USS Scoter (AM-381)

USS "Scoter" (AM-381) was an "Auk"-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

"Scoter" was named after the word “Scoter,” which is a mercantile name retained during service in the United States Navy. "Scoter" was the second U.S. Navy vessel to have that name, and was laid down on 4 April 1944 by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama; launched on 26 September 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Reuben E. Clarson; and commissioned on 17 March 1945, Lt. Comdr. G. W. Lundgren in command.

Pacific Ocean operations

After shakedown, "Scoter" sailed from the U.S. East Coast on 22 May for the Pacific; arrived at San Diego, California, on 13 June; and proceeded to Terminal Island, California, for four additional weeks of training, which began upon arrival on 18 June. The ship underwent repairs in San Pedro, California, from 11 July to 12 August and sailed for Okinawa on 17 August, two days after the Japanese surrender. After a month in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, "Scoter" sailed on 20 October for Sasebo, Japan, arriving two days later. In company with 14 minesweepers and other craft, "Scoter" departed Sasebo for a sweeping operation in the East China Sea on 26 October. However, after one day's sweeping, she was withdrawn from the task group and returned to Sasebo to prepare for minesweeping support missions elsewhere in Japan. On 3 November, she proceeded to Iki Shima with "Barbican" (ACM-5), but was unable to enter the harbor there and returned to Sasebo on 9 November. She sailed two days later for Fukuoka, Japan, where she served as logistics ship for sweeping operations. On 28 January 1946, she sailed for Kure, Japan, to serve as logistics vessel for Minesweeping Craft Three. The minesweeper departed Kure on 24 February and arrived at San Francisco, California, on 18 April 1946 for overhaul.

Second Far East tour

"Scoter" departed San Diego on 16 November 1946 with five YMS's, and, for the next five months, supported these vessels as they cleared minefields at Johnston Island, Eniwetok, Guam, and Woleai. She then joined five larger minesweepers in sweeps at Truk before returning, via Pearl Harbor, to Seal Beach, California, on 14 April.

Decommissioning

"Scoter" arrived at San Diego, California, for inactivation the next day, and was decommissioned and placed in reserve there on 16 April 1947. "Scoter" was reclassified MSF-381 on 7 February 1955. "Scoter" was sold to Mexico on 19 September 1972 and serves the Mexican Navy as "Manuel Gutierrez Zamora" (G-10) into 1974.

Awards

"Scoter" received one battle star for her World War II participation.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Auk class minesweeper
* World War II
* Minesweeper (ship)
* Minesweeping

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/#Anchor-Editoria-14954 Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/AM/AM-381_Scoter.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 AM-381 USS Scoter]
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5392.html USS Scoter (AM 381)]
* [http://www.multied.com/navy/Minelayer/scoterII.html USS Scoter]
* [http://nmsoa.org/tsd.htm Silent Defenders]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/ships-dm.html Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940-1945 Minecraft]