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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

LCI(L) / LSIL-884
Longspur (AMCU / MHC 28)


LCI(L)-351 Class Landing Craft, Infantry (Large) / AMCU-7 Class Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator): Laid down, 22 September 1944 by the New Jersey Shipbuilding Co., Barber, NJ; Launched, 20 October 1944; Commissioned USS LCI(L)-884, 27 October 1944; Decommissioned, 24 March 1947; Reclassified a Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) LSIL-844, 28 February 1949; Named Longspur and reclassified as a Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator) AMCU-28, 7 March 1952; Conversion to AMCU-28 began, 15 November 1953 at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, SC; Conversion completed, 15 May 1954; Recommissioned, June 1952; Reclassified as a Minehunter, Coastal MHC-28, 7 February 1953; Decommissioned, 1 January 1954; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 January 1960; Sold for scrap, 18 May 1960 to Mills Marine Co. LCI(L)-884 received one battle star for World War II service.

LCI(L)-884 Specifications: Displacement 200 t.; Length 159'; Beam 23' 8"; Draft 6'; Speed 14 kts; Complement 239; Armament five 20-mm mounts; Propulsion General Motors diesel engines, 1,800shp, two shafts.

AMCU-28 Specifications: Displacement 260 t.; Length 159'; Beam 23' 8"; Draft 5' 8"; Speed 14.4 kts; Complement 41; Armament two 20-mm mounts; Propulsion General Motors diesel engines, 1,800shp, two shafts.
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Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships History: The second Longspur was laid down as LCI(L)-884 by New Jersey Shipbuilding Co., Barber, N.J., 22 September 1944; launched 20 October 1944; and commissioned 27 October 1944, Lt. (jg.) R. G. Townsend in command.

After shakedown LCI(L)-884 departed Norfolk 25 November, steamed through the Panama Canal. and arrived San Diego 20 December. Following additional training off the west coast, the landing craft sailed 6 March 1945 for the Marianias, arriving Guam 8 April. Two weeks later she was en route to Okinawa, where U.S. Forces were already engaged in the most extensive campaign of the Pacific war.

Upon her arrival 28 April LCI(L)-884 was assigned mail delivery and smoke station duty for large ships operating off Okinawa. She remained in the vicinity for the rest of the war, playing an important part for the fieet in aiding it against the victorious struggle against the Japanese Empire.

After the war she operated as a mine destruction vessel out of Nagasaki and Sasebo, remaining in Japan until December. Early in 1946, LCI(L)-884 returned to the United States and decommissioned 24 March 1947, joining the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Fla. She was reclassified LSIL-884 28 February 1949.

LSIL-884 was named and redesignated Longspur (AMCU-28) 7 March 1952. Recommissioned in June 1952, Longspur was assigned to the 6th Naval District for harbor defense. Reclassified MHC-28 on 7 February 1953, she continued operations out of Charleston until 1 January 1954. Decommissioned the first of the year, she joined the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Charleston, S.C. Struck 1 January 1960, Longspur was sold to Mills Marine Co., 18 May 1960 and was towed away for scrap 22 June 1960.

LCl(L)-884 received one battle star for World War II service.

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

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Naval Minewarfare Association
Association of Minemen
USS Landing Craft Infantry National Association
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Mine Warfare Ship Photo Index Back To The Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator) - (AMCU) / Coastal Minehunter (MHC) Photo Index Back To The Landing Ship Infantry (LSI) Photo Index

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