Agile-class minesweeper

	USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Class overview
Operators	United States Navy; French Navy; Italian Navy; Belgian Navy; Royal Norwegian Navy; Philippine Navy; Portuguese Navy; Republic of China Navy; Spanish Navy;
Succeeded by	Acme class
Subclasses	ships built for FMS
Cost	US$9 million (1955) per unit
Built	1951-1957
In service	1953 - present
Completed	93
Cancelled	1
Active	4
Preserved	2
General characteristics
Displacement	853 tons (full load)
Length	172 ft (52 m)
Beam	35 ft (11 m)
Draft	10 ft (3.0 m)
Propulsion	4 × Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, 2,280 bhp (1,800 kW); 2 × shafts; 2 × controllable pitch propellers;
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement	7 officers, 70 enlisted
Sensors and ; processing systems	AN/UQS-1 mine hunting sonar
Armament	1 Bofors 40 mm gun; 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) twin machine guns;

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[]

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[]

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[]

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]
	450	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1987	Built for France, scrapped	[29]
	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]
	452	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1988	Built for France, struck 1988	[31]
	453	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1954-1983	Built for France, struck 1983	[32]
	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]
	475	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1988	Built for France, scrapped 1989	[52]
	476	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1987	Built for France, struck 1987	[53]
	477	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1988	Built for France, scrapped 1992	[54]
	478	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1955-1973	Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973	[55]
	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]
	480	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1979	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979	[57]
	481	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1988	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989	[58]
	482	Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon	1955-1984	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984	[59]
	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]
	484	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1955-1974	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975	[61]
)	485	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1955-1984	Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985	[62]
	486	Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin	1955-1973	Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973	[63]
	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
	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]
	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]
	500	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1956-1986	Built for France, scrapped 1986	[75]
	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]
	502	Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington	1956-1985	Built for France, scrapped 1985	[77]
	503	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1985	Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985	[78]
	504	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1993	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006	[79]
	505	Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington	1956-1993	Built for France, struck 1993	[80]
	506	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1956-1997	Built for Italy, struck 1997	[81]
	506	Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California	1956-1996	Built for Italy, struck 1996	[82]
	512	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1988	Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989	[83]
	513	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1994	Built for France, struck 1994	[84]
	514	Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin	1956-1976	Built for France, scrapped 1985	[85]
	515	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1956-2000	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007	[86]
	516	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1956-1993	Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004	[87]
	517	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1957-2000	Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000	[88]
	518	Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida	1957-2000	Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000	[89]

References[]

^ http://stocktonhistoricalmaritimemuseum.org/uss-lucid/stats/
^ navsource.org minesweeper class
^ Paul H. Silverstone: US Warships since 1945. Allan Ltd., Shepperton, Surrey (UK) 1986, p. 127. ISBN 0711015988
^ Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht USA. Bechtermünz Verlag, Augsburg (Germany) 1997, p. 609. ISBN 3860475762
^ Terzibaschitsch, p. 609; http://www.allwoodships.com/MilitaryShips/MineWarfare/AM-421,Agile-Aggressive.htm Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine

External links[]

[1] ttp://stocktonhistoricalmaritimemuseum.org/uss-lucid/stats/

[2] vsource.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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Class overview
USS Inflict (MSO-456)
Operators	United States Navy French Navy Italian Navy Belgian Navy Royal Norwegian Navy Philippine Navy Portuguese Navy Republic of China Navy Spanish Navy
Succeeded by	Acme class
Subclasses	ships built for FMS
Cost	US$9 million (1955)^[1] per unit
Built	1951-1957
In service	1953 - present
Completed	93
Cancelled	1
Active	4
Preserved	2
General characteristics
Displacement	853 tons (full load)
Length	172 ft (52 m)
Beam	35 ft (11 m)
Draft	10 ft (3.0 m)
Propulsion	4 × Four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, 2,280 bhp (1,800 kW) 2 × shafts 2 × controllable pitch propellers
Speed	14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement	7 officers, 70 enlisted
Sensors and processing systems	AN/UQS-1 mine hunting sonar
Armament	1 Bofors 40 mm gun 2 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) twin machine guns

hide Agile-class minesweepers
United States Navy	Agile Aggressive Avenge Bold Bulwark Conflict Conquest Dash Detector Direct Dominant Dynamic Embattle Endurance Energy Engage Enhance Esteem Excel Exploit Exultant Fearless Fidelity Firm Force Fortify Gallant Guide Illusive Impervious Implicit Inflict Leader Loyalty Lucid Nimble Notable Observer Persistent Pinnacle Pivot Pledge Pluck Prestige Prime Reaper Rival Sagacity Salute Skill Stalwart Sturdy Swerve Valor Venture Vigor Vital
Belgian Navy
French Navy
Italian Navy
Royal Netherlands Navy
Royal Norwegian Navy
Philippine Navy	Davao del Norte Davao del Sur
Portuguese Navy
Spanish Navy	Guadalete Guadalmedina Guadalquivir Guadiana
Republic of China Navy	Yung Ku Yung Teh Yung Tzu Yung Yang
National Navy of Uruguay
List of mine warfare vessels of the United States Navy