USS Peregrine (AM-373)

USS "Peregrine" (AM-373) was an acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

"Peregrine" was named after the peregrine, a swift and powerful falcon. "Peregrine" was laid down by the Savannah Machine and Foundry Co., Savannah, Georgia, 24 October 1944; launched 17 February 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Ethel K. Adams; and commissioned 27 September 1945, Comdr. Carl R. Cunningham, Jr. in command.

East Coast operations

After fitting out at the Charleston Navy Yard, Charleston, South Carolina, and shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, "Peregrine" became school ship at the Naval Mine Warfare School, Yorktown, Virginia. From 1945 to 1951 she conducted daily minesweeping operations in Yorktown, Virginia, Charleston, South Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia, and also conducted tests on anti-roll gear, and other tests of an experimental nature. "Peregrine" spent most of the years from 1951 to 1955 operating out of Norfolk with cruises as far south as Balboa, Panama Canal Zone and as far north as Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland. On 7 February 1955 she became MSF-373. On 9 September 1955 she departed Key West, Florida, for Port Lyautey, North Africa. She operated off Casablanca and called at Gibraltar before sailing for Bermuda and Key West, Florida, arriving at that homeport 8 December. From 1955 to 1960 "Peregrine" operated out of Key West, Florida, as far south as Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, and as far north as New York City. On 24 June "Peregrine" departed for special operations near Saint John's harbor, New Brunswick, Canada. "Peregrine" departed the Key West, Florida area again 31 July 1961 en route to Argentia returning 5 October. During November 1962, while serving under ComServLant, "Peregrine" escorted USS|Oxford|AG-159|6 in patrol off Havana, Cuba, during the Cuban Missile Crisis. During 1963 "Peregrine" was involved in a mapping project from Bermuda to Argentia and Halifax, Nova Scotia, during which time she did not see her homeport for five months.

Reclassification to Type AG

On 25 February 1964 the ship’s designation was changed from Experimental Fleet Mine Sweeper (EMSF-373) to general auxiliary (AG-176). Her new designator reflected her operational task of full time testing and evaluating of experimental equipment prior to incorporation of the equipment into other ships of the fleet.

Arctic operations

In February 1965 "Peregrine" departed Key West, Florida, for a South Atlantic Ocean cruise to conduct independent project operations. After a return to Key West, "Peregrine" entered Rosyth, Scotland, 20 May. On 27 May "Peregrine" gained her "Blue Nose" as she crossed the Arctic Circle. For most of the rest of the year "Peregrine" participated in classified oceanographic operations in the Norwegian Sea. She visited Bremerhaven, Germany, 21–25 October, returning to Key West, Florida 10 November. In early 1966 "Peregrine" participated in the testing of an experimental oceanographic survey method in Bermuda operating areas. In late 1966 "Peregrine" was deployed to the North Atlantic Ocean on special operations, operating out of Naval Station Argentia, Newfoundland. On 1 March 1967 "Peregrine" got underway from Key West, Florida, for the Panama Canal which she transited 5–6 March, reaching her new homeport of San Francisco, California, 16 March. She departed San Francisco 25 March, reaching Pearl Harbor 1 April. She departed 4 April for Yokosuka, Japan, where she conducted project operations. September and October were spent conducting operations out of Midway. After further operations out of Hawaii, the ship returned to San Francisco, California 28 November.

Decommissioning

"Peregrine" decommissioned 31 January 1969. She was struck from the Navy List 1 February 1969.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02373.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - "Peregrine" (AG 176) - ex-EMSF-373 - ex-MSF-373 - ex-AM-373]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5384.html USS "Peregrine" (AM 373)]