- USS Bluebird (AM-72)
USS Bluebird (AM-72) was a "Albatross"-class minesweeper acquired by the
U.S. Navy duringWorld War II for clearing minefields during fleet operations."M/V Maine"--a steel-hulled
fishing trawler constructed in1931 atBath, Maine , byBath Iron Works --was purchased by the Navy on13 August 1940 from the Booth Fisheries Co.,Boston, Massachusetts ; renamed "Bluebird" and designated a minesweeper, AM-72, on14 August 1940 ; converted to naval service at Boston, Massachusetts, by the General Ship & Engineering Works; and commissioned at theBoston Navy Yard on22 November 1940 , Lt. James T. Baldwin,USNR , in command.World War II service
"Bluebird" was assigned to
Mine Squadron (MinRon) 7, Train, Atlantic Fleet. In the spring of1941 , the minesweeper moved south toBermuda , where a naval operating base (NOB) had been established to support the newly established Neutrality Patrol. She served at Bermuda until late in June, returning to theUnited States atNorfolk, Virginia , on27 June . "Bluebird" operated along theU.S. East Coast as a unit ofMinRon 7 until the spring of1942 . On2 April 1942 , she received orders assigning her to the5th Naval District on a temporary basis. On23 July , the minesweeper resumed duty with the Atlantic Fleet. By the first part of1943 , thewarship was part of theGreenland Patrol, operating in the waters between Greenland andIceland .Redesignated IX-172
"Bluebird" patrolled the northern Atlantic until the fall of
1944 . During that time, on1 June 1944 , she was redesignated IX-172. On31 October 1944 , she arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, and reported to the Commandant,1st Naval District , preparatory to being laid up.Decommissioning
"Bluebird" was decommissioned on
12 January 1945 , and her name was struck from theNavy list on19 January 1945 . On15 November 1945 , she was transferred to theMaritime Commission 'sWar Shipping Administration for disposal.References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b7/bluebird-i.htm
External links
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02072.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Bluebird (IX 172) - ex-AM-72]
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