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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

MSC-135
ex-AMS-135


MSC-135 was built for Italy.



Pioppo call sign:
India - Hotel - Lima - Oscar
Adjutant Class Motor Minesweeper:

  • Laid down as AMS-135 by the Bellingham Shipyard Co., Bellingham, WA
  • Launched 15 August 1953
  • Completed 30 June 1954 and transferred to Italy
  • Commissioned Pioppo (M 5515), 31 July 1954
  • Reclassified by U. S. Navy as a Coastal Minesweeper, MSC-135, 7 February 1955
  • Reclassified as an Oceanographic Survey Ship, A-5307 in 1973
  • Scrapped in 2002.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 362 t.
  • Length 144' 3"
  • Beam 27' 2"
  • Draft 12'
  • Speed 13 kts.
  • Complement 40
  • Armament: One twin 20mm mount
  • Propulsion: Two General Motors diesel engines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Pioppo (M 5515)
    MSC-135 294k 22 April 1957
    Genoa, Italy    		 Carlo Martinelli
    MSC-135 242k 22 April 1957
    Genoa, Italy
    Storione (M 5431), ex-MSO-506 is on the right
    MSC-135 124k c. 1969
    Italian Navy photo from the 1969/1970 edition of Jane's Fighting Ships    		 Robert Hurst
    Pioppo (A 5307)
    MSC-135 347k 15 February 1992
    Genoa, Italy    		 Carlo Martinelli
    There is no DANFS history available for MSC-135
    Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
    Naval Minewarfare Association
    Association of Minemen
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