- USS Illusive (AM-448)
USS "Illusive" (AM-448/MSO-448) was an acquired by the
U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships."Illusive" ("AM-448") was launched by Martinolich Ship building Co.,
San Diego, California ,12 July 1952 ; sponsored by Mrs. Vito Marino; and commissioned14 November 1953 , Lt. Comdr. J. E. Ruzic in command.West Coast operations
After shakedown and individual ship training out of
Long Beach, California , during 1954, the ship entered Long Beach shipyard for extensive modifications October 1954 to February 1953. She was reclassified "MSO-448"7 February 1955 . She continued to operate out of Long Beach, taking part in a majorU.S. Pacific Fleet training exercise in November 1955. For the next year she trained inCalifornia waters.Illusive replaces her engines
"Illusive" again entered the yard in November 1956, this time to replace her engines with experimental
Packard models, and until May 1957 was engaged in engineering evaluation trials. She then sailed for her first deployment to theFar East 1 August 1957 . Through December she took part in the vital operations of theU.S. 7th Fleet for the maintenance of peace and security in East Asia. She took part in joint exercises with Japanese naval units 6-9 October and with theChinese Nationalist Navy 15 to17 December 1957 . "Illusive" returned to Long Beach15 February 1958 .Second Far East deployment
The remainder of 1958 was spent in training operations out of Long Beach. In 1959 she remained in California waters, and took part in a large amphibious exercise off
Camp Pendleton . "Illusive" then made-ready for her second deployment to the western Pacific, sailing8 January 1960 forJapan . During this critical period, in which American Navy ships were increasingly active in helping to preventCommunist takeover of the countries of Southeast Asia, the minesweeper carried out maneuvers off Japan, thePhilippines , andOkinawa . "Illusive" returned to Long Beach19 July 1960 .Thailand operations
The year 1961 saw the ship return to the Far East. She sailed
24 August and operated in the Philippines as well as out ofGuam and Formosa. She moved toSattahib ,Thailand ,25 November , as American ships demonstrated support for that nation, and in December visitedBangkok, Thailand , andSaigon , capital of the strugglingRepublic of South Vietnam . During this period "Illusive" conducted training exercises with several Southeast Asian navies. She was particularly active in trainingSouth Vietnam ese officers and men until sailing for Long Beach3 March 1982 .The veteran ship returned to the far Pacific in August 1963 and after stopping at island bases along the way arrived Sasebo
23 September . In the months that followed "Illusive" took part in U.S. 7th Fleet training with Korean, Nationalist Chinese and Japanese minesweepers. She returned to Long Beach7 March 1964 for yard overhaul, followed by refresher training off the coast of southern California.Supporting Operation Market Time
On
13 August 1965 "Illusive" departed Long Beach for training in thePacific Ocean that took her toHawaii , the Marshalls, the Marianas, and the Philippines. She stood out ofSubic Bay 2 October 1965 to join the "Market Time Patrol" vigilantly trying to stop the coastal flow of contraband by junks and boats toVietcong the full length ofVietnam 's 1,000 mile coastline. Her patrol service may include acting as a mother ship for replenishing the needs of "Swift" boats, providing gunfire support to U.S. forces ashore, or conducting ahydrographic survey on shoreline depths, in addition to patrolling thousands of miles within the inspection zone to intercept Vietcong men and supplies. "Illusive" continued this vital duty until she turned homeward in February 1966. The minesweeper reached Long Beach28 April . She operated along theU.S. West Coast for the remainder of 1966 and into 1967.Supporting Operation End Sweep
Final status
"Illusive" finally decommissioned
30 March 1990 and was stricken from theNaval Register 1 June 1990 . She was sold by Navy sale for scrapping on9 February 1993 for the sum of $12,000.References
See also
*
List of United States Navy ships External links
* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/i1/illusive.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - Illusive]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02448.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Illusive (MSO 448) - ex-AM-448]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MSO448.htm NVR - MSO-448]
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