USS Swallow (AM-65)

USS "Swallow" (AM-65) was an "Auk"-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

"Swallow" was the second of three U.S. Navy ships named after the swallow, which is any of numerous small, long-winged birds noted for their graceful flight and regular migrations. The second "Swallow" to be so named by the Navy, was laid down on 19 July 1941 at Alameda, California, by the General Engineering & Drydock Co.; launched on 6 May 1942; and commissioned on 14 January 1943.

World War II Pacific operations

"Swallow" completed fitting out at San Francisco, California, and, on 2 March, got underway for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived on the 13th. After almost a month of exercises in Hawaiian waters, she stood out of Pearl Harbor for the Central Pacific. On 7 May, she reached Ebon Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The minesweeper remained in the Marshalls until 24 May, when she sailed for New Caledonia. She entered the harbor at Noumea on 30 May. For the remainder of the year, she escorted convoys steaming among the various American bases in the South Pacific. During that period, she made several visits to Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands, and voyaged once each to Efate and Fiji. On 17 December 1943, the minesweeper set out upon her first voyage to the Solomon Islands. She arrived in Purvis Bay, Florida Island, on 3 January 1944. Until April, she escorted supply echelons to and between the Solomon Islands, first concentrating on Guadalcanal, and then, as the American forces began to climb the Solomons ladder, branched out to the other islands, notably to the Russell Island subgroup and to Bougainville. She also periodically made voyages back to Noumea and Espiritu Santo. She underwent repairs there in April and returned to the Solomons on 10 May. By late May, she was operating in the vicinity of Tassafaronga, whence she departed on 4 June. Swallow reached Kwajalein Atoll on 8 June, joined Task Force 53, refueled, and got underway again on the 12th. The Southern Attack Force, otherwise known as Task Force (TF) 53, was assigned the job of retaking Guam during the Marianas operation. Originally the Guam assault was to have come several days after that upon Saipan. However, the invasion of the island was delayed by the Battle of the Philippine Sea and by the realization that additional troops would be needed for the operation. Thus, TF 53 steamed around in the ocean 150 to 300 miles east of Saipan until 25 June when Admiral Spruance ordered the bulk of it to Eniwetok to await additional forces from Hawaii. "Swallow" arrived in Eniwetok lagoon three days later. She remained at Eniwetok until 17 July, when the task force sortied for Guam. Arriving off Apra Harbor on the 21st, "Swallow" took up her screening station and, for almost two months, screened ships and patrolled in the vicinity. On 3 September, she joined the escort of a convoy bound for Eniwetok. She arrived there on the 9th and sailed for Pearl Harbor two days later. She spent the night of 21 September/22 September at Pearl Harbor; then continued on to San Francisco, California, where she arrived on the 30th.

West Coast operations

She immediately commenced overhaul at the General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., Alameda, California, Swallow completed overhaul and trials a few days before Christmas, departed San Francisco, California on 22 December, and reached San Diego, California, on Christmas Eve. For a little more than a month, the minesweeper operated out of San Diego, California.

Second World War II Pacific operations

On 1 February 1945, "Swallow" headed back to the western Pacific. She spent ten days, 9 to 19 February, conducting exercises in Hawaiian waters in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. On the 19th, "Swallow" stood out of Pearl Harbor and joined the screen of a convoy bound for Eniwetok. She entered the lagoon on 2 March and headed for the Marianas the following day. Following a brief stop at Saipan on the 6th, the minesweeper continued on to Ulithi, where she trained in preparation for the invasion of Okinawa. On 19 March, "Swallow" and the rest of Task Group 52.3 sortied from Ulithi lagoon. Five days later, she arrived off Okinawa and commenced a week of mine-sweeping operations to clear the approach to the beaches for landing ships and craft. Each night she retired to a relatively safe area far offshore. On 1 April, when the assault waves rolled ashore, "Swallow" shifted from minesweeping duties to antisubmarine patrols and, but for two runs to Kerama Retto for supplies, continued that duty until 22 April.

Sinking by kamikaze attack

At 1858 on that day, a Japanese kamikaze suicide plane swooped down out of heavy clouds and crashed into "Swallow's" starboard side, amidships, just above the waterline. Both engine rooms were flooded, and the minesweeper immediately took a 45° list to starboard. The order to abandon ship was given at 1901. Three minutes later, she capsized and sank in 85 fathoms of water.

Delisting

Swallow's name was struck from the Navy list on 2 June 1945. Twelve years later, on 10 July 1957, the Secretary of the Navy authorized the donation of her sunken hulk to the government of the Ryukyu Islands.

Awards

"Swallow" earned two battle stars during World War II.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Auk class minesweeper
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-65_Swallow.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-65 USS Swallow]