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NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive

YMS-68

Call sign:
Nan - Item - How - Able

YMS-1 Class Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper:

Laid down 22 July 1941 by the Weaver Brothers Shipyards, Orange, TX

Launched 24 February 1942

Completed 1 August 1942

Struck from the Naval Register 3 July 1946

Transferred to the State Department, Foreign Liquidation Commission in June 1947

Fate unknown.

Specifications:

Displacement 270 t.

Length 136'

Beam 24' 6"

Draft 8'

Speed 15 kts.

Complement 32

Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 20mm mounts, and two depth charge projectors

Propulsion: Two 880bhp General Motors 8-268A diesel engines, Snow and Knobstedt single reduction gear, two shafts.

Click on thumbnail for full size image	Size	Image Description	Source
YMS-68
	60k	24 February 1942 Weaver Shipyards, Orange, TX Courtesy of Dr. Howard C. Williams Texana and Orange County Historian	Curry Garvin
	44k
	41k
USS YMS-68
	52k	From the collection of crew member A. Garito, MoMM3/c	Tommy Trampp
	308k	6 May 1946 Olongapo, Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippine Islands John Dever is fourth from the left. YMS-68 is astern of YMS-196 Photo by Leonor Art Studio, Subic City, P. I.	John Dever

Commanding Officers
01	LTJG John Howard, Jr., USNR	1 August 1942

Courtesy Joe Radigan

There is no DANFS history available for YMS-68

YMS-68 IS LAUNCHED AT WEAVER YARD
Article from the 25 February 1942 edition of "The Orange Leader", Orange, TX
Contributed by Curry Garvin

Orange, Texas, Feb 24: Almost with the setting of the February sun, the "YMS-68" United States Minesweeper took her initial plunge in to the waters of (the) Sabine river on the ways at the Weaver shipyards at 5:55 pm Tuesday. Although almost an everyday affair at Orange the beautiful launching furnished a thrill for a large group of friends, who shivered as the vessel, bedecked with scores of flags of allied nations, started on its journey which will ultimately include the task of sweeping the waters of the sea ahead of great war vessels.

Mrs. John M.D. Knowles christened the sweeper by crashing across its bow a bottle of champagne. Mrs Knowles, attractive wife of Lieut. John M. D. Knowles, a member of the local Navy staff, carried a bouquet of beautiful red roses.

Lieut. Knowles presented as the principal speaker of the occasion complimented the Weaver shipyard group from the management to the laborers for the skill and speed shown in turning out this, the third of the 10 minesweepers under contract at this yard. Repeating words of other naval officers, Lieut. Knowles urged that more boats be built "to chase our enemies to the depths of the sea".

J.H. David, president of the chamber of commerce, who served as the master of ceremonies, paid a high compliment to the Weaver shipyard forces for the magnificent record made, presented the following in addition to the sponsor and speaker: Mr. and Mrs. Joe W. Weaver, Mrs. L. Ed Weaver, Mrs. J.H. David, Lewis Weaver, Miss Anna Weaver, Mrs. G.B. Johnson, Master Skipper Weaver, Lieut. E.B. Roth, Ensign James Baldwin, Jr. and Ensign W.W. Carrol.

Lieut. (JG) John Howard, Jr. is to be the commanding officer of the YMS-68. Ensign J.J. Summerel to be the second officer.

Commander E.B. Perry, USN superintendent of all Navy shipbuilding in Texas launching authority, was not present at the launching.

Archie Weaver, general manager of the ship yard, was absent from the launching having gone to Washington, D.C. two or three days ago.

A barbeque was served to the shipyard workers and friends immediately after the launching.

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