Agile-class minesweeper

Last updated
USS Inflict (MSO-456).jpg
USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators
Preceded by Acme class Hawk class
Subclassesships built for FMS
Cost US$ 9 million (1955) [1] (equivalent to US$79.92 million in 2023) [2] per unit
Built1951–1957
In service1953–2025
Completed93
Cancelled1
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 &
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.

Contents

There is some confusion on how to name this class. [3] 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. [4]

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. [5]

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. [6]

On July 1st, 2025, the last Agile-class minesweeper, ROCS Yung Yang retired from Taiwan Navy service. [7] [8] [9]

Construction and disposition

Ship NameHull No.BuilderCommission–
Decommission		FateLink
Agile 421Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1956–1972Sold for scrap 1980
Aggressive 422Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1953–1971Sold for scrap 1980
Avenge 423Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1954-1970Destroyed by fire, sold for scrapping 1969
Bold 424 Norfolk Naval Shipyard 1953-1971Sold for scrap 1981
Bulwark 425 Norfolk Naval Shipyard 1953-1971Sold for scrap 1980
Conflict 426 Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California 1954-1973Sold for scrap 1973
Constant 427Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California 1954-1992Sold for scrap 2001
Dash 428 Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Detector 429Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1953-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Direct 430Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York 1954-1982Sold for scrap 1984
Dominant 431Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York 1954-1982Sold 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 1953-1991Scrapped 2002
Embattle 434Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California 1954-1972Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993.
Endurance 435J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1954-1972Sold 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 1955-1991Sold for scrap 2000
Esteem 438Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1955-1991Sold for scrap 2000
Excel 439 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1992Sold for scrap 2000
Exploit 440 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993Sold for scrap 2002
Exultant 441 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1993Sold for scrap 2002
Fearless 442 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Fidelity 443 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1989Sold 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 1955-1973Sunk after a fire
Fortify 446Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1954-1992Scrapped 2002
Guide 447Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington 1955-1972Sold for scrap 1973
Illusive 448Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1953-1990Sold for scrap 1993
Impervious 449Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1954-1991Scrapped 2002
Berneval 450Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1987Built for France, scrapped
Bir Hacheim 451Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1970
1970-1979		Built for France, transferred to Uruguay in 1970 and renamed Maldanado (MS 33), scrapped 1979
Garigliano 452Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1988Built for France, struck 1988
Alençon 453Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983Built for France, struck 1983
Dompaire 454Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1954-1983Built for France, struck 1983
Implicit 455Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-19941994 to Taiwan as Yung Yang (MSO-1306)
Inflict 456Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Loyalty 457Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972Sold for scrap 1973
Lucid 458 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970Sold for scrap 1976
Currently being restored by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum as a museum ship
Nimble 459 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970Sold for scrap 1981
Notable 460 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Observer 461 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1972Sold for scrap 1979
Pinnacle 462 Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana 1955-1970Sold 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 1954-1990Sold for scrap 1992
Prestige 465Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1958Grounded and sunk, 1958 in the Naruto Strait
Prime 466Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1970Sold for scrap 1976
Reaper 467Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California 1954-1972Sold for scrap 1976
Rival 468Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1954-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Sagacity 469Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1955-1970Grounded at Charleston, sold for scrap 1970.
Salute 470Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1955-1970Sold for scrap 1971
Skill 471Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut 1950-1970Sold for scrap 1979
Valor 472Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1954-1970Sold 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 1955-1972Sold for scrap 1979
Mytho 475Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1988Built for France, scrapped 1989
Cantho 476Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1987Built for France, struck 1987
Vinh Long 477Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1988Built for France, scrapped 1992
São Jorge 478Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Pico 479Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1974Built for Portugal; transferred to Belgium for spare parts, burned out in 1997, scrapped in 2011
Onversaagd 480Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1979Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979
Onbevreesd 481Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1988Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989
Onvervaard 482Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon 1955-1984Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984
Onverschrokken 483Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1955-1987Built for the Netherlands, converted to torpedo retriever Mercuur (A856) in 1973, decommissioned 1987 and preserved as museum ship in Vlissingen
Onvermoeid 484Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1955-1974Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975
Onverdroten 485Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1955-1984Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985
Graciosa 486Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Corvo 487Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 1955-1973Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973
Conquest 488J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-2020		1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307)
Gallant 489J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1994
1994-2013		1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308)
Leader 490J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington 1955-1991Sold 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 1956-1966Caught 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 1957-1971Sold for scrap 1978
Swerve 495Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1957-1971Sold for scrap 1978
Venture 496Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 1958-1971Sold for scrap 1978
MSO-497497Cancelled
Lågen 498Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1966
1966-1996		Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as Dufour (M 903), scrapped 2007
Namsen 499Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1955-1966
1966-1993		Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as De Brouwer (M 904), scrapped 2007
Berlaimont 500Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1956-1986Built for France, scrapped 1986
Origny 501Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1956-1983Built for France, converted to oceanographic research ship in 1962, reclassified A640 in 1974, struck 1985
Autun 502Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington 1956-1985Built for France, scrapped 1985
Artevelde 503 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1985Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985
Breydel 504 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1993Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006
Baccarat 505 Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington 1956-1993Built for France, struck 1993
Storione 506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1997Built for Italy, struck 1997
Salmone 506Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California 1956-1996Built for Italy, struck 1996
Narvik 512Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1988Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989
Ouistreham 513Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1994Built for France, struck 1994
Colmar 514Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin 1956-1976Built for France, scrapped 1985
Georges Truffaut 515Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1956-2000Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007
F. Bovesse 516Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1956-1993Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004
Sgombro 517Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1957-2000Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000
Squalo 518Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida 1957-2000Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000

References

  1. ↑ "Stats". 17 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Johnston, Louis; Williamson, Samuel H. (2023). "What Was the U.S. GDP Then?". MeasuringWorth . Retrieved November 30, 2023. United States Gross Domestic Product deflator figures follow the MeasuringWorth series.
  3. ↑ NavSource minesweeper class
  4. ↑ Paul H. Silverstone: US Warships since 1945. Allan Ltd., Shepperton, Surrey (UK) 1986, p. 127. ISBN   0711015988
  5. ↑ Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht USA. Bechtermünz Verlag, Augsburg (Germany) 1997, p. 609. ISBN   3860475762
  6. ↑ Terzibaschitsch, p. 609; http://www.allwoodships.com/MilitaryShips/MineWarfare/AM-421,Agile-Aggressive.htm Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ "海軍大岡、永陽艦除役 歷屆艦長不捨細數服役歷程 - 軍事". July 2025.
  8. ↑ "大岡軍艦ATF-554除役最後降旗典禮及最後身影/永陽軍艦MSO-1306最後身影(謝謝林老師Roger Lin提供)". YouTube . July 2025.
  9. ↑ "20250701-大岡（Atf-554)與永陽（Mso-1306）軍艦今天除役，感謝二艘軍艦捍衛國家，感謝木殼船上的鋼鐵人的保家衛國". YouTube . July 2025.
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