Endurance (MSO 435) - Naval Cruise Book

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WESTPAC DEPLDYIVIENT 1970-71

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Photo by JC1 lVliIt Harris, USN The keel of the ENDURANCE was laid on 15 January 1952 at J. lVl. lVlartinac Shipbuilding Corporation. of Tacoma, Washington. Launched on 8 August 1952, ENDURANCE was commissioned on 19flVlarch 1954. ENDURANCE is a wooden hull, non-magnetic, ocean going IVlinesweeper. Sheihafsf'sailength:of of 35 feet, a mean draft of-10.5 feet, tons. She has a crew of about 6 men. Her pg-Opulsion powe,rq2g1i.si5QLgprovided speed Packard Diesel engines, which drivefjfitwo con- trollable pitch propellers. She has the ability to sweep all types of influence and contact,jmines., if P 9 ENDURANCE visits many' different ports along the West Coast and has deployed to the Western Pacific several times since commissioning. While in the Western Pacific, ENDURANCE has visited such places as the Philippines, Japan, Guam, Taiwan, Korea, Viet Nam and Hong Kong. The ENDURANCE was presented the Navy Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy for her exceptionally meritorious service during the WESTPAC deployment which ended in August 1966. This gave her the distinction of being the first Minesweeper since the Korean War to receive such an honor. Since commissioning, the USS ENDURANCE has undergone several extensive shipyard overhauls, placing her among the most advanced minesweepers in the world. ln addition to the most modern of influence mine- sweeping equipment, the ENDURANCE has such improvements as the new SOG-14 lVlinehunting Sonar, a greatly enlarged Combat information Center, and the latest sophisticated communications equipment. To increase the safety factor of living within a wooden hull, a light-water firefighting system, similar to those used in the hanger decks of the super carriers, is installed throughout the larger part of the ship.