USS Chauvenet (AGS-11) Class

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USS Harkness (AGS-12) circa 1946
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        CHAUVENET (AGS-11)
Design:        Navy 136' YMS
Displacement (tons):        252 light, 340 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        136.0' oa, 130.0' wl x 23.3' e x 8.6' lim.
Original Armament:        1-3"/50 2-20mm
Later armaments:        none (1951: AGS 12-13)
Complement:        --
Speed (kts.):        14.1
Propulsion (HP):        1,000
Machinery:        G.M. diesels, 2 screws

Construction:

AGS	Name	Reclas.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
11	CHAUVENET	20 Mar 45	Hiltebrant DD	3 Apr 42	10 Aug 42	22 Mar 43
12	HARKNESS	20 Mar 45	Tacoma Boat, Tacoma	1 Jun 42	10 Oct 42	27 Mar 43
13	JAMES M. GILLISS	20 Mar 45	South Coast	21 Aug 42	2 Nov 42	11 Aug 43
14	SIMON NEWCOMB	20 Mar 45	South Coast	6 Sep 42	24 Dec 42	15 Sep 43

Disposition:

AGS	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
11	CHAUVENET	23 Apr 46	3 Jul 46	5 Feb 47	MC/S	5 Feb 47
12	HARKNESS	3 Feb 58	1 Nov 59	16 Nov 60	Sold	--
13	JAMES M. GILLISS	7 Aug 58	1 Jan 60	17 Jun 60	Sold	--
14	SIMON NEWCOMB	10 Nov 49	31 Jan 50	25 Apr 50	Sold	--

Class Notes:
FY 1942 (as YMS). All were taken from a group of 150 136-foot wooden-hulled minesweepers (YMS 135-284) whose construction was directed on 17 Jan 42. All were commissioned as YMS. On 9 Jan 45 CinCPac recommended the conversion of YMS 195, 242, 262, and 263, then under overhaul at private yards in the San Pedro area, for use as Amphibious Hydrographic Survey Ships, and on 16 Jan 45 CominCh authorized and directed the VCNO to carry out the conversions. The CNO directive for the conversion followed on 18 Jan 45. The converted military characteristics, personnel allowance and equipment of these vessels was to be as similar as was practicable to the four PCS, 1388, 1396, 1404, and 1457, previously converted and outfitted as Hydrographic Survey Ships. This was possible because the YMS and PCS shared the same 136-foot hull design. All minesweeping gear was to be removed during the conversion, although the gun armaments were to be retained. They were reclassified AGS on 26 Feb 45 effective 20 Mar 45 and their names were assigned on 23 Mar 45. AGSC 12-13 were reclassified AMCU 12-13 and had mine locating sonar (AN/UQS-1) installed in Fiscal Year 1952 (scheduled for 15 Dec 51 to 15 Mar 52 for both, AMCU-13 to be done at NSY New York). This AMCU program also called for the conversion of one former PCS to AMCU-14 and 28 LCIL to AMCU 15-42, although it was later reduced and modified. All ships of the AMCU type were reclassified MHC in 1955.

Ship Notes:

AGS	Name	Notes
11	CHAUVENET	Ex YMS-195 20 Mar 45. Converted by Harbor Boat Bldg. Co., Terminal Island, Calif. Jan-Apr 45. On disposal list Mar 46 and not reclassified AGSC. Sold (delivered) by MC to Arthur H. Monroe. Merc. ZIPPER 1947.
12	HARKNESS	Ex YMS-242 20 Mar 45. Converted by South Coast Co., Newport Beach, Calif. Jan-Apr 45. To AGSC-12 29 Jul 46. Decomm. 23 Sep 50 (in commission in reserve), to AMCU-12 18 Aug 51, recomm. 5 Sep 51. To MHC-12 7 Feb 55.
13	JAMES M. GILLISS	Ex YMS-262. Converted by Wilmington Boat Works, Wilmington, Calif. Jan-Apr 45. To AGSC-13 29 Jul 46. Decomm. ca. Sep 50, to AMCU-13 18 Aug 51, recomm. 5 Sep 51. To MHC-13 7 Feb 55.
14	SIMON NEWCOMB	Ex YMS-263. Converted by Wilmington Boat Works, Wilmington, Calif. Jan-Apr 45. To AGSC-14 29 Jul 46. Grounded at Mother Burns Cove, Labrador 9 Aug 49; refloated 19 Aug but constructive total loss. To buyer 6 Jun 50.