Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.


NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

AM / MSF-317 Defense



Call sign:
November - Charlie - India - Victor



Defense served the Navies of the United States and Mexico.

Auk Class Minesweeper: Laid down 2 October 1942 as HMS Amity (BAM 4) by the General Engineering and Dry Dock Co., Alameda, CA; Renamed and reclassified Defense (AM 317) 23 January 1943; Launched, 18 February 1943; Commissioned USS Defense (AM-317), 10 January 1944; Placed out of commission, in reserve, 31 May 1946 at San Diego, CA and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 10 February 1952 at Long Beach, CA; Reclassified Fleet Minesweeper (Steel-hulled) MSF-317, 7 February 1955; Placed out of commission, in reserve, 15 April 1955 at Long Beach, CA and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Sold to Mexico 3 January 1973 and renamed Manuel Doblado (C-73); Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown); Reclassified P-104, (date unknown). Fate unknown.

Specifications: Displacement 890 t.; Length 221' 3"; Beam 32'; Draft 10' 9"; Speed 18 kts; Complement 105; Armament one single 3"/50 gun mount, two twin 40mm gun mounts, two single 20mm gun mounts, two dcpth charge tracks, five depth charge projectiles; Propulsion two diesel engines, two shafts.


Click On Image
For Full Size Image
Size Image Description Source
Defense 24k - USS Defense (AM-317)
Web Site
Defense 14k - USS Defense (AM-317)
Web Site
Defense 230k Underway, March 17 1944. Roy Cordell
© National Archives.
Defense 144k Photographed circa 1952, shortly after she was recommissioned for Korean War service.
US Navy Photo NH 96912
Naval Historical Center
Defense 73k At Sasebo, Japan, with nine minesweepers and a harbor tug alongside. Original photo is dated 8 October 1952. Ships nested to left of Laertes
(AR 20)
are (from left): Impeccable (AM-320); Gladiator (AM-319); Shoveler (AM-382); Defense and Devastator (AM-318). Those nested to right are (from left): Condor (AMS-5); Kite (AMS-22); Curlew (AMS-8); Chatterer (AMS-40), and Wallacut (YTB-420)
US Navy Photo 80-G-63229
Naval Historical Center
Defense 66k Manuel Doblado (P 104) Mexican Navy

View the Defense (AM / MSF-317)
DANFS History entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site. The main archive for the DANFS Online Project.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Defense (AM-317) and W. D. Cordell
Naval Minewarfare Association
Association of Minemen
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Mine Warfare Ship Photo Index Back to the Minesweeper (AM) Photo Index

Problems and site related matters, E-mail WebmasterWebmaster

This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Joe Radigan
© 1999-2003 Gary P. Priolo © 1999-2003 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.