USS Advance (AMc-63)

USS "Advance" (AMc-63) was an "Accentor"-class coastal minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

The fifth ship to be named "Advance" by the Navy, "AMc-63" was laid down on 12 April 1941 at Greenport, Long Island, New York, by the Greenport Basin & Construction Co. as "Aggressor"; renamed "Advance" on 23 May 1941; launched on 28 June 1941; sponsored by Miss Mary R. Gillespie; and placed in service at the New York Navy Yard on 10 October 1941, Lt. Walter E. Goering, USNR, in charge.

World War II service

The coastal minesweeper completed her outfitting at Brooklyn, New York, and moved south to Norfolk, Virginia. After mine detection and sweeping training under the auspices of the Naval Mine Warfare School at Yorktown, Virginia, "Advance" began operations with the forces assigned to the Commandant, 5th Naval District.

Based at Little Creek, Virginia, she served directly under the Commander, Inshore Patrol, 5th Naval District. That duty lasted until late May of 1944 when she was reassigned to the 1st Naval District.

"Advance" operated along the New England coast until the middle of June 1945. At that time, she returned briefly to Norfolk before continuing on to Charleston, South Carolina, in July. There, the minesweeper reported to the Commandant, 6th Naval District, for disposition.

Post-war inactivation

On 6 December 1945, "Advance" was placed out of service and berthed in the Wando River. Her name was struck from the Navy list on 3 January 1946, and she was sold for scrapping on 3 March 1947 to Mr. Lloyd Lambert, of Baltimore, Maryland.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Minesweeper (ship)

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/03063.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Advance (AMc 63) - ex-Aggressor]