Mine Force Atlantic Fleet - Naval Cruise Book

 - Class of 1953

Page 17 of 136

 

Mine Force Atlantic Fleet - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1953 Edition, Page 17 of 136
Page 17 of 136



Mine Force Atlantic Fleet - Naval Cruise Book online collection, 1953 Edition, Page 16
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Page 17 text:

HISTORIC CHARLESTON

Page 16 text:

History of the IJ. S. Atlantic Fleet Mine Force Prior to becoming one of the seven type com- mands of the Atlantic Fleet, the U. S. Atlantic Fleet Mine Force was originally a part of the Serv- ice Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and operated during World War II as Service Squadron FIVE. The minelayers and minesweepers under this command performed a valuable job in the African, Mediter- ranean and European Theatres during the last conflict. In late 1945 and early 1946, the Navy Depart- ment decided to incorporate another type command within the fleet to be known as Mine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. From 1 January to 4 January dur- ing the re-establishment of the Mine Force, the command was left under the direct jurisdiction of Commander, Service Force, Atlantic Fleet until a commander could be assigned. On 1 April, 1946 Capt. R. F. Olds, USN, was appointed the first commander of Mine Force, At- lantic Fleet. Temporary headquarters was located in Norfolk, Va., and on 15 June, 1946 was moved to Charleston, S. C. and established at the U. S. Naval Section Base. In September, 1946 the base was officially designated the U. S. Naval Mine- craft Base. The mission of Commander, Mine Force, Atlantic Fleet is to maintain the personnel of the Force in the highest condition of readiness and efficiency, in order that the units of the Force, individually or collectively, may accomplish at any time the missions and tasks assigned. Further, Commander Mine Force has the responsibility to, and acts as principal advisor for the Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet in all matters of offensive and defensive minelaying and mine countermeas- ures operations. The Mine Force is not a small type command. Containing over 70 ships of various types the Force has over 7,500 enlisted men and 630 officers. Berthing facilities include Piers Able and Baker at the Minecraft Base, the Ashley River buoys, dol- phins and quarantine anchorage at the mouth of the Ashley River. Among the ships of the Mine Force are many firsts. One of the most outstanding of these is the USS Ellyson (DMS-19). She is the oldest com- batant U. S. Naval vessel in active commission. She was also the flagship of Destroyer Squadron TEN when that squadron was engaged in a 72- hour chase and sinking of a German submarine in 1944. It is reported to be the longest single sea- chase on record in U. S. Navy files. Other ships of the Mine Force that took part in that historic chase, in company with the Ellyson, are the USS Rodman (DMS-21), the USS Hambleton (DMS- 20) and the USS Macomb (DMS-23), all members of the Atlantic Fleet Mine Force. Another first is claimed by the USS Revenge (AM-110) which was the first U. S. Navy vessel to enter Tokyo Bay after the cessation of hostilities in World War II. The largest single minesweep in the annals of Naval History was conducted by Captain Wayne R. Loud, USN, a former Chief of Staff of the Mine Force. With the destroyer minesweeper Ellyson as flagship, Mine Division SIX swept 7,900 square miles of the East China Sea during World War II, destroying many Japanese mines, thereby removing a serious menace to Allied shipping. Capt. W. J. Richter, USN, another Mine Force Chief of Staff, conducted one of the largest and probably the last surface mine laying operation under war time conditions, aboard the USS Shea in the Pacific during World War II. The Mine Force also has command of the first organized small boat sweeping unit in the Atlantic Fleet, Mine Sweeping Boat Division 101. The Mine Force has the only net tenders in the Atlantic Fleet under its command. It also has a great many of the wooden-hulled auxiliary mine- sweepers that are considered more capable of sweeping any type of mine than any other ship presently in the fleet. Ships of this type are making a new chapter in Naval history in their operations on the Korean coast. The Mine Force also contains supply and repair ships, command ships and yard vessels. Capt. R. F. Olds, the first commander, Mine Force, was advanced to the rank of Rear Admiral while acting in this capacity. Admiral Olds ■was relieved on 3 January, 1948 by Rear Admiral B. Hall Hanlon who was in command of the Mine Force until 4 March, 195 2. He -was relieved at that time by Rear Admiral John Philip Womble, Jr. Admiral Womble commanded the Mine Force for two years, being relieved by Rear Admiral Wil- liam Vincent O ' Regan on 3 March, 1952. The present Commander, Mine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, Rear Admiral Frank T. Watkins, took over the command of the force from Admiral O ' Regan on 31 July, 1952.



Page 18 text:

Life an the Minecraft Base

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