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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

MSC-243
ex-AMS-243


AMS-243 was built in France.
AMS-172 Class Motor Minesweeper:

  • Laid down in June 1952 as AMS-243 by DTCN (Direction Technique des Constructions Navales), Cherbourg, France under the off-shore procurement plan of the Military Defense Assistance Pact
  • Launched 13 May 1953
  • Completed 3 December 1953
  • Commissioned Rigel (M 702), 25 September 1954
  • Reclassified by U.S. Navy as a Coastal Minesweeper, MSC-243, 7 February 1955
  • Fate unknown.

    Specifications:

  • Displacement 375 t.
  • Length 144'
  • Beam 27'
  • Draft 8' 3"
  • Speed 14 kts.
  • Complement 39
  • Armament: One 20mm mount
  • Propulsion: Two General Motors diesel engines, two shafts.
    Click on thumbnail
    for full size image    		 Size Image Description Source
    Minesweeper Ceremony
    110524300    		 1.29k Minesweeper Ceremony showing Rigel ((M-702) on the port side & Cassiopee ((M-740) starboard, circa 1953. Photo from Record Group 286: Records of the Agency for International Development.
    Series: Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel.
    National Archives Identifier: 19989189
    Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
    Minesweeper Ceremony
    110524600    		 1.39k Minesweeper Ceremony showing 4 boats: From left to right, front to back: Unknown, Cassiopee ((M-740), what looks to be Sirius ((M-701), & Castor (M-708), circa 1953. Photo from Record Group 286: Records of the Agency for International Development.
    Series: Photographs of Marshall Plan Programs, Exhibits, and Personnel.
    National Archives Identifier: 19989187
    Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
    MSC-243 119k Photo by Marine Nationale Robert Hurst
    There is no DANFS History currently available for MSC-243
    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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