USS Kestrel (AMCU-26)

USS "Kestrel" (AMCU-26) was initially the U.S. Navy landing craft LCI(l)-351. She was an LCI(L)-351 Class Landing craft, Infantry (Large) / AMCU-7 Class Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator): Laid down, 7 September 1944 by the New Jersey Shipbuilding Co., Barber, New Jersey; Launched, 6 October 1944; Commissioned USS LSI(L)-874, 13 October 1944; Decommissioned, 10 July 1946; Named USS Kestrel and reclassified a Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator), AMCU-26, 7 March 1952; Conversion to AMCU-26 began, 24 August 1953 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington; Conversion completed, 1 March 1954; Recommissioned, 8 February 1954; Reclassified a Coastal Minehunter, MHC-26, February 1955.

The ship served both as a landing craft and coastal minesweeper.

Following shakedown and training off the Atlantic coast, LCI(L)-874 departed Key West, Florida, 25 November for the Pacific. She engaged in additional training after arriving San Diego, California, 13 December. Departing 29 January 1945, she touched Pearl Harbor, Eniwetok, and Guam before arriving Peleliu 12 April. She performed picket and patrol duty in the Palau Islands during the remaining months of World War II.

From September 1945 to February 1946, LCI(L)-874 operated between the Palau and Mariana Islands, providing mail and shuttle service among the Islands. Departing Eniwetok 4 February she arrived San Pedro, California, 1 month later. Sailing to Oregon in May LCI(L)-874 decommissioned there 10 July 1946 and joined the Pacific Reserve Fleet. She was reclassified and named USS "Kestrel" (AMCU-26) 7 March 1952; then recommissioned 8 February 1954, Lt. Gurley P. Chatelain in command. After shakedown and training, she arrived San Diego, California, 27 March for operations in the 11th Naval District. From 1954 to 1957, "Kestrel" operated out of San Diego, California, on underwater mine location exercises. She was reclassified MHC-26 in February 1955.

"Kestrel" was decommissioned at San Diego, California, 2 December 1957. She was sold to Murphy Marine Service on 28 June, 1960.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/k3/kestrel-ii.htm
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0426.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Kestrel (MHC 26) - ex-Kestral (AMCU 26) - ex-LSI(L)-874]