USS Gypsy (ARSD-1) Class

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USS Gypsy (ARSD-1) on 25 June 1947
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.

Class:        GYPSY (ARSD-1)
Design:        Navy LSM
Displacement (tons):        816 light, 1,080 lim.
Dimensions (feet):        224.25' oa, 195.4' pp x 34.0' e x 7.1' lim
Original Armament:        1-20mmT (ARSD 1-2, 1952)
Later armaments:        --
Complement:        --
Speed (kts.):        13.2
Propulsion (HP):        2,800
Machinery:        Diesel, 2 screws

Construction:

ARSD	Name	Reclas.	Builder	Keel	Launch	Commiss.
1	GYPSY	24 Apr 45	Brown SB, Houston	25 Aug 45	7 Dec 45	28 Feb 46
2	MENDER	24 Apr 45	Brown SB, Houston	25 Aug 45	7 Dec 45	8 Mar 46
3	SALVAGER	24 Apr 45	Brown SB, Houston	27 Aug 45	7 Dec 45	22 Mar 46
4	WINDLASS	24 Apr 45	Brown SB, Houston	27 Aug 45	7 Dec 45	9 Apr 46

Disposition:

ARSD	Name	Decomm.	Strike	Disposal	Fate	MA Sale
1	GYPSY	1955	1 Jun 73	29 Jan 74	Sold	--
2	MENDER	20 Dec 55	1 Jun 73	29 Jan 74	Sold	--
3	SALVAGER	23 Nov 65	1 Aug 72	6 Mar 73	Sold	--
4	WINDLASS	23 Nov 65	1 Aug 72	6 Mar 73	Sold	--

Class Notes:
FY 1944. On 9 May 1944 CNO directed the construction of 100 LSM's, including LSM 459-552 at Brown SB, Houston and LSM 553-558 at the Charleston Navy Yard. The Brown ships were awarded in two groups, the second being LSM 499-552 on 30 Aug 44. Of this group, many were later designated for construction to extensively modified designs, LSM 501-536 becoming LSMR's on 9 Feb 45 (LSMR 501-24) and 21 Apr 45 and LSM 549-52 becoming ARSD 1-4 on 21 Apr 45.

The four ARSD conversions may have been part of a larger effort to increase salvage lift capabilities late in the war. On 24 May 45 BuShips informed ComServPac that, as a means whereby lifts might be made of submerged objects weighing up to about 150 tons, it had designed two types of lifting horns, one for installation on the stern of an LSM and one for installation on the bow of an LST. These were temporary fittings to be fabricated and installed in the field as needed, and the Bureau asked for a full report if any were ever made and used.

The authorized armament of the ARSD-1 class as built was two 20mm singles. It was changed in around 1947 to one 20mm twin, but only ARSD 1-2 appear actually to have ever received any weapons. The length of ARSD 1-2 was also recorded as 231.2' oa. The overall length of a regular LSM (without bow horns, etc.) was 203.4'.

Ship Notes:

ARSD	Name	Notes
1	GYPSY	Ex-LSM-549 24 Apr 45. In USN reserve 1947-51 (decommissioned 21 Jan 48, recommissioned 8 Aug 51) and 1955-73.
2	MENDER	Ex-LSM-550 24 Apr 45. In USN reserve 1947-51 (decommissioned 21 Jan 48, recommissioned 12 Sep 51) and 1955-73.
3	SALVAGER	Ex-LSM-551 24 Apr 45. Decommissioned 1965 and custody passed to salvage contractor Merritt Chapman & Scott Corp. To YMLC-3 1 Nov 67.
4	WINDLASS	Ex-LSM-552 24 Apr 45. Decommissioned 1965 and custody passed to salvage contractor Merritt Chapman & Scott Corp. To YMLC-4 1 Nov 67. Sunk in the Ham Luong River, South Vietnam, 15 Nov 68 and stricken 1 Jan 69. Raised, stricken again and sold.