USS Captivate (AM-156)

USS "Captivate" (AM-156) was an built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Pacific Ocean before being given to the Soviets under the lend-lease program.

She was launched 1 December 1942 by Willamette Iron and Steel Works, Portland, Oregon; commissioned 30 December 1943, Lieutenant B. J. Kocel USNR, in command; and reported to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

World War II Pacific Ocean operations

"Captivate" stood out of San Francisco, California, 11 March 1944 bound for Pearl Harbor and Majuro, where she arrived 10 April. Until 22 September she operated at this forward base for western Pacific operations as harbor entrance patrol and pilot vessel, occasionally escorting convoys to the other islands of the Marshalls group. Through 14 October, she escorted convoys in the Marianas and patrolled off Tinian.

Patrol and escort duties in the newly captured Palau Islands occupied "Captivate" between 23 October 1944 and 3 February 1945. Similar duty at Eniwetok through the remainder of February ended "Captivate's" combat area service under the American flag.

Transfer to the Soviet Union

Arriving at Portland, Oregon on 27 March 1945, she sailed on to Seattle, Washington, where she aided in training programs until 6 July. Clearing for Cold Bay, Alaska, she trained a Russian crew, and was decommissioned 16 August 1945 at Cold Bay. She was transferred to the Soviet Union under lend lease the same day and is believed to have been scrapped in 1956. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register, 1 January 1983.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* Patrol boat
* Minelayer

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02156.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Captivate (MSF 156) - ex-AM-156 - ex-AMc-133]