USS Ransom (AM-283)

USS "Ransom" (AM-283) was an Admirable-class minesweeper 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 voyaging to the U.S. East Coast prior to decommissioning. Post-war, her crew returned home proudly with three battle stars to their credit.

"Ransom" was laid down 24 April 1943 by General Engineering & Dry Dock Co., San Francisco, California; launched 18 September 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Dwight H. Dexter and commissioned 5 August 1944, Lt. Comdr. William N. McMillen, USNR, in command.

World War II Pacific Ocean operations

After shakedown off the California coast, "Ransom" got underway for Hawaii 15 October and arrived at Pearl Harbor a week later for escort duty back to the west coast and later to Eniwetok, Ulithi, and Kossol Roads, arriving at the latter 12 January 1945. She then worked in the antisubmarine patrol screen off Peleliu.

From 1 to 18 February, "Ransom" acted as harbor entrance station vessel at Kossol, and patrolled in screens between Kossol and Peleliu, before proceeding to Ulithi to stage for Operation Iceberg.

Supporting Okinawa operations

On 19 March she sailed for the Ryukyus with task unit TU 52.5.3 and, from 25 March to 18 April, she swept and patrolled in assigned areas around Okinawa despite heavy Japanese coastal and aerial resistance.

Ransom shoots down three kamikaze aircraft

On 6 April, "Ransom" shot down three suicide aircraftwhile rescuing 52 survivors of USS|Rodman|DMS-21 and USS|Emmons|DMS-22. The third kamikaze's bomb caused some minor damage to "Ransom". Relieved of sweeping duties 18 April, "Ransom" was assigned to antiaircraft and antisubmarine patrol. Although damaged on the 22nd by a bomb from a "Val" she had splashed 10 feet off her port quarter, "Ransom" continued to patrol through June.

On 4 July "Ransom" resumed minesweeping operations. Throughout the month she operated in the East China Sea, sweeping a total of seven mines, then, on 6 August, she retired to Leyte for overhaul and repair. Returning to Okinawa at the end of the month, she continued on to Japan with task group TG 52.4, and on 9 September began sweeping mines at Nagasaki. On 21 September, she shifted to Bungo Suido, where she swept until the end of September. During the month "Ransom" swept 73 enemy mines.

Transfer to Atlantic Ocean operations

"Ransom" departed Kure, Japan, for the United States 20 November. Transiting the Panama Canal 30 December 1945, she continued on to New Orleans, Louisiana; underwent pre-inactivation overhaul; and decommissioned at Orange, Texas, 3 March 1947.

Berthed at Orange for the next four years, "Ransom" recommissioned 16 March 1951. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, she operated out of Charleston, South Carolina, Norfolk, Virginia, and Yorktown, Virginia, through 1952. She then operated from New England to the Caribbean until decommissioned at Charleston in June 1953.

Final decommissioning

She arrived at Orange, Texas, 22 September and entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. "Ransom" was reclassified MSF-283 on 7 February 1955, and moved to Florida in November 1958 where she remained until struck from the Navy list 1 May 1962. Transferred to Mexico as "DM-12", later "Teniente Juan de la Barrera" (C-55).

Awards

"Ransom" earned three battle stars for World War II service.

References

See also

* List of United States Navy ships
* World War II
* Patrol boat
* Minelayer
* Minesweeper

External links

*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/r2/ransom.htm
title= "Ransom"
work= DANFS
publisher= U.S. Naval Historical Center
*cite web | accessdate= 2008-02-18
url= http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/02283.htm
title= "Ransom"
work= Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive | publisher= NavSource Online