A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping.
The Admirable class was one of the largest and most successful classes of minesweepers ordered by the United States Navy during World War II. Typically, minesweepers detected and removed naval mines before the rest of the fleet arrived, thereby ensuring safe passage for the larger ships. They were also charged with anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties with rear-mounted depth charge racks and a forward-firing Hedgehog antisubmarine mortar. Their job was essential to the safety and success of U.S. naval operations during World War II and the Korean War. These minesweepers were also employed as patrol vessel and convoy escorts.
USS Tide (AM-125) was an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
Caracara (AMc-40), an Accentor-class minesweeper placed in service by the U.S. Navy for use during World War II. The vessel was named after the Caracara, a large South American bird of prey.
USS Oriole (AM-7) was a Lapwing-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
USS Woodcock (AM-14) was an Lapwing-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
USS Turaco (AMc-55), an Accentor class coastal minesweeper was named by the U.S. Navy after the turaco. The ship was laid down on 17 January 1941 by the Snow Shipyards of Rockland, Maine, launched on 28 July 1941, and was decommissioned on 30 November 1945.
USS Teal (AM-23/AVP-5) was a Lapwing-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the task of removing naval mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. The ship entered service in 1918, was converted into a seaplane tender in the 1920s and took part in World War II, serving primarily in Alaskan waters. Following the war, the ship was decommissioned and sold in 1948. Teal was named after the teal, any of several small, short-necked, river ducks common to Europe and the Americas.
USS Brant (AM-24) was a Lapwing-class minesweeper in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named by the U.S. Navy for the brant, a small goose.
USS Marabout (AMc-50) was an Accentor-class coastal minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
USS Brambling (AMS-42/YMS-109) was a YMS-1-class auxiliary motor minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines from water that had been placed there to prevent ships from passing.
USS Siskin (AMS-58/YMS-425) was a YMS-1-class minesweeper of the YMS-135 subclass built for the United States Navy during World War II. She is the only U.S. Navy ship to be named for the siskin.
USS Sussex (SP-685) was a commercial fishing freighter acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She served as a minesweeper on the U.S. East Coast through the war and was sold after the World War I Armistice.
Note: This ship should not be confused with two other World War I-era ships named USS Mystery.
The first USS Comber (SP-344) was a United States Navy minesweeper in commission from 1917 to 1919.
USS Whitecap (SP-340) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1919.
The first USS Ibis (SP-3051), also listed as USS Ibis (ID-3051), was a United States Navy minesweeper in commission from 1918 to 1919.
The first USS Gallup (SP-694), ex-Annie E. Gallup, was a United States Navy minesweeper commissioned in 1917 and lost in 1918.
The first USS Tern (SP-871) was a United States Navy patrol vessel in commission from 1917 to 1918.
USS Rogday (ID-3538) was a United States Navy icebreaker and cargo ship in commission from 1918 to 1919.
United States