MCS-1 and 2 were converted for mine warfare work in 1963-67 and commissioned for active service. The other three former LSVs (MCS-3 through 5) remained in the Inactive Fleet and have never been converted from their original LSV configuration. Orleans Parish (MCS 6) served the Mine Force under her LST designation for some years before being redesignated. Her bow doors welded shut and her tank deck converted to headquarters, supply, and maintenance spaces, she was an administrative and support ship with no mine warfare capability of her own. Epping Forest (MCS 7) used her LSD well deck to accommodate minesweeping boats (MSB) and minesweeping launches (MSL). She carried 10 MSLs and an Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) unit, and could support two mine countermeasures helicopters.
Catskill and Ozark (MCS 1 and 2) represent the full development of this type. They each carry and operate 20 MSLs and two embarked helicopters as well as an EOD unit. They can provide some logistics support for MSC and MSO type minesweepers, and have a minelaying capability.
The Amphibious Assault Ship (Helicopter) Inchon (LPH 12) was converted to a Mine Countermeasures Ship in March 1995, and designated MCS-12.
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| Catskill Class Mine Countermeasures Support Ship (MCS-1 & MCS-2) Length Overall: 455' 5" Extreme Beam: 60' 2" Displacement: 9,040 tons Max. Draft: 20' Complement: 564 Armament: Two 5"/38 cal. and eight 40mm Designed Speed: 20.3 knots Engines: General Electric Geared Turbines, two shafts Designed Shaft Horsepower: 11,000
MCS-1 Catskill ex LSV-1
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MCS-2 Ozark ex LSV-2
| Osage Class Mine Countermeasures Support Ship | (MCS-3 to MCS-5) Length Overall: 451' 4" Extreme Beam: 60' 3" Displacement: 8,160 tons (MCS-3 & MCS-4), 8,790 tons (MCS-5) Max. Draft: 20' Complement: 564 Armament: Two 5"/38 cal. and four twin 40mm Designed Speed: 20.3 knots Engines: General Electric Geared Turbines, two shafts Designed Shaft Horsepower: 11,000
MCS-3 Osage ex-LSV-3
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MCS-4 Saugus ex LSV-4
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MCS-5 Monitor ex LSV-5
| Orleans Parish Class Mine Countermeasures Support Ship | (MCS-6) Length Overall: 328' Extreme Beam: 50' Displacement: 3,640 tons Max. Draft: 14' Complement: 119 Armament: Two twin 40mm and one single 40mm Designed Speed: 11.6 knots Engines: General Motors 12-567 diesel engines, two shafts Designed Shaft Horsepower: 1,700
MCS-6 Orleans Parish ex-LST-1069 Reclassified T-LST-1069
| Epping Forest Class Mine Countermeasures Support Ship | (MCS-7) Length Overall: 457' 8" Extreme Beam: 72' 1" Displacement: 8,700 tons Max. Draft: 18' Complement: 262 Armament: Two quad 40mm Designed Speed: 15 knots Engines: Two Skinner Uni-Flow reciprocating engines, Geared Turbines, two shafts Designed Shaft Horsepower: 7,400
MCS-7 Epping Forest ex LSD-4
| Inchon Class Mine Countermeasures Support Ship | (MCS-12) Length Overall: 592' Extreme Beam: 105' Displacement: 18,474 tons Max. Draft: 27' Complement: 667 Armament: Two Phalanx Close-in Weapons System and four 25mm Bushmaster cannons Designed Speed: 22 knots Engines: Geared Turbine, one shaft Designed Shaft Horsepower: 22,000
MCS-12 Inchon ex LPH-12
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This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory) |