 1954-1982 Sold for scrap 1984 [10]
Dynamic 432 Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1953-1971
1971-1998		 1971 to Spain as Guadalete (M41) 1971, decommissioned 1998 [11]
Engage 433 Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1953-1991 Scrapped 2002 [12]
Embattle 434 Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1954-1972 Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993. [13]
Endurance 435 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1973 [14]
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		 [15]
Enhance 437 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 2000 [16]
Esteem 438 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 2000 [17]
Excel 439 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1992 Sold for scrap 2000 [18]
Exploit 440 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993 Sold for scrap 2002 [19]
Exultant 441 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993 Sold for scrap 2002 [20]
Fearless 442 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992 [21]
Fidelity 443 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1989 Sold for scrap 1990 [22]
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 [23]
Force 445 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1973 Sunk after a fire [24]
Fortify 446 Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1954-1992 Scrapped 2002 [25]
Guide 447 Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1973 [26]
Illusive 448 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1953-1990 Sold for scrap 1993 [27]
Impervious 449 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1954-1991 Scrapped 2002 [28]
Berneval 450 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1987 Built for France, scrapped [29]
Bir Hacheim 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 [30]
Garigliano 452 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1988 Built for France, struck 1988 [31]
Alençon 453 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983 Built for France, struck 1983 [32]
Dompaire 454 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983 Built for France, struck 1983 [33]
Implicit 455 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1994 Sold to Taiwan 1994 [34]
Inflict 456 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992 [35]
Loyalty 457 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1973 [36]
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		 [37]
Nimble 459 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1981 [38]
Notable 460 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1971 [39]
Observer 461 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1979 [40]
Pinnacle 462 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970 Sold for scrap 1978 [41]
Pivot 463 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1971
1974-1999		 1974 to Spain as Guadalmedina (M42), scrapped 1999 [42]
Pluck 464 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1990 Sold for scrap 1992 [43]
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 [44]
Reaper 467 Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972 Sold for scrap 1976 [45]
Rival 468 Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1954-1970 Sold for scrap 1971 [46]
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 [47]
Skill 471 Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1950-1970 Sold for scrap 1979 [48]
Valor 472 Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1954-1970 Sold for scrap 1971 [49]
Vigor 473 Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1954-1972
1972-1999		 1972 to Spain as Guadiana (M44), scrapped 1999. [50]
Vital 474 Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1972 Sold for scrap 1979 [51]
Mytho 475 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1988 Built for France, scrapped 1989 [52]
Cantho 476 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1987 Built for France, struck 1987 [53]
Vinh Long 477 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1988 Built for France, scrapped 1992 [54]
São Jorge 478 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 [55]
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 [56]
Onversaagd 480 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1979 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979 [57]
Onbevreesd 481 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1988 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989 [58]
Onvervaard 482 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1984 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984 [59]
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 [60]
Onvermoeid 484 Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1955-1974 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975 [61]
Onverdroten) 485 Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1955-1984 Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985 [62]
Graciosa 486 Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 [63]
Corvo 487 Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973 Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 [64]
Conquest 488 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-2020		 1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307) [65]
Gallant 489 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-2013		 1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308) [66]
Leader 490 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1991 Sold for scrap 1994 [67]
Persistent 491 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1956-1971
1971-2000		 1971 to Spain as Guadalquivir (M43), scrapped [68]
Pledge 492 J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1956-1994
1994-		 1994 to Taiwan Yung Teh (MSO-1309) [69]
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 [70]
Swerve 495 Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1957-1971 Sold for scrap 1978 [71]
Venture 496 Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1958-1971 Sold for scrap 1978 [72]
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 [73]
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 [74]
Berlaimont 500 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1956-1986 Built for France, scrapped 1986 [75]
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 [76]
Autun 502 Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1956-1985 Built for France, scrapped 1985 [77]
Artevelde 503 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1985 Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985 [78]
Breydel 504 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1993 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006 [79]
Baccarat 505 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1993 Built for France, struck 1993 [80]
Storione 506 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1997 Built for Italy, struck 1997 [81]
Salmone 506 Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1996 Built for Italy, struck 1996 [82]
Narvik 512 Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1988 Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989 [83]
Ouistreham 513 Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1994 Built for France, struck 1994 [84]
Colmar 514 Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1976 Built for France, scrapped 1985 [85]
Georges Truffaut 515 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1956-2000 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007 [86]
F. Bovesse 516 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1956-1993 Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004 [87]
Sgombro 517 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1957-2000 Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000 [88]
Squalo 518 Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1957-2000 Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000 [89]

References

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  1. ^ "Stats". 17 July 2012.
  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
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