"Mines have damaged or sunk more ships than all other weapons
combined." This quote from FAS The Military Analysis Network expresses the
importance of this critical area of naval warfare. Mine warfare has been a
part U.S. naval strategy from the days of Admiral David Farragut's bold advance into the entrance of Mobile Bay during the Civil War -
"Damn the torpedoes!(mines) Full speed ahead!" From the mining of the
North Sea in WW I, Japanese harbors in WW II, Wonson during the Korean Conflict,
and Haiphong harbor in Vietnam, to the damage sustained by the USS Princeton and USS
Tripoli during the first Gulf War, mining and mine countermeasures have
been an integral part of the battle for control of the sea.
The U.S. Navy has acquired a variety of ship types for these
purposes over the years. George Bieda has drawing virtually
all of them! A variety of the classes of ships either converted from other ship
types or designed and built specifically for this task are offered here.
As you scroll down this page, you will find the newer classes first, then those
from the past. If you don't see your ship listed here, give us a call, as
there is a good chance we can produce a drawing for you! BROWSE AND
ENJOY!
A neglected component of the US Fleet for decades, the first Gulf
War revealed a new need for ships capable of both laying mines and
detecting/destroying enemy mines.
Show
here is the USS Cardinal MHC 60, of the new Osprey Class.
These coastal minehunters have plastic hulls reinforced with glass, and are
designed solely for mine hunting. Nobody can clear a harbor faster than
these crews! Click on the thumbnail image for a larger view, then click
your browser's BACK button to return here. Be sure to select a specific ship and print options
when ordering!
Depicted
here is the USS Guardian MCM 5, one of the Avenger Class
minesweepers. These mine countermeasures ships were the first large
minesweepers under construction for the US Navy since the 1950s. Click on the thumbnail image for a
larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return here. Please specify
your desired ship and print
options when ordering.
Several classes of Ocean Minesweepers were built by the U.S. Navy during the
1950's, a number of which were supplied for use by other nations.
The following classes can be found in the drop-down list - Agile,
Aggressive, Dash, and Acme and Ability. An example of of each
class is shown below. Click on the thumbnail
image for a larger view, then click your browser's BACK button to return
here. Be sure to select your ship and print options when ordering!
 |
 |
 |
 |
| USS Agile MSO 421 |
USS Bold MSO 424 |
USS Dominant MSO 431 |
USS Advance MSO 510 |
During World War II, the Navy found need for a high-speed
oceangoing minesweeper. To fill this requirement, a number of older fleet
destroyers, and some built during WW II were converted for this use. The
ships were modified to carry minesweeping gear by extending the stern in some
cases, and by removing the aft turrets in others. Wickes Class destroyers
were converted to Dorsey Class Destroyer Minesweepers, Clemson Class destroyers
became Chandler Class DM's, and Benson Class destroyers were modified as Ellyson
Class DM's. All three classes were designated as DMS. Many were
re-designated as destroyers later in the war and afterward. The image on
the right is of the USS Knight DMS 40 as she appeared in 1945. Drawings of
all of the Destroyer Minesweepers are available in the drop-down list below.
Pick out your ship, your print options, and don't forget to add personalization
that will make your drawing really unique!
BACK TO SHIPS OF THE US NAVY
