USS ''Embattle'' (AM-434/MSO-434) was an ''Agile''-class

minesweeper A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping. History The earliest known usage of ...

acquired by the

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...

for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships. The second ship to be named ''Embattle'' by the Navy, ''AM-434'' was launched 27 August 1953 by

Colberg Boat Works . Colberg Boat Works was a shipbuilding company in Stockton, California on the Stockton Channel. To support the World War II demand for ships Colberg Boat Works built: Minesweepers, Type V ship Tugboats, and Submarine chasers. The minesweepers ...

, Stockton, California; sponsored by Mrs. S. R. Towne; and commissioned 16 November 1954. She was reclassified ''MSO-434'', 7 February 1955.

West Coast operations

Since commissioning ''Embattle'' has served with Mine Forces, Pacific Fleet, engaged in type training and exercises along the U.S. West Coast from her home port of

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. From May to November 1956, and from November 1958 to May 1959, she cruised to the

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for exercises with the U.S. 7th Fleet and called at various Japanese ports,

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, and the

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. From May 1959 through the end of 1960 ''Embattle'' cruised the U.S. West Coast, training and maintaining her readiness at the traditionally high Navy level. Deployed to the Western Pacific in 1969, she remained active with the 7th Fleet until 2 May 1970 when she returned to the U.S. West Coast. Upon returning "Embattle" was designated a Reserve training ship homeported in Long Beach, CA.

Decommissioning

''Embattle'' was decommissioned in September 1972. She was struck from the

Navy list A Navy Directory, formerly the Navy List or Naval Register is an official list of naval officers, their ranks and seniority, the ships which they command or to which they are appointed, etc., that is published by the government or naval autho ...

on 15 May 1976, and was sold for scrapping on 11 January 1976.

References

External links

NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Embattle (MSO 434) - ex-AM-434
{{DEFAULTSORT:Embattle Agile-class minesweepers Ships built in Stockton, California 1953 ships