Destroyer minesweeper
Encyclopedia
Destroyer minesweeper was a designation given by the United States Navy
to a series of destroyer
s that were converted into high-speed ocean-going minesweepers
for service during World War II
. The hull number
for such a ship began "DMS". Forty-two ships were so converted, beginning with the USS Dorsey (DD-117)
, converted to DMS 1 in late 1940, and ending with the USS Earle (DD-635)
, converted to DMS-42 in mid 1945. The type is now obsolete, its function having been taken over by purpose-built ships, designated as "minesweeper (high-speed)" with hull numbers beginning MMD.
The original ships were obsolete four-stack destroyers built during and after World War I
with usable power plants. The number 4 boiler, fourth stack, and torpedo tubes were removed, depth charge
racks repositioned forward from the stern and angled outboard, and the stern modified to support sweep gear: davit
s, winch
, paravane
s, and kite
s. Two 60-kilowatt turbo-generators replaced the three original 25-kilowatt generators to improve capability for sweeping magnetic and acoustic
mines
.
Conversion of the initial seventeen ships was completed in October and November 1940, and included eight Wickes class
and nine Clemson class destroyers
. An additional Wickes class destroyer was converted in 1941. The fictional USS Caine from Herman Wouk
's novel The Caine Mutiny
was such a ship. The 24 later ships in the series were Gleaves class destroyers
built during the war.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to a series of destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s that were converted into high-speed ocean-going minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
for service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The hull number
Hull number
Hull number is a serial identification number given to a boat or ship. A lower number implies an older vessel. The precise usage varies by country and type....
for such a ship began "DMS". Forty-two ships were so converted, beginning with the USS Dorsey (DD-117)
USS Dorsey (DD-117)
USS Dorsey was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was named for John Dorsey.Dorsey was launched 9 April 1918 by William Cramp & Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; sponsored by Mrs. A. Means, distant relative of Midshipman Dorsey; and commissioned 16...
, converted to DMS 1 in late 1940, and ending with the USS Earle (DD-635)
USS Earle (DD-635)
USS Earle , a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Ralph Earle....
, converted to DMS-42 in mid 1945. The type is now obsolete, its function having been taken over by purpose-built ships, designated as "minesweeper (high-speed)" with hull numbers beginning MMD.
The original ships were obsolete four-stack destroyers built during and after World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
with usable power plants. The number 4 boiler, fourth stack, and torpedo tubes were removed, depth charge
Depth charge
A depth charge is an anti-submarine warfare weapon intended to destroy or cripple a target submarine by the shock of exploding near it. Most use explosives and a fuze set to go off at a preselected depth in the ocean. Depth charges can be dropped by either surface ships, patrol aircraft, or from...
racks repositioned forward from the stern and angled outboard, and the stern modified to support sweep gear: davit
Davit
A davit is a structure, usually made of steel, which is used to lower things over an edge of a long drop off such as lowering a maintenance trapeze down a building or launching a lifeboat over the side of a ship....
s, winch
Winch
A winch is a mechanical device that is used to pull in or let out or otherwise adjust the "tension" of a rope or wire rope . In its simplest form it consists of a spool and attached hand crank. In larger forms, winches stand at the heart of machines as diverse as tow trucks, steam shovels and...
, paravane
Paravane (weapon)
The paravane is a form of towed underwater "glider". It was developed by Cdr Usborne and Lt Burney financed by Sir George White, founder of the Bristol Aeroplane Company....
s, and kite
Kite
A kite is a tethered aircraft. The necessary lift that makes the kite wing fly is generated when air flows over and under the kite's wing, producing low pressure above the wing and high pressure below it. This deflection also generates horizontal drag along the direction of the wind...
s. Two 60-kilowatt turbo-generators replaced the three original 25-kilowatt generators to improve capability for sweeping magnetic and acoustic
Acoustic signature
Acoustic signature is used to describe a combination of acoustic emissions of ships and submarines.-Contributing factors:The acoustic signature is made up of a number of individual elements...
mines
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
.
Conversion of the initial seventeen ships was completed in October and November 1940, and included eight Wickes class
Wickes class destroyer
The Wickes-class destroyers were a group of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917-1919. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell class and 155 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, they formed the "flush-deck" or "four-stack" class. Only a few were completed in time to serve in World...
and nine Clemson class destroyers
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
. An additional Wickes class destroyer was converted in 1941. The fictional USS Caine from Herman Wouk
Herman Wouk
Herman Wouk is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American author of novels including The Caine Mutiny, The Winds of War, and War and Remembrance.-Biography:...
's novel The Caine Mutiny
The Caine Mutiny
The Caine Mutiny is a 1952 Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Herman Wouk. The novel grew out of Wouk's personal experiences aboard a destroyer-minesweeper in the Pacific in World War II and deals with, among other things, the moral and ethical decisions made at sea by the captains of ships...
was such a ship. The 24 later ships in the series were Gleaves class destroyers
Gleaves class destroyer
The Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
built during the war.
See also
- List of destroyer-minesweepers