MSC290 U.S.S. Gannet MSC-290 (Coastal Minesweepers are mostly wooden and named after birds)
Served on her 1967-69 as Radioman/Cryptographer and as backup for the Radarman, Sonarman, and Electronics Tech .
Built By ...Tacoma, B. B. Co., Tacoma, Washington
Launched ...May 2, 1960
Commissioned ...July 14, 1961
Length ...145 3/4' Beam ...28'
Diesel Engine Powered Speed...13.3 kts
Displacement ...400t
Armament ...1-81 MM mortar, 3-50 cal. machine guns, 2-30 cal. machine guns
Total crew ...20
Moto of the Mine Force "Where the fleet goes, we've been!"
The second ship to bear the name of a sea bird of the North Atlantic, Gannet belonged to the class of wood and non-magnetic metal constructed minesweepers. Following commissioning she served with Mine Squadron 9 in Long Beach, Calif. In July 1962 she left Long Beach with Mine Division 92 for transit to WESTPAC where in August she joined Mine Division 32, home-ported in Sasebo, Japan.
Gannet participated in minesweeping exercises with naval units of Japan, Korea, Republic of China, Phillipines, Thailand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These exercises, combined with special operations in Vietnam and a variety of port visits, have taken Gannet to much of the Western Pacific.
