![]() ![]() Her first duties were in training and, later, convoy support.© She was formally commissioned for service on February 29th, 1944. Her hull was laid down by Savannah Machine and Foundry Company on June 1st, 1943 and the vessel launched on September 26th of that year. She earned two Battle Stars for her service. USS Improve (AM-247) was a notable entry to the class and managed a career from 1944 to 1945 with the Atlantic Fleet and from 1945 to 1946 with the Pacific Fleet. For antisubmarine work, USS Improve relied on a "Mousetrap" rocket launcher or "Hedgehog" anti-submarine mortar, a pair of depth charge racks and 2 x "K-Gun" depth charge projectors. Her crew complement numbered 104 officers and enlisted personnel and onboard armament was led by 1 x 3" /50 caliber "Dual-Purpose" trainable deck gun, 2 to 4 x 40mm Bofors Anti-Aircraft (AA) guns (in two, twin-gunned emplacements) and 8 x 20mm Oerlikon AA autocannons (in four, twin-gunned emplacements). ![]() In ideal conditions, the design could hope to make 15 knots. Its propulsion scheme involved 2 x ALCO 539 series diesel engines developing 1,710 horsepower each and driving 2 x shafts. The vessels displaced 625 tons and featured a length of 184 feet, a beam of 33 feet and draught of 10 feet. 123 were completed with 24 being cancelled. The new Admirable-class was formed for this purpose and 147 vessels were planned for the group which eventually served with the United States, the Soviet Union, China and many others. One of the more critical categories of ship became the minesweeper, these vessels charged with clearing out potential dangers for the main fleet, shipping or amphibious assaults - the primary threat being naval mines. World War 2 (1939-1945) required all manner of naval firepower - from aircraft carriers and battleships to submarines and fast-attack platforms. ![]()
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