USS Measure (AM-263)

USS "Measure" (AM-263) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and then was transferred to the Pacific Ocean in order to lend the vessel to the Soviet Union under terms of the Lend Lease Act.

"Measure" was laid down by American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio, 5 June 1943; launched 23 October 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Richard W. Mills, Jr.; and commissioned 3 May 1944, Lt. Joseph J. Summerell, Jr., USNR., in command.

World War II Atlantic operations

After shakedown in the St. Lawrence River, "Measure" departed Cleveland, Ohio, 21 May for Boston, Massachusetts, with a stop at Halifax, Nova Scotia, arriving 2 June. On 16 June she continued on to Little Creek, Virginia, arriving the 18th. Assigned to Mine Squadron 13, she spent most of the next month in minesweeping exercises in the Chesapeake Bay, then reported to Service Squadron 5 on 23 July for towing duty.

Transfer to the Pacific Fleet

On 31 July "Measure" began operations as training and school ship out of Little Creek which continued into mid-December. On 26 December she moved to Norfolk and 3 January 1945 got underway for the U.S. West Coast, via Miami, Florida, and the Panama Canal, arriving San Diego, California, 28 February.

Attached to the Western sea frontier, "Measure" steamed north 1 March; made a stopover at Seattle, Washington, 5 to 26 March; and arrived Kodiak, Alaska, the 31st for minesweeping duty.

Transfer to the Soviet Navy

After the German surrender on 8 May, "Measure" was leased to Russia 21 May as "T-275" for service with the Russian Navy. Purchased outright by the Soviets in the late 1950s, "T-275" participated in landings at Seising, Korea, 15 August 1945; was awarded the Krasnoe Znamya order, (Order of the Red Banner) 14 September 1945; was decommissioned 23 October 1947 and was converted to a Whaler and named "Buran" ("Blizzard"); She was scrapped in 1960.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Patrol boat
* Minelayer
* Minesweeper

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m8/measure.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships: "Measure"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02263.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - "Measure" (AM 263)]