Story
This minesweeper was built in 1944 by Stadium Yacht Basin in Cleveland, OH.
Historical Notes
In the 1960s, the ship was largely unchanged from her USN cabin layout beyond removal of her guns. The midship generator room was converted to an instrument room or “doghouse” for the seismic operators. Navy labels remained on doors and hatches; e.g. “Officers Country”; red light switches remained for cabin lights during night operation; the air-operated wheelhouse engine controls remained in use. Miss Juanita was built by the US Navy during World War 2 as a Y-class wooden minesweeper (YMS). Its wartime service, disposal and subsequent ownership is not known before 1962, when Shell Oil Co. bought it and converted it to carry offshore seismic recording instruments and a mile-long cable of geophones. Brought into Canada under Bahamian registry, it participated in Shell’s offshore seismic program on the BC Continental shelf from 1963 to 1967, then transferred to the Atlantic coast to perform similar service for Shell Exploration off Nova Scotia. Its subsequent ownership and status is unknown.
Owners & Masters
navsource.org ↗ states that "She was laid down 9 January 1944 at Stadium Yacht Basin, Cleveland, Ohio.
She was launched 29 June 1944. Completed 10 November 1944 and commissioned USS YMS-417, 11 November 1944. Reclassified as a Motor Minesweeper, AMS-26, 17 February 1947 and named Merganser. Converted to a Coastal Minesweeper (Underwater Locator) and reclassified AMCU-47, 1 October 1954. Reclassified as a Coastal Minehunter, MHC-47, 7 February 1955. Decommissioned 2 April 1958 at San Diego, CA and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group. Struck from the Naval Register 1 May 1959. Sold for scrap 5 May 1960 to Hilburg and Trupin of Los Angeles, CA. Sold again in 1960 to an unknown buyer in the United Kingdom. Sold in 1971 to William F. Craig of Curtice, OH. Converted to a yacht and renamed Miss Juanita."
Armament
One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 20mm mounts and two depth charge projectors
Rebuilds
http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/05026.htm
References
- Robert G. McCandless (Email to Nauticapedia 04/11/2018)
- Postponed Decisions: Petroleum Exploration on Canada’s Western Continental Shelf’ by Robert G. McCandless, BC Studies Number 178 (Summer 2013) p.71-96
- www.navsource.org ↗
- Image courtesy of Robert McCandless
