NAVYPEDIA

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
MSI1	Cove		Bellingham SY	2.1957	8.2.1958	11.1958	stricken 7.1971
MSI2	Cape		Bellingham SY	4.1957	5.4.1958	2.1959	research vessel 1970-1985, stricken 6.1992

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	197
Displacement full, t	232
Length, m	32.0 wl 33.5 oa
Breadth, m	7.00
Draught, m	2.40
No of shafts	1
Machinery	2 General Motors diesels
Power, h. p.	595
Max speed, kts	12.5
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	1000(9)
Armament	1 x 1 - 12.7/90, magnetic and mechanical minesweeping gear
Electronic equipment	radar
Complement	30

Project history

These inshore sweepers (MSI) were intended to replace the MCs. Design work began in 1955, one author describing them as an attempt to till the gap in shallow-water capability left by the deficiencies of the minesweeping boats (MSB). They were to carry MSB-size magnetic sweep gear and MSC-size moored sweep gear on a hull capable of limited ocean passages, and of overseas passage in an emergency - essentially the requirements levied on the original YMS of the Second World War. The advent of gas turbine generators permitted them to incorporate the basic sweeping capability of the MSC289 class in a much smaller hull. Of fourteen ships built, two were retained by the US Navy and the rest transferred (SCB 136 type). There were also five units of an improved Cove class (MSI 15 type), capable of mine-hunting as well as of sweeping. All were built in 1965-67 specifically for transfer abroad.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.