USS Frigate Bird (AMS-191)

USS Frigate Bird (AMS/MSC-191) was a Bluebird-class minesweeper acquired by the US Navy for clearing coastal minefields.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Frigate Bird.
Shrike (AMS-201), Redwing (MSC-200), Hummingbird (MSC-192), Frigate Bird (MSC-191), and Falcon (MS-190) at Charleston, South Carolina
History
United States
NameFrigate Bird
NamesakeFrigate bird
BuilderQuincy Adams Yacht Yard, Inc., Quincy, Massachusetts
Laid down20 July 1953
Launched24 October 1953
Commissioned13 January 1955
ReclassifiedCoastal Minesweeper, 7 February 1955
Stricken1 May 1976
Identification
FateTransferred to Indonesia, 1971
Indonesia
NamePulau Atang
Acquired1971
IdentificationHull symbol: M-721
FateSold for scrap, 1 September 1976
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeBluebird-class minesweeper
Displacement290 long tons (290 t)
Length144 ft 3 in (43.97 m)
Beam28 ft (8.5 m)
Draft9 ft (2.7 m)
Installed power
Propulsion2 × screws
Speed13 kn (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Complement39
Armament1 × twin 20 mm (0.8 in) Oerlikon cannons anti-aircraft (AA) mount

Construction

The second ship in the Navy to be named Frigate Bird, she was laid down 20 July 1953, as AMS-191; launched 24 October 1953, by Quincy Adams Yacht Yard, Inc., Quincy, Massachusetts; sponsored by Mrs. Matthew Gushing; and commissioned 13 January 1955. She was reclassified MSC-191 on 7 February 1955.[2]

East Coast operations

Joining Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet, at Charleston, South Carolina, 21 February 1955, Frigate Bird began a program of US East Coast and Caribbean training and experimental operations which continued through 1960. Among her activities were amphibious exercises on the beaches near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, surveying ocean currents, testing a new type of can buoy, and taking part in fleet exercises of various types. From July 1958, she was homeported at Little Creek, Virginia, and served at frequent intervals with the Operational Development Force.[2] This minesweeper also participated in the Cuban Blockade in 1962.

Decommissioning

Frigate Bird was transferred to Indonesia in 1971, and renamed Pulau Atang (M-721); struck from the US Naval Vessel Register, 1 May 1976; and, disposed of through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for scrap, 1 September 1976.[1]

Notes
    Citations
    1. Navsource.
    2. DANFS 2015.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

    • "Frigate Bird II (AMS-191)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Naval History and Heritage Command. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2017.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
    • "USS Frigate Bird (MSC-191)". Navsource.org. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
    • Photo gallery of USS Frigate Bird (AMS/MSC-191) at NavSource Naval History
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