USS Salute (AM-470)

USS "Salute" (AM-470/MSO-470) was an "Aggressive"-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

"Salute" was laid down on 17 March 1953 by the Luders Marine Construction Co., Stamford, Connecticut; launched on 14 August 1954; sponsored by Mrs. Frederick A. Edwards; reclassified "MSO-470" on 7 February 1955; and commissioned on 4 May 1955, Lt. John James Parish in command.

Search for lost H-Bomb off Spain

Based at Charleston, South Carolina, "Salute" provided minesweeping services along the U.S. East Coast, in the Caribbean, and in the Mediterranean from 1955 to 1970. Duty with the U.S. 6th Fleet took her to the Mediterranean six times during this period. In March 1966, "Salute" used special equipment to aid in the search off the Spanish coast for an H-bomb lost in waters off Palomares after a mid-air bomber collision. In May 1967, she received visitors on board while at the world's fair at Montreal, Canada.

Inactivity and decommissioning

She remained active in the U.S. Atlantic Fleet until decommissioned on 15 May 1970 for mine warfare conversion. However, on 16 October, her conversion was cancelled; she was struck from the Navy list on 1 February 1971 and was sold for scrapping in August.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Aggressive 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.navsource.org/archives/11/02470.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Salute (MSO 470) - ex-Salute (AM 470)]
* [http://www.historycentral.com/Navy/Minelayer/saluteII.html Salute II MSO-470]