USS Peacock (MSC-198)

USS Peacock (MSC-198) was an "Falcon"-class coastal minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for clearing coastal minefields.

"Peacock" was laid down, 29 January 1953 as AMS-198 by the Harbor Boat Building Co., Terminal Island, California. It was launched, 19 June 1954; reclassified as a coastal minesweeper, MSC-198, 7 February 1955; commissioned USS "Peacock" (MSC 198), 16 March 1955; struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1975; and, disposed of through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for scrap, 1 September 1976.

pecifications

Coastal minesweeper nonmagnetic construction, wooden hull and stainless steel, aluminum, and bronze engine and hull fittings. Fitted with AN/UQS-1B sonar for mine hunting operations.

An interesting feature of the "Peacock" was her non-magnetic construction, including all-wooden hull and stainless steel, aluminium and bronze engine and hull fittings. This unique construction rendered the ship safe from magnetic mines and was the reason for her very high initial cost of approximately $3,500.000.

Pacific Ocean operations

Upon completion of fitting out, the "Peacock" conducted training and minesweeping exercises along the California coast until 4 February 1956, when she departed for her first deployment to the Far East.

Vietnam operations

While overseas, "Peacock" participated in several joint exercises with Allied navies, participated in Operation Market Time off Viet Nam and made port calls in the Far East. She has remained overseas since her first deployment and has continued in the same pattern as her first deployment into 1970. Peacock was a coastal minesweeper capable of sweeping both moored and bottom sea mines of either contact or influence variety. The ship was the first of her class to be assigned to the U.S.7th Fleet, and was homeported in Sasebo, Japan since 1956.

Support during Lebanon and Taiwan crises

"Peacock" took part in the General emergency operations during the Lebanon emergency in the summer of 1958, and patrolled the Formosa Straits during the Taiwan crisis in the fall of 1958. As part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, "Peacock" stood ready and able at all times to do her part in maintaining the freedom of the seas.

Far East tours and operations

Since her arrival in the Far East, homeported in Sasebo, Japan, "Peacock" traveled to such places as Hong Kong, Okinawa, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea and the Ryukyu Islands, as well as numerous ports-of-call in Japan. She has regularly participated in Mine Exercises with the Navies of Japan, Korea, Nationalist China and the Republic of the Philippines. "Peacock" played an active role in Market Time Patrol off the coast line of Vietnam throughout the Vietnam War. Lt. Michael A. McDevitt served onboard as commanding officer from October 1968 to April 1971. He is the only commanding officer who remained aboard after making Lcdr, which he pinned on in Subic Bay, January 1971.

Decommissioning

"Peacock" was the last of the Sasebo-based MSC's to depart Japan headed for Long Beach, California, for decommissioning and sailed "unaccompanied" from Sasebo to Long Beach, taking 55 days. "Peacock" was struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1975 and disposed of through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for scrap, 1 September 1976.

Military awards and honors

Her crew was eligible for the following medals and ribbons:
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3)
* Combat Action Ribbon (1)
* Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation for Gallantry (4)
* Vietnam Service Medal (8)

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Minesweeper

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/05198.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Peacock (MSC 198) - ex-AMS-198]