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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

Bluebird (MSC 121)
ex-AMS-121

Bluebird Class Motor Minesweeper/Coastal Minesweeper: Laid down, 5 February 1952 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA; Launched, 11 May 1953; Commissioned USS Bluebird (AMS 121), 24 July 1953; Reclassified as a Coastal Minesweeper, MSC-121, 7 February 1955; Decommissioned 9 September 1968 and placed in service as a Reserve training ship at Fort Lauderdale, FL; Decommissioned 1 July 1971 at Charleston, SC; Placd in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in December 1971 at Norfolk, VA; Struck from the Navy Register 2 January 1975; Disposed of 1 August 1979 through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for scrap; Sold for to Oskco Edwards in September 1979. Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 330 t.; Length 144' 3"; Beam 28'; Draft 12'; Speed 14 kts; Complement 39; Armament two 20mm mounts, two .50 cal. machine guns, and one 81mm mortar; Propulsion 600hp Packard diesel engines, two shafts.

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for full size image		 Size Image Description Source
Bluebird (AMS 121)
Bluebird 241k Keel laying ceremony for the Bluebird and Cormorant (AMS 122) at Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 5 February 1952. The honorary keel layers are from left to right are: John J. Hefferman, George H. Reeder, Raymond G. Johnson, & Alexander Thaanum.
U.S. Navy photo 11760-2-52		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 378k Bow view of Bluebird on the building ways at Mare Island on 5 February 1952.
U.S. Navy photo 11766-2-52		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 372k Stern view of Bluebird on the building ways at Mare Island just prior to launching on 11 May 1953. Cormorant (AM 122) is to her right.
U.S. Navy photo 17483-5-53		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 675k Bow view of Bluebird on the building ways at Mare Island just prior to launching on 11 May 1953. Cormorant (AM 122) is to her left.
U.S. Navy photo 17484-5-53		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 182k Mrs. George C. Demmon christens the Bluebird at Mare Island on 11 May 1953. From left to right are: Mrs. Richard T. Debruyn (Matron of Honor), Mrs. Demmon (Sponsor) and RADM A. M. Morgan (Shipyard Commander).
U.S. Navy photo 17497-5-53		 Darryl Baker
USS Bluebird (AMS 121)
Bluebird 162k Broadside view of Bluebird off south end of Mare Island on 29 September 1953.
U.S. Navy photo 18783-9-53		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 152k Stern view of Bluebird off south end of Mare Island on 29 September 1953.
U.S. Navy photo 18785-9-53		 Darryl Baker
Bluebird 509k Bow view of Bluebird off south end of Mare Island on 29 September 1953.
U.S. Navy photo 18786-9-53		 Darryl Baker
USS Bluebird (MSC 121)
Bluebird 95k USN Minecraft Base, Charleston, SC. View of Pier Baker from Ashley Riverw showing crowded mooring condition at pier.
U.S. Navy photo		 Robert Hall
View the Bluebird (MSC 121)
DANFS history entry located on the Naval Historical Center 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 Motor Minesweeper (AMS) Photo Index Back to the Coastal Minesweeper (MSC) Photo Index
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