USS Impervious (AM-449)

USS "Impervious" (AM-449/MSO-449) was an "Aggressive"-class minesweeper 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.

"Impervious" ("AM 449") was launched by Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California, 29 August 1952; sponsored by Miss Mary Lin Moore; and commissioned 15 July 1954, Lt. Comdr. A. T. Ford in command.

First Far East tour

Following shakedown and mine warfare training off the California coast, "Impervious" was reclassified "MSO-449" on 7 February 1955. She sailed 1 July with her division for duty in the Far East with the U.S. 7th Fleet, arriving Sasebo via Pearl Harbor 5 August. During this deployment, she operated with ships of the Republic of Korea Navy and visited Taiwan before returning to her home port, Long Beach, 15 February 1956. During the next two years she operated out of Long Beach.

Her second cruise to the Far East

"Impervious" sailed for her second U.S. 7th Fleet deployment 3 January 1958, and during the next 6 months trained in Japanese waters. She also helped train Nationalist Chinese crews during April and May, preparing them to help to preserve the freedom and independence of Taiwan. The minesweeper returned to Long Beach 15 July 1958, and during September took part in a giant amphibious exercise off Camp Pendleton, California.

Joint U.S.-Canadian exercises

In April 1959 "Impervious" interrupted her regular training schedule to take part in a joint mine warfare exercise with Canadian ships, and spent the rest of the year on training exercises in California waters. In early 1960 the ship prepared for another deployment to the Far East, sailing 3 May for Japan. During August she participated in maneuvers with Korean and Nationalist Chinese ships, and in October "Impervious" operated with units of the Philippine Navy in similar operations off Corregidor. She sailed via Guam and Pearl Harbor to Long Beach, arriving 16 November.

Supporting nuclear testing at Johnston Island

The ship spent 1961 and early 1962 on important readiness operations, visiting several West Coast ports, and sailed again for U.S. 7th Fleet duty 7 April 1962. After training in the Philippines the minesweeper spent part of July on patrol with Vietnamese Naval units off Danang, and the Navy supported the South Vietnamese people in their fight for freedom. She visited Hong Kong and Yokosuka before arriving Pearl Harbor 8 September 1962. During October and November, "Impervious" took part in atomic tests at Johnston Island, and arrived Long Beach 21 November.

In March 1963 the ship took part in another large amphibious operation, "Operation Steelgate", then worked out of Long Beach before again joining Canadian ships for mine warfare exercises off British Columbia in November. She got underway for the western Pacific again 8 May 1964, and after stopping at various islands moved to the coast of South Vietnam in September for special operations supporting the American Advisory unit. After mine exercises off the Philippines she returned Long Beach 7 December 1964. The following 12 months were spent in tactics and exercises along the coast of southern California, overhaul at Los Angeles, California, and readiness operations to prepare her for another Far Eastern deployment assisting Allied forces to defend freedom in Southeast Asia.

Persian Gulf War service

"Impervious" was lifted to the Persian gulf following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. She was loaded aboard the Dutch heavy lift ship Super Servant 3 on 19 August 1990 at Norfolk along with USS Leader (MSO-490), USS Adroit (MSO-509) and USS Avenger (MCM-1). She was offloaded 5 October, 1990 in the middle east. "Impervious" returned to Norfolk on 14 November 1991 with USS Leader (MSO-490) and USS Adroit (MSO-509) aboard "Super Servant 4".

Final status

"Impervious" decommissioned 12 December 1991 and was stricken 18 March 1992. She was sold for scrapping 15 April 1995, but the purchaser defaulted and the contract for sale was cancelled 8 October 1996. She was ultimately sold for scrap 4 December 2000.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/i1/impervious.htm Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - Impervious]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02449.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Impervious (MSO 449) - ex-AM-449]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/MSO449.htm NVR - MSO-449]