USS YMS-359 | Historical archives | Underwater images/video | Exploration updates

The USS YMS-359:

• Displacement: 270 tons
• Length: 136 feet
• Beam: 24 feet, 6 inches
• Draft: 6 feet, 1 inch
• Speed: 13 knots
• Armament: 1 3"/50mm gun & 2 20mm guns, 2 depth charge tracks plus 2 extensions, and 2 depth charge projectors
• Complement: 4 officers, 29 crew
• Diesel engines, twin screws, 500 horse power each

The wooden-hulled YMS auxiliary motor minesweeper was one of the more durable and versatile ships built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The first YMS was completed in March 1942. A total of 481 ships of this type were built at various shipyards on the East and West Coasts of the United States. The only significant variation within the type was one of appearance; YMS-1 through 134 had two stacks, YMS-135 through 445, 480, and 481 had one, while YMS-446 through 479 had none. Originally rated as service craft, the YMS were used during World War II for inshore mine sweeping to prepare the way for amphibious assaults. The YMS were also used by the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Ruff (MSCO-54), originally YMS-327, the last of its kind in U.S. service, was struck from the Navy List in November 1969.

We have not been able to locate a photograph of YMS-359. However, its appearance would have been similar to the photograph above and on these pages.