USS Picket (ACM-8)

USS "Picket" (ACM–8) was a "Chimo"-class minelayer in the United States Navy in the World War II.

"Picket" was completed 15 April 1942 by Marietta Manufacturing Co., Point Pleasant, West Virginia, as U.S. Army mine planter "General Henry Knox"; transferred to the U.S. Navy 2 January 1945; completed conversion to ACM-8 at Charleston Navy Yard 5 March 1945; and commissioned 6 March 1945, Lt. Robert F. Harwood in command.

Pacific Theatre operations

"Picket" departed Charleston, South Carolina, 11 March 1945, and arrived Little Creek, Virginia, 13 March. Following shakedown, she reported for duty 3 April to Commander, Service Force, Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia. Loaded with minesweeping equipment, she departed Norfolk 26 April, transited the Panama Canal 7 May, and arrived San Diego, California, 20 May. Following training, "Picket" departed San Diego 9 June, and proceeded via Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, Guam, and Saipan to Okinawa, arriving 28 July to serve as minesweeper tender. "Picket" departed Okinawa 16 August, and, following rendezvous with Task Force 31 on the 21st, she entered Tokyo Bay on the 28th. With minesweepers, she departed Tokyo Bay 12 September, and arrived at Wakayama, Japan, on the 14th. Sailing from Kii Suido 20 September, she entered the Inland Sea on the 22nd. Through 31 October she operated with minesweepers to clear the approaches to Hiro, Kure, Gunchu, and Matsuyama for U.S. Army landings.

Decommissioning

Following postwar occupation duties, "Picket" returned to the United States. She decommissioned 24 June 1946, and was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard that date. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 19 July 1946.

References

ee also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Minelayer
* 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/ACM/ACM-8_Picket.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 ACM-8 USS Picket]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0108.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - USCGC Willow (WLB 332) - ex-USCGC Willow (WAGL 332) - ex-Picket (ACM 8) - ex-General Henry Knox]
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-2.htm Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945]
* [http://www.ibiblio.net/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-dm.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 Minecraft]