- USS Blue Jay (AMc-23)
USS "Blue Jay" (AMc-23) was a
coastal minesweeper acquired by theU.S. Navy duringWorld War II for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing."Charles J. Ashley"—a wooden-hulled “dragger” (fishing craft) built in
1936 atThomaston, Maine , by the Wilbur Morse Shipyards—was acquired by the Navy from John G. Murley ofFairhaven, Massachusetts , on5 November 1940 ; renamed "Blue Jay" and classified as a coastal minesweeper, "AMc-23", on22 November 1940 ; converted to a minecraft at theNeponset, Massachusetts , shipyards of George Lawley & Sons; and placed in service at theBoston Navy Yard on22 June 1941 , Lt. Hiram S. Walker, Jr.,USNR , in charge.World War II service
Departing
Boston, Massachusetts , on14 July , "Blue Jay" arrived at the Mine Warfare School,Yorktown, Virginia , on the 18th for three weeks training. Departing Yorktown on2 August , the minesweeper reached thePhiladelphia Navy Yard the following day. Following upkeep, she and three other coastal minesweepers proceeded to the naval base atCape May, New Jersey , on16 August to operate as the minesweeping detachment of the4th Naval District 's local defense forces. "Blue Jay", her three near-sisters, and two coastal minesweepers, swept the mouth of theDelaware River into the autumn of1943 .Converted to diving tender
Ordered to
Newport, Rhode Island , for conversion to a diving tender (YDT), "Blue Jay" arrived there on6 November 1943 . With her reclassification, her name and coastal minesweeper designator were cancelled on20 November 1943 ; and she became simply YDT-6. Converted for her new work at the Boston Navy Yard—the alterations completed by22 May 1944 —she proceeded toQuonset Point, Rhode Island , the same day and operated out of the naval air station there as atorpedo retriever and diving tender.Placed out of service
Placed out of service on
15 April 1946 , "YDT-6" was struck from theNavy list on8 May 1946 and turned over to theMaritime Commission for disposal. She was reacquired by her original owner, John G. Murley, on20 December 1946 , and resumed her prewar fishing pursuits.References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b7/blue-jay-i.htm
External links
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/03023.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Blue Jay (AMc 23) - YDT-6]
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