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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

Pipit (AMc 1)



Call sign:
Nan - Item - Queen - George


Pipit Class Coastal Minesweeper:

  • Laid down in 1936 as Spartan by the Martinolich Shipyard, Tacoma, WA for Anton Sumic of Seattle, WA
  • Acquired by the Navy 18 October 1940
  • Placed in service as USS Pipit (AMc 1), 28 March 1941
  • Placed out of service 6 October 1944 at San Diego, CA
  • Struck from the Naval Register 22 December 1944
  • Transferred to the War Shipping Administration in February 1945 and returned to her owner
  • Acquired in 1945 by John Radine of San Pedro, CA for use as a fishing boat and renamed Calsea
  • Acquired in 1946 by Frank J. Rodrigues of San Pedro
  • Acquired in 1949 by Joe Lewis of San Diego, CA
  • Renamed Steven L. in 1950
  • Stranded 7 July 1952 approximately 18 miles north of Cabo San Lázaro, Baja California, Mexico.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 210 t.
  • Length 83' 11"
  • Beam 22' 6"
  • Speed 10 kts.
  • Armament: Two .30 cal. machine guns
  • Propulsion: Diesel, one shaft.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Pipit 42k
    Namesake:

    Pipit - Small bird with narrow bill, streaked breast, and constantly wagging tail

    		 Tommy Trampp
    Photo added 8 December 2021
    Pipit 55k 1 August 1941 Original photo: Gunter Krebs
    Replacement photo: Robert Hurst
    View the Pipit (AMc 1)
    DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway web site
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