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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

AM / MSF / ADG-383 Surfbird



Call sign: November - India - Foxtrot - Echo



Auk Class Minesweeper: Laid down, 15 February 1944 at American Shipbuilding Co., Lorain, OH; Launched, 31 August 1944; Commissioned USS Surfbird (AM-383), 25 November 1944; Decommissioned, 5 June 1946 at San Diego CA; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 14 March 1952 at San Diego, CA; Reclassified as a Fleet Minesweeper (Steel-hulled) MSF-384, 7 February 1955; Reclassified as a Degaussing Ship ADG-383, 15 June 1957; Decommissioned, 18 December 1970 at Bremerton, WA; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Struck from the Naval Register, 21 February 1975; Transferred to MARAD in 1976 for disposal; Sold by MARAD into mercantile service, 1 December 1975; Renamed Helenka B. 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 depth charge tracks, five depth charge projectiles; Propulsion two 3, 532 shp General Motors diesel engines, two shafts.
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Size Image Description Source
Surfbird 65k Commissioning photo USS Surfbird (AM-383)
web site
Courtesy Ed Fournier
crew member 1944-46
Surfbird 62k Seen here as ADG-383 USS Surfbird (AM-383)
web site
Courtesy Wes Chapman
crew member 1956-59
Surfbird 80k Seen here as ADG-383 USS Surfbird (AM-383)
web site
Courtesy Don Gillispie
crew member 1960-63

View the Surfbird (AM/MSF/ADG-383)
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 Surfbird AM/MSF/ADG-383 "Proud Lady of the Orient"
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 Back to the Service Force Ship Photo Index Back to the Degaussing Ship (ADG) Photo Index

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This page created by Gary P. Priolo and maintained by Joe Radigan
© 1999-2002 Gary P. Priolo © 1999-2002 NavSource Naval History. All Rights Reserved.