Welcome to Minesweeping Ships Unofficial Web Site

Minesweepers Chief Competent Conflict Defense Devastator Gladiator Hilarity Impeccable Incredible Shoveler Laertes Morecambe Bay Murchison

Welcome to Minesweeping Unofficial Web Site

This Site is Dedicated to all Men, Women, Ships, and Boats of Mine Warfare

Did you know that the first ship into Tokyo harbor was the minesweeper USS Revenge (AM-110)At the end of the war with Japan the first ship into Tokyo harbor was the minesweeper USS Revenge (AM-110)

Unfortunately the last ship to be sunk was also a minesweeper the USS Minivet (AM-371). The war with Japan officially ended on December 31, 1945. The Minivet was sunk on December 29, 1945; sweeping the Tsushima Straits off the island of Kyushu Japan.

For more on this and other historical minesweeper information contact the Naval Minewarfare Association at: http://www.navalminewarfareassociation.com/

Below is the US Navy Photo # 80-G-632291 from the National Archives of the USS Laertes on October 8, 1952 at Sasebo Japan with nine minesweepers and a harbor tug alongside.

Ships nested from left to right are:

Impeccable (AM-320)
Gladiator (AM-319)
Shoveler (AM-382)
Defense (AM-317)

Devastator (AM-318)
Laertes
Condor (AMS-5)
Kite (AMS-22)
Curlew (AMS-8)
Chatterer (AMS-40)
Wallacut (YTB-420).

Click on the Image Below to See Full View of Map From June 28, 1950

The aggression in Korea in 1950 made heavy demands on minesweeping forces
and as a result the U.S.S DEVASTATOR, in company with the U.S.S Chief (AM315), U.S.S COMPETENT (AM316) and U.S.S Defense (AM317) was called out of reserve and re-commissioned on February 29, 1952 in Long Beach, California. The above named ships were formed as Minesweeping Division Seventy-four and attached to the Mine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Below is a copy of the painting of the USS Pirate AM275 "Hidden Death at Wonsan" by Richard DeRosset

(Click on Photo to enlarge)

This painting will be used as the cover art on the forthcoming naval historical "Wooden Ships and Iron Men: The U.S. Navy's Coastal & Motor Minesweepers, 1941-1953.
By David Bruhn, Commander U.S. Navy (Ret)
Bruhn's book is dedicated to the "iron men" that have served since 1941 in wooden-hulled minesweepers, and particularly those sweep sailors, many of them reservists, who went in harm's way during World War II and the Korean War.

Click on the Name or Image Below to go to the ship's Web Page

If Your Minesweep or Boat is Not Below and You Would Like a Web Page or Contribute to a Page that is "Under Construction" Click Here.

ALL ERAS WELCOME and IT’S FREE, NO ADVERTISEMENTS

USS Chief (AM-315)