USS Chimango (AMc-42)

For other ships with the same name, see USS Chimango.

USS Chimango (AMc-42) was an Accentor-class coastal minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. The vessel was named after the chimango, a medium-sized South American bird of prey.

History
United States
Name	Chimango
Namesake	Bird: Chimango
Laid down	date unknown
Launched	8 March 1941
Commissioned	3 June 1941
Decommissioned	15 June 1942
In service	15 June 1942
Out of service	20 December 1945
Stricken	date unknown
Fate	Transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 21 August 1947
General characteristics
Displacement	205 tons
Length	97 ft 5 in (29.69 m)
Beam	22 ft 5 in (6.83 m)
Draft	8 ft 11 in (2.72 m)
Speed	10.0 knots
Complement	17
Armament	two .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns

The first ship to be named Chimango by the Navy, AMC-42 was launched 8 March 1941 by Gibbs Gas Engine Co., Jacksonville, Florida, and commissioned 3 June 1941.

World War II service

Chimango had training at Mine Warfare Base, Yorktown, Virginia, until 26 July 1941 when she rendezvoused with USS Goldfinch (AM-77) and USS Jacamar (AMc-47) to sail to Argentia, Newfoundland.

From 2 August she operated off this new base laying buoys, taking part in minesweeping exercises, and recovering gear in Placentia Bay, until 5 October when she sailed for Casco Bay, Maine, and sweeping operations and patrols along the Maine coast. She also received aboard daily armed guard parties from merchant ships for instruction.

Inservice activities

On 15 June 1942 she was decommissioned but placed in service, and continued to operate on minesweeping and patrol duty at New York and Charleston, South Carolina, until 20 December 1945.

Deactivation

She was transferred to the Maritime Commission for disposal 21 August 1947.

References

 This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

External links

• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
• Photo gallery of USS Chimango (AMc-42) at NavSource Naval History