USNS Shearwater (T-AG-177)

USNS "Shearwater" (T-AG-177) was a "Shearwater"-class miscellaneous auxiliary built during the final months of World War II, and then found to be excess to needs. She was placed back into service by the U.S. Navy from 1964 to 1969, after which she was transferred to the U.S. Army.

Built in New Jersey

"LCI(L)-882" was initially constructed as a "LCI(L)-398"-class LCI(L) and was laid down on 22 September 1944 by the New Jersey Shipbuilding Company at Barber, New Jersey as USAT "FS-411"; launched on 18 October 1944; and commissioned on 25 October 1944. "LCI(L)-882" reported for shakedown on 31 October 1944 and thereafter remained in the United States. She was placed out of commission, in reserve, on 15 May 1947, and berthed with the Florida Group, Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Florida.

Planned conversion to minesweeper

Reclassified "LSI(L)-882" on 28 February 1949, she was nominated for conversion to a coastal minesweeper equipped with underwater object locating equipment in October 1950. On 7 March 1952, "LSI (L)-882" was designated "Shearwater" (AMCU-40). Her conversion to a mine hunter was cancelled in January 1954, and she remained out of commission in Florida. Effective 1 July 1954, she reverted to "LSIL-882", having never served under the name, "Shearwater".

Interim inactivation

On 11 July 1956, "LSIL-882" was certified as not essential to national defense, and her disposal was authorized on 12 July 1956. LSIL-882 was struck from the Navy list on that same date.

Operational history as T-AG-177

"Shearwater" began her naval service as a "survey support ship" with the Military Sea Transportation Service in May 1964. Operated by a Civil Service crew, she operated in the Atlantic Ocean until mid-February 1969, when she was transferred to the U.S. Army.

See also

* United States Navy
* Vietnam War

References

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* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/49/49177.htm NavSource Online: Service Ship Photo Archive - T-AG-177 Shearwater]