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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

YMS-68



Call sign:
Nan - Item - How - Able

YMS-1 Class Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper:

  • Laid down 22 July 1941 by the Weaver Brothers Shipyards, Orange, TX
  • Launched 24 February 1942
  • Completed 1 August 1942
  • Struck from the Naval Register 3 July 1946
  • Transferred to the State Department, Foreign Liquidation Commission in June 1947
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 270 t.
  • Length 136'
  • Beam 24' 6"
  • Draft 8'
  • Speed 15 kts.
  • Complement 32
  • Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 20mm mounts, and two depth charge projectors
  • Propulsion: Two 880bhp General Motors 8-268A diesel engines, Snow and Knobstedt single reduction gear, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image
    Size Image Description Source
    YMS-68
    YMS-68 60k 24 February 1942
    Weaver Shipyards, Orange, TX
    Courtesy of Dr. Howard C. Williams
    Texana and Orange County Historian
    Curry Garvin
    YMS-68 44k
    YMS-68 41k
    USS YMS-68
    YMS-68 52k From the collection of crew member A. Garito, MoMM3/c Tommy Trampp
    YMS-196 308k 6 May 1946
    Olongapo, Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippine Islands
    John Dever is fourth from the left.
    YMS-68 is astern of YMS-196
    Photo by Leonor Art Studio, Subic City, P. I.
    John Dever

    Commanding Officers
    01LTJG John Howard, Jr., USNR1 August 1942
    Courtesy Joe Radigan

    There is no DANFS history available for YMS-68
    YMS-68 IS LAUNCHED AT WEAVER YARD
    Article from the 25 February 1942 edition of "The Orange Leader", Orange, TX
    Contributed by Curry Garvin

    Orange, Texas, Feb 24: Almost with the setting of the February sun, the "YMS-68" United States Minesweeper took her initial plunge in to the waters of (the) Sabine river on the ways at the Weaver shipyards at 5:55 pm Tuesday. Although almost an everyday affair at Orange the beautiful launching furnished a thrill for a large group of friends, who shivered as the vessel, bedecked with scores of flags of allied nations, started on its journey which will ultimately include the task of sweeping the waters of the sea ahead of great war vessels.

    Mrs. John M.D. Knowles christened the sweeper by crashing across its bow a bottle of champagne. Mrs Knowles, attractive wife of Lieut. John M. D. Knowles, a member of the local Navy staff, carried a bouquet of beautiful red roses.

    Lieut. Knowles presented as the principal speaker of the occasion complimented the Weaver shipyard group from the management to the laborers for the skill and speed shown in turning out this, the third of the 10 minesweepers under contract at this yard. Repeating words of other naval officers, Lieut. Knowles urged that more boats be built "to chase our enemies to the depths of the sea".

    J.H. David, president of the chamber of commerce, who served as the master of ceremonies, paid a high compliment to the Weaver shipyard forces for the magnificent record made, presented the following in addition to the sponsor and speaker: Mr. and Mrs. Joe W. Weaver, Mrs. L. Ed Weaver, Mrs. J.H. David, Lewis Weaver, Miss Anna Weaver, Mrs. G.B. Johnson, Master Skipper Weaver, Lieut. E.B. Roth, Ensign James Baldwin, Jr. and Ensign W.W. Carrol.

    Lieut. (JG) John Howard, Jr. is to be the commanding officer of the YMS-68. Ensign J.J. Summerel to be the second officer.

    Commander E.B. Perry, USN superintendent of all Navy shipbuilding in Texas launching authority, was not present at the launching.

    Archie Weaver, general manager of the ship yard, was absent from the launching having gone to Washington, D.C. two or three days ago.

    A barbeque was served to the shipyard workers and friends immediately after the launching.


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