NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Peacock

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate
AMS121, 2.1955- MSC121	Bluebird		Mare Island N Yd, Vallejo	2.1952	11.5.1953	7.1953	stricken 1.1975
AMS122, 2.1955- MSC122	Cormorant		Mare Island N Yd, Vallejo	2.1952	8.6.1953	8.1953	stricken 3.1974
AMS190, 2.1955- MSC190	Falcon		Quincy Adams, Quincy	5.1953	21.9.1953	11.1954	to Indonesia 1971 (722 Pulau Aru)
AMS191, 2.1955- MSC191	Frigate Bird		Quincy Adams, Quincy	7.1953	24.10.1953	1.1955	to Indonesia 1971 (721 Pulau Antang)
MSC192	Hummingbird		Quincy Adams, Quincy	10.1953	25.12.1954	2.1955	to Indonesia 1971 (720 Pulau Impalasa)
MSC193	Jacana		Quincy Adams, Quincy	2.1954	25.2.1955	3.1955	to Indonesia 1971 (718 Pulau Aruan)
MSC194	Kingbird		Quincy Adams, Quincy	2.1954	21.5.1954	4.1955	stricken 7.1972
MSC195	Limpkin		Broward, Fort Lauderdale	4.1953	21.5.1954	3.1955	to Indonesia 1971 (719 Pulau Anjer)
MSC196	Meadowlark		Broward, Fort Lauderdale	5.1953	28.8.1954	5.1955	to Indonesia 1971 (717 Pulau Alor)
MSC197	Parrot		Broward, Fort Lauderdale	12.1953	27.11.1954	6.1955	stricken 8.1972
MSC198	Peacock		Harbor Boat, Terminal Island	1.1953	19.6.1954	3.1955	stricken 7.1975
MSC199	Phoebe		Harbor Boat, Terminal Island	2.1953	21.8.1954	4.1955	stricken 7.1975
AMS200, 2.1955- MSC200	Redwing		Tampa Marine	7.1953	29.4.1954	1.1955	to Spain 6.1959 (M29 Sil)
MSC201	Shrike		Tampa Marine	9.1953	21.7.1954	3.1955	stricken 7.1975
MSC202	Spoonbill		Tampa Marine	11.1953	3.8.1954	6.1955	to Spain 6.1959 (M28 Duero)
MSC203	Thrasher		Tampa Marine	4.1954	6.10.1954	8.1955	stricken 7.1975, to Singapore (Mercury)
MSC204	Thrush		Tampa Marine	5.1954	5.1.1955	11.1955	research vessel 7.1975
MSC205	Vireo		Bellingham SY	9.1953	30.4.1954	6.1955	stricken 7.1975, to Fiji (Kula)
MSC206	Warbler		Bellingham SY	10.1953	18.6.1954	7.1955	stricken 7.1975, to Fiji (Kiro)
MSC207	Whippoorwill		Bellingham SY	1.1954	13.8.1954	10.1955	to Singapore 7.1975 (Jupiter)
MSC208	Widgeon		Bellingham SY	5.1954	15.10.1954	11.1955	stricken 7.1973
MSC209	Woodpecker		Bellingham SY	6.1954	7.1.1955	2.1956	to Fiji 7.1976 (Kikau)
MSC289	Albatross		Tacoma BB	2.1959	26.3.1960	4.1961	stricken 4.1970
MSC290	Gannet		Tacoma BB	5.1959	26.5.1960	7.1961	stricken 4.1970

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	360
Displacement full, t	400
Length, m	42.1 wl 44.3 oa
Breadth, m	8.10
Draught, m	2.10
No of shafts	2
Machinery	MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 2 Packard diesels MSC200 - 209, 289, 290: 2 General Motors 8-268A diesels
Power, h. p.	MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 1200 MSC200 - 209: 880 MSC289, 290: 1000
Max speed, kts	MSC121, 122, 190 - 199: 13 MSC200 - 209: 12 MSC289, 290: 12.5
Fuel, t	diesel oil
Endurance, nm(kts)	2500(10)
Armament	1 x 2 - 20/70 Mk 24, acoustic, magnetic, mechanical minesweeping gear
Electronic equipment	SPS-53 radar, UQS-1 sonar
Complement	39

Graphics

Project history

 These ships were essentially versions of the Second World War YMS, initially for transfer abroad under the MDAP programme, and initially designated AMS (later MSC, for coastal). The original design did not show XMAP capability, and 'improved magnetic signature', but because of cost and time considerations, and extreme measures taken in AM design will not be used. Designs with both the new Packard (total 1200bhp) and a proven GM 8-268A (total 880bhp) diesel were prepared, the latter favoured for foreign customers. They were to be armed with a twin 20mm gun forward, compared to the 76mm/50 of the YMS and to the single 40mm of the MSO. Of 159 units of the original Bluebird (SCB 69) class launched from 1953 onwards all but twenty were transferred. They are often called the Adjutant class. Many more units were built abroad with US assistance, primarily to British designs. Where the US MSCs had wooden frames, the British used aluminium. All had controllable-pitch propellers for agility in minefields. Albatross (MSC289) and Gannet (MSC290) were the last US sweepers authorised until the MCMs of the 1980s (which may not in fact be built) and were slightly enlarged Bluebirds. Of 25 units built, only two were retained in US service. They introduced gas turbine generators for magnetic sweeping and modified gear-handling equipment.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

No significant events.