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MV Regency Bell, a BYMS converted in 1951 to carry up to 450 passengers running cruises round Torbay and up the river Dart in 1954.

Picture©David Moxley

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YMS-362 sweeping mines in support of the invasion of Iwo Jima, February 17th, 1945

Picture©NationalArchivesPhoto

#80-G-303838

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The loss of USS Grouse (AMS-15, ex YMS-321) at Rockport, Massachusetss, USA, September 21st, 1963.

Picture©BillCarterCollection

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The launch of YMS-1 at the yard of Henry B. Nevins Inc., City Island, NewYork, January 10th, 1942.

Picture©CityIslandNauticalMuseum

 
 

The wood-hulled YMS proved to be one of the U.S. Navy's more durable and versatile types through a quarter-century of service, filling a variety of roles for a number of navies.

All 481 (561 including 80 BYMS) ships of this type had the same general characteristics. The only significant variation within the type was one of appearance; YMS-1 through 134 (and BYMS-1 through 30) had two stacks, YMS-135 through 445, 480, and 481(and BYMS-31 through 80) had one, while YMS-446 through 479 had none. Originally rated as service craft, they were used during World War II for inshore sweeping to prepare the way for amphibious assaults. Ruff (MSCO-54), originally YMS-327, the last of its kind in U.S.

service, was struck from the Navy List in November 1969.


Displacement: 320 tons (full)

Length: 136'

Beam: 24'6"

Draft: 6'1"

Speed: 13 knots

Armament: 1 3"/50, 2 20mm

Completement: 3(4) officers, 29 crew

Diesel engines, twin screws, 2x 500hp


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More information and many pictures

561 ‘Wooden Dreadnaughts’