USS Prestige (MSO-465)

USS "Prestige" (AM-465/MSO-465) 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.

"Prestige" ("AM–465") was laid down 15 April 1952 by Wilmington Boat Works, Wilmington, California; launched 30 April 1954; sponsored by Mrs. William R. Poulson; and commissioned 11 September 1954, Lt. C. L. Frink in command.

Pacific Ocean deployments

After shakedown and reclassification to "MSO–465" on 7 February 1955, "Prestige" participated in various exercises out of Long Beach, California, until she deployed 4 January 1956 to WestPac, proceeding via Pearl Harbor and Midway Island to serve with the U.S. 7th Fleet.

Operations in the Atlantic and the Pacific

Her WestPac tour of 1956 included landing exercises at Iwo Jima in February and April. Following a visit to Yokosuka, Japan, she returned to Long Beach 15 June for local operations. Sailing for the Panama Canal 30 August 1957, she conducted operations on both the Atlantic and the Pacific sides of the Canal. Heading for Long Beach 23 November, she commenced overhaul upon arrival.

Running aground in the Japanese Inland Sea

Deployed to WestPac in 1958, "Prestige" ran aground in Naruto Straits, Inland Sea, Japan, 23 August 1958. USS|Pivot|MSO-463 came to her rescue, but ran aground herself. "Pivot" managed to free herself, but "Prestige" could not break free and was abandoned and declared a total loss.

References

See also

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

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/prestige-ii.htm USS Prestige]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02465.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Prestige (MSO-465) - ex-AM-465]