USS Sprig (AM-384)

USS "Sprig" (AM-384) 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.

"Sprig" was named after the “Sprig,” an inland duck, common to the entire northern hemisphere; also known as sprigtail or pintail. It is a very distinct species and derives its name from the great prolongation and narrowness of the middle pair of tail-feathers, which is particularly noticeable in the male. "Sprig" was laid down on 15 February 1944 by the American Shipbuilding Co. at Lorain, Ohio; launched on 15 September 1944; sponsored by Miss Carol Pitrie; and commissioned on 4 April 1945, Lt. Thomas W. Cross in command.

East Coast operations

On 15 April, the minesweeper started down the St. Lawrence waterway from Cleveland, Ohio. After stops at Montreal, Quebec, and Halifax, she arrived at Boston on 5 May. There she executed her first minesweeping trials and had her sound gear and depth charge equipment removed. She put to sea on 16 July and reached Hampton Roads, Virginia, the next day. "Sprig" conducted shakedown training at Little Creek, Virginia, until 6 September when she got underway for the Pacific. She was in the Panama Canal Zone from 12 to 14 September; then headed via Acapulco, Mexico, to San Pedro, California, arriving there on the 24th.

Pacific Ocean operations

After almost two weeks on the U.S. West Coast, "Sprig" continued west on 6 October and made Pearl Harbor on the 20th. On the 31st, she sailed from Pearl Harbor bound for the western Pacific. She stopped briefly at Eniwetok and Saipan and made Wakayama, Japan, on 28 November.

For the next five months, "Sprig" participated in the major minesweeping operation conducted in the immediate postwar period. In December 1945, she swept mines in the Tsushima Strait. She conducted minesweeping practice and sweeping operations at Tachibana Wan, Kyūshū, in January 1946. "Sprig" moved to Shanghai, China, in February and returned to Sasebo, Japan, on 2 March. Later that month, the minesweeper began duty as courier ship, carrying mail and supplies to United States ships on station in the waters between Japan and Korea. In April, she herself took up one such station, relieving "Champion" (AM-314), then "Murrelet" (AM-372) later in the month. Her commanding officer served as Commander, CTU 96.6.3, until 26 April, supervising minesweeping operations at Saishu To, off the southern coast of Korea.

Reassignment to East Coast operations

On the 26th, she headed back to Sasebo and, on 1 May, got underway to return to the United States. She stopped at Pearl Harbor from 17 to 25 May and made San Pedro, California, on the 31st. On 7 June, she sailed south toward the Panama Canal as Officer in Tactical Command OTC of a unit composed of "PCE-843", "YMS-430", and "YMS-U2". She transited the canal and departed Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, on 20 June. On the 27th, she entered Charleston, South Carolina, and reported for duty to the Commander, Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet COMINLANT).

For the next eight years, "Sprig" served COMINLANT, sailing the length of the Atlantic seaboard and into the Caribbean at times. During this period, she was home ported at Charleston, South Carolina.

Decommissioning

In June 1954, "Sprig" was decommissioned and placed in reserve at Orange, Texas. On 7 February 1955, "Sprig" was reclassified a fleet minesweeper, MSF-384. After 18 years with the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, "Sprig's" name was struck from the Navy list on 1 July 1972. Her hulk was sold on 20 December 1973 to Southern Scrap Material Co., Ltd., of New Orleans, Louisiana, for scrapping.

Awards

"Sprig" received one battle star for World War II service.

Abbreviations used

* MSF - MineSweeper, Fleet
* CTU - Commander, Task Unit
* OTC - Officer in Tactical Command
* COMINLANT - Commander, Mine Forces, Atlantic

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Auk class minesweeper
* World War II
* Minesweeper (ship)
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02384.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Sprig (MSF 384) - ex-AM-384]
* [http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-384_Sprig.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-384 USS Sprig]