NAVYPEDIA

Support the project with paypal

HOME
FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MINE WARFARE SHIPS
BLUEBIRD coastal minesweepers (1953 - 1961)


Photo



Peacock

Ships


No Name Yard No Builder Laid down Launched Comm Fate
AMS121, 2.1955- MSC121 Bluebird   Mare Island N Yd, Vallejo 2.1952 11.5.1953 7.1953 stricken 1.1975
AMS122, 2.1955- MSC122 Cormorant   Mare Island N Yd, Vallejo 2.1952 8.6.1953 8.1953 stricken 3.1974
AMS190, 2.1955- MSC190 Falcon   Quincy Adams, Quincy 5.1953 21.9.1953 11.1954 to Indonesia 1971 (722 Pulau Aru)
AMS191, 2.1955- MSC191 Frigate Bird   Quincy Adams, Quincy 7.1953 24.10.1953 1.1955 to Indonesia 1971 (721 Pulau Antang)
MSC192 Hummingbird   Quincy Adams, Quincy 10.1953 25.12.1954 2.1955 to Indonesia 1971 (720 Pulau Impalasa)
MSC193 Jacana   Quincy Adams, Quincy 2.1954 25.2.1955 3.1955 to Indonesia 1971 (718 Pulau Aruan)
MSC194 Kingbird   Quincy Adams, Quincy 2.1954 21.5.1954 4.1955 stricken 7.1972
MSC195 Limpkin   Broward, Fort Lauderdale 4.1953 21.5.1954 3.1955 to Indonesia 1971 (719 Pulau Anjer)
MSC196 Meadowlark   Broward, Fort Lauderdale 5.1953 28.8.1954 5.1955 to Indonesia 1971 (717 Pulau Alor)
MSC197 Parrot   Broward, Fort Lauderdale 12.1953 27.11.1954 6.1955 stricken 8.1972
MSC198 Peacock   Harbor Boat, Terminal Island 1.1953 19.6.1954 3.1955 stricken 7.1975
MSC199 Phoebe   Harbor Boat, Terminal Island 2.1953 21.8.1954 4.1955 stricken 7.1975
AMS200, 2.1955- MSC200 Redwing   Tampa Marine 7.1953 29.4.1954 1.1955 to Spain 6.1959 (M29 Sil)
MSC201 Shrike   Tampa Marine 9.1953 21.7.1954 3.1955 stricken 7.1975
MSC202 Spoonbill   Tampa Marine 11.1953 3.8.1954 6.1955 to Spain 6.1959 (M28 Duero)
MSC203 Thrasher   Tampa Marine 4.1954 6.10.1954 8.1955 stricken 7.1975, to Singapore (Mercury)
MSC204 Thrush   Tampa Marine 5.1954 5.1.1955 11.1955 research vessel 7.1975
MSC205 Vireo   Bellingham SY 9.1953 30.4.1954 6.1955 stricken 7.1975, to Fiji (Kula)
MSC206 Warbler   Bellingham SY 10.1953 18.6.1954 7.1955 stricken 7.1975, to Fiji (Kiro)
MSC207 Whippoorwill   Bellingham SY 1.1954 13.8.1954 10.1955 to Singapore 7.1975 (Jupiter)
MSC208 Widgeon   Bellingham SY 5.1954 15.10.1954 11.1955 stricken 7.1973
MSC209 Woodpecker   Bellingham SY 6.1954 7.1.1955 2.1956 to Fiji 7.1976 (Kikau)
MSC289 Albatross   Tacoma BB 2.1959 26.3.1960 4.1961 stricken 4.1970
MSC290 Gannet   Tacoma BB 5.1959 26.5.1960 7.1961 stricken 4.1970


Technical data


Displacement standard, t

360
Displacement full, t

400
Length, m

42.1 wl 44.3 oa
Breadth, m

8.10
Draught, m

2.10
No of shafts

2
Machinery

MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 2 Packard diesels

MSC200 - 209, 289, 290: 2 General Motors 8-268A diesels
Power, h. p.

MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 1200

MSC200 - 209: 880

MSC289, 290: 1000
Max speed, kts

MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 13

MSC200 - 209: 12

MSC289, 290: 12.5
Fuel, t

diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)

2500(10)
Armament

1 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, acoustic, magnetic, mechanical minesweeping gear
Electronic equipment

SPS-53 radar, UQS-1 sonar
Complement

39


Graphics


<i>Peacock</i>
Peacock


Project history

 These ships were essentially versions of the Second World War YMS, initially for transfer abroad under the MDAP programme, and initially designated AMS (later MSC, for coastal). The original design did not show XMAP capability, and 'improved magnetic signature', but because of cost and time considerations, and extreme measures taken in AM design will not be used. Designs with both the new Packard (total 1200bhp) and a proven GM 8-268A (total 880bhp) diesel were prepared, the latter favoured for foreign customers. They were to be armed with a twin 20mm gun forward, compared to the 76mm/50 of the YMS and to the single 40mm of the MSO. Of 159 units of the original Bluebird (SCB 69) class launched from 1953 onwards all but twenty were transferred. They are often called the Adjutant class. Many more units were built abroad with US assistance, primarily to British designs. Where the US MSCs had wooden frames, the British used aluminium. All had controllable-pitch propellers for agility in minefields. Albatross (MSC289) and Gannet (MSC290) were the last US sweepers authorised until the MCMs of the 1980s (which may not in fact be built) and were slightly enlarged Bluebirds. Of 25 units built, only two were retained in US service. They introduced gas turbine generators for magnetic sweeping and modified gear-handling equipment.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.