Puneet Varma (Editor)

USS Magnet (AM 260)

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Name
  
USS Magnet (AM-260)

Commissioned
  
10 March 1944

Struck
  
12 March 1948

Launched
  
5 June 1943

Weight
  
660.4 tons

Laid down
  
13 March 1943

Decommissioned
  
28 August 1945

Construction started
  
13 March 1943

Length
  
56 m

Fate
  
Transferred to the Republic of China, 28 August 1945

Builder
  
American Ship Building Company

Part of
  
United States Fleet Forces Command (1944–1945), Republic of China Navy (1945–1958)

The second USS Magnet (AM-260) 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 Atlantic Ocean.

Career

Magnet was laid down by American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, Ohio, 13 March 1943; launched 5 June 1943; sponsored by Mrs. John J. Boland; and commissioned 10 March 1944, Lt. H. A. Babione in command.

Following commissioning in the 9th Naval District, Magnet steamed down the Mississippi River en route to Norfolk, Virginia, reporting 17 April 1944. After shakedown in the Chesapeake Bay, she joined Mine Division 31 and, for the next 9 months operated out of Recife, Brazil, sweeping the main shipping channels of South American ports. She also escorted convoys to and from the West Indies, patrolled the harbor, and engaged in antisubmarine training.

On 10 March 1945 she was detached from the South Atlantic Forces and assigned to task group TG 23.2 at Miami, Florida. There she served as a school ship until 28 June, when she got underway for Norfolk.

On 18 August, after a brief overhaul, she returned to Miami, where she decommissioned on the 28th. Transferred to the Nationalist Chinese Government under the terms of lend lease the same day, she commissioned in that Navy as Yung Ning. The vessel was officially returned in accordance with the terms of the original loan, and then redelivered to the Republic of China under the Military Assistance Program, 7 February 1948. Magnet was struck from the Navy list 12 March 1948. She is believed to have been scrapped.

References

USS Magnet (AM-260) Wikipedia