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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

Waxbill (MHC 50)
ex-AMCU-50
ex-AMS-39
ex-YMS-479



YMS-479 call sign:
November - Quebec - Zulu - Zulu

ex-PCS-1456

YMS-1 Class Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper: Laid down as PCS-1456, 28 April 1943 at Mojean and Ericson Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma WA; Reclassified as an Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper YMS-479, 27 September 1943; Launched, 30 September, 1943; Completed and commissioned USS YMS-479, 20 July 1943; Decommissioned, 6 August 1946 at San Diego, CA; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group; Reclassified as a Motor Minesweeper, and named Waxbill (AMS-39), 18 February 1947; Placed in service, 19 January 1950 for duty as a Naval Reserve training ship at Seattle, Washington; Placed in commission, in reserve, 1 September 1950; Recommissioned, 25 September 1950; Converted to a Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator), AMCU-50, 1 February 1955; Reclassified as a Coastal Minehunter, MHC-50, 7 February 1955; Decommissioned, 30 June 1958 at Stockton, CA; Struck from the Navy Register 1 November 1959. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 270 t.; Length 136'; Beam 24' 6"; Draft 8'; Speed 15 kts; Complement 32; Armament one single 3"/50 gun mount, two 20mm, two dcp; 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
USS YMS-479
Waxbill 487k 24 July 1944
Moored astern of St. George (AV 16) during her commissioning ceremony at Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. Inc., Tacoma, WA.
U.S. Navy photo		 David Buell/font>
Waxbill 117k In San Francisco Bay, upon her return to the U.S. after the end of World War II, circa 1945-46.
U.S. Navy photo NH 79716		 Naval Historical Center
USS Waxbill (AMS 39)
Waxbill 117k Waxbill berthed at the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Training Center, Seattle, Washington, c. April 1949. She had recently been attached to the Center to replace PC-786 in training Seattle-area Naval Reservists.
U.S. Navy photo NH 96981		 Naval Historical Center
Waxbill 91k Waxbill maneuvering and laying a smokescreen while under fire from enemy shore batteries off Wonson, North Korea, 12 December 1952
National Archives photo 80-G-477118		 Naval Historical Center
Waxbill 98k Waxbill laying a smokescreen while under fire from enemy shore batteries off Wonson, North Korea, 12 December 1952.
National Archives photo 80-G-477119		 US Naval Historical Center
View the Waxbill (MHC 50)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway web site.
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Naval Minewarfare Association
Association of Minemen
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Mine Warfare Ship Photo Index Back To The Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper (YMS) Photo Index Back to the Motor Minesweeper (AMS) Photo Index Back to the Minehunter (AMCU)/Coastal Minehunter (MHC) Photo Index
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This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan
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