- USS Partridge (AM-16)
USS "Partridge" (AM-16) was an "Lapwing"-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."Partridge" was named after the
partridge , any of variousgallinaceous birds, such as theruffed grouse orbob-white quail , found inNorth America . "Partridge" was laid down14 May 1918 by the Chester SB Co.,Chester, Pennsylvania : launched15 October 1918 ; sponsored by Miss C. H. McCay; commissioned17 June 1919 , Lt. (j.g.) W. K. Bigger in command.Post-World War I operations
Completed too late to participate in
World War I , "Partridge" operated in thePacific Ocean until returning to theAtlantic Ocean in June1941 . Converted to an ocean-going tug, "Partridge" was reclassified AT-138 on1 June 1942 . The tug participated in rescue and towing duties along the eastern seaboard and in theCaribbean , making an important contribution to saving lives and ships, until early May1944 .World War II operations
Reclassified ATO-138 on
15 May 1944 , "Partridge" was ordered toEngland to assist in preparing for the cominginvasion of Normandy . The ship remained inEngland until10 June , when she was ordered to sail for the beachhead.En route, the veteran minesweeper was hit by a
torpedo from a GermanE-Boat at 0200 on11 June and sank shortly after. Torpedoed by German motor torpedo boats off Normandy in position 49º30'N, 00º50'W at 0200 hours on 11 June 1944, she sank some 35 minutes later."Partridge" was struck from the
Naval Vessel Register on29 July 1944 .References
See also
*
List of United States Navy ships
*World War I
*World War II
*Minesweeper (ship)
*Minesweeping
*Tugboat External links
* [http://www.usspartridge.com usspartridge.com]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p2/partridge-i.htm Partridge]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5169.html USS Partridge (AM 16)]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=225 uboat.net - Allied Warships - Lapwing class Minesweepers]
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