USS Spoonbill (MSC-202)

USS Spoonbill (MSC-202) was an "Bluebird"-class motor minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for clearing coastal minefields.

"Spoonbill" (MSC-202) was laid down as AMS-202 on 2 November 1953 by Tampa Marine Co. Tampa Florida; launched on 3 August 1954: sponsored by Mrs. A. N. Springer; redesignated as MSC-202 on 7 February 1955; and commissioned on 14 June 1955, Lt. (jg.) Arthur P. Ismay in command.

East Coast operations

"Spoonbill" was among the first in a group of non-magnetic minesweepers of wooden construction capable of sweeping any conventional type mine constructed at the time. On 4 July 1955, she was assigned to United States Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet, Charleston, South Carolina. After shakedown training off Key West, Florida, from 26 July to 24 August and post-shakedown availability at Rawles Brothers' Shipyard, Jacksonville, Florida, "Spoonbill" returned to Charleston.

Schoolship assignment

She steamed from Charleston on 3 February 1956 for Yorktown, Virginia, where she was assigned duty with the Naval Mine Warfare School, embarking students for daily cruises to participate in minesweeping operations and training with fleet units.

The ship sailed for Argentia, Newfoundland, on 8 January 1957 and participated in fleet exercises from 15 January to 7 February wary when she returned to Charleston. "Spoonbill" operated from there until 4 February 1958 when she got underway for the U.S. West Coast. The minesweeper transited the Panama Canal on the 11th and arrived at San Diego, California, on the 28th. She moved up the coast to Treasure Island, California, and conducted operations from there until 2 February 1959.

Decommissioning

Ordered back to the U.S. East Coast, "Spoonbill" arrived at Norfolk on 9 March to enter the navy yard for an overhaul in preparation for transfer to Spain. "Spoonbill" was struck from the Navy list on 16 June 1959 and transferred to Spain on 1 July under the Military Assistance Program. She served the Spanish Navy as "Duero" (M-28) into 1975. "Spoonbill" was struck from the Spanish Navy List, 16 December 1999. Fate: unknown.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Minesweeper

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/05202.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Spoonbill (AMS / MSC 202)]