USSStalwart(MSO-493)

For other ships with the same name, seeUSS Stalwart.

USSStalwart(MSO-493) in 1957
History
United States
Laid down	22 June 1954
Launched	3 December 1955
Commissioned	23 April 1957
Decommissioned	24 August 1966
Stricken	1 March 1967
Homeport	Charleston, South Carolina
Fate	sunk 1966, scrapped 1967
General characteristics
Displacement	775 tons (full load)
Length	172 ft (52 m)
Beam	36 ft (11 m)
Draught	10 ft (3.0 m)
Speed	15 knots
Complement	74
Armament	one40 mmmount

USSStalwart(MSO-493)was anAgile-classminesweeperacquired by theU.S. Navyfor the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

The second ship to be namedStalwartby the Navy,MSO-493,ex-AM-493,was laid down on 22 June 1954 by Broward Marine Shipbuilding Co. Inc.,Fort Lauderdale, Florida,launched on 3 December 1955; sponsored by Mrs. Dante B. Fascelli; and commissioned on 23 April 1957.

East Coast operations

Stalwartwas assigned toMine Force, Atlantic Fleet,andCharleston, South Carolina,was designated her home port. She held hershakedown cruisein theGuantánamo Bayarea during June and July. She entered theCharleston Navy Yardfor an extensive overhaul period that was completed in February 1958 which made her, at that time, the most modern minesweeper in theU.S. Atlantic Fleet.

Sixth Fleet deployment

Stalwartwas deployed to theU.S. 6th Fleetfrom July to December to support American military forces during theLebanon crisis.She was overhauled again from February to May 1959, after which she participated in various fleet exercises. In August, she was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for excellence in the performance of her assigned duties. In March and April 1960,Stalwartwas selected to perform special project work for the evaluation of new mine hunting techniques with the Operational Test and Evaluation Force atKey West, Florida.In May, the minesweeper participated in amphibious exercises in theCaribbeanand again from August to November. She was awarded the minesweeping "M" in August for excellence in minesweeping proficiency.

Midshipmen training

In February 1961,Stalwartcompleted an overhaul and, after refresher training, participated in a joint United States-Canadian exercise offSouth Carolina.In June, she deployed to theDominican Republicfor fleet exercises and then held amidshipmantraining cruise to theCaribbean.Stalwartdeployed to theU.S. 6th Fleetfrom September 1961 to 24 March 1962. She operated out of her home port until 29 May 1963 when her division,Mine Division44, was deployed to theCaribbeanfor four and one-half months and returned to Charleston on 18 October.

Stalwartburns and sinks

Stalwartresumed her normal routine until 28 March 1966 when her division was again deployed to theCaribbean.She was moored to the east side of the tender pier atSan Juan, Puerto Rico,on 25 June when a fire broke out in her machinery space. AlthoughStalwartʼs crew and the crew of thehigh-speed transportUSSBeverly W. Reid(APD-119)– in port for liberty after operations in the Caribbean – fought the fire for about nine hours,Stalwartcapsized and sank.Stalwartwas refloated by therescue and salvage shipsUSSEscape(ARS-6)andUSSHoist(ARS-40)on 17 July and towed back to Charleston by thefleet tugUSSSalinan(ATF-161)on 23 November.

Final status

She was placed out of commission on 24 August 1966 and her name was struck from theNavy liston 1 March 1967.Stalwartwas subsequently scrapped.

References

This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.The entry can be foundhere.

External links

• NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - AM / MSO-493 Stalwart