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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

Defense (MSF 317)
ex-AM-317



Call sign:
November - Charlie - India - Victor

ex-HMS Amity (BAM 4)


Defense served the Navies of the United States and Mexico.
Auk Class Minesweeper: Laid down 2 October 1942 as HMS Amity (BAM 4) by the General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, CA; Renamed and reclassified Defense (AM 317), 23 January 1943; Launched, 18 February 1943; Commissioned USS Defense (AM-317), 10 January 1944; Placed out of commission, in reserve, 31 May 1946 at San Diego, CA and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 10 February 1952 at Long Beach, CA; Reclassified Fleet Minesweeper (Steel Hull), MSF-317, 7 February 1955; Placed out of commission, in reserve, 15 April 1955 at Long Beach and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Sold to Mexico 3 January 1973 as ARM Manuel Doblado (C-73); Reclassified P-104 and G-05. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 890 t.; Length 221' 2"; Beam 32' 2"; Draft 10' 9"; Speed 18.1 kts; Complement 105; Armament one 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two twin 40mm gun mounts, two single 20mm gun mounts, two dcpth charge tracks, five depth charge projectiles; Propulsion two 2,976shp Baldwin VO8 diesel electric drive engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear, two shafts.

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For Full Size Image		 Size Image Description Source
USS Defense (AM 317)
Defense 24k - USS Defense (AM-317)
Web Site
Defense 14k - USS Defense (AM-317)
Web Site
Defense 230k 17 March 1944. Roy Cordell
© National Archives.
Defense 79k 30 September 1945 Robert Hurst
Defense 144k Photographed circa 1952, shortly after she was recommissioned for Korean War service.
U.S. Navy photo NH 96912		 Naval Historical Center
Defense 73k At Sasebo, Japan, with nine minesweepers and a harbor tug alongside. Original photo is dated 8 October 1952. Ships nested to left of Laertes (AR 20) are (from left): Impeccable (AM-320); Gladiator (AM-319); Shoveler (AM-382); Defense and Devastator (AM-318). Those nested to right are (from left): Condor (AMS-5); Kite (AMS-22); Curlew (AMS-8); Chatterer (AMS-40), and Wallacut (YTB-420)
U.S. Navy photo 80-G-63229		 Naval Historical Center
ARM Manuel Doblado (P 104)
Defense 66k Mexican Navy photo Mexican Navy
View the Defense (MSF 317)
DANFS History entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Defense (AM-317) and W. D. Cordell
Naval Minewarfare Association
Association of Minemen
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