For most of the 1960s, the Navy's 7th Fleet operated nine coastal minesweepers in two groups homeported in Sasebo, Japan. During his command of Albatross, my former C.O., Lt. Edward F. Cole, Jr., led Mine Division 31. Peacock and Phoebe were Falcon Class minesweepers, running two 16-cylinder Packard diesels engines, originally designated as AMSs (Auxilliary Minesweeper) and later re-designated by the Navy as MSCs (Minesweeper Coastal). Vireo, Warbler, Whippoorwill, Widgeon and Woodpecker were slightly larger Redwing Class minesweepers of similar design and upgraded with more powerful General Motors diesels. These five ships were also originally designated as AMSs and later redesignated as MSCs. Gannet was the second of only three of the more modern Albatross Class MSCs equipped with four 8-cylinder inline Harnischfeger diesel engines (two on each shaft designed for increased reliability and versatility). Albatross Class ships were put into service in 1961 -- some five years after the Falcon and Redwing designs. http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Peacock-MSC-198/98373290_afm5a-Ti.jpg http://albatross.smugmug.com/gallery/1940347_rdKEL/ 2006-11-17T07:24:13Z Copyright 2009, the copyright holder of each photograph. Some portions copyright SmugMug. All rights reserved. SmugMug <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Peacock MSC 198 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976, 2 x 600 hp Packard diesels. Photo -- Joe Radigan.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98373290_afm5a" title="Peacock MSC 198 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976, 2 x 600 hp Packard diesels. Photo -- Joe Radigan."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Peacock-MSC-198/98373290_afm5a-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Peacock MSC 198 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976, 2 x 600 hp Packard diesels. Photo -- Joe Radigan." title="Peacock MSC 198 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976, 2 x 600 hp Packard diesels. Photo -- Joe Radigan." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-17T03:34:02Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Peacock-MSC-198/98373290_afm5a-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Phoebe MSC 199 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976. Photo -- Jim Brittan.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98373291_aZ37g" title="Phoebe MSC 199 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976. Photo -- Jim Brittan."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Phoebe-MSC-199/98373291_aZ37g-Th.jpg" width="150" height="120" alt="Phoebe MSC 199 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976. Photo -- Jim Brittan." title="Phoebe MSC 199 (Falcon Class) commissioned 1955, scrapped 1976. Photo -- Jim Brittan." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-17T03:37:29Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Phoebe-MSC-199/98373291_aZ37g-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Vireo MSC 205 (Redwing Class) commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and discarded 1985. 2 x 880 hp General Motors diesels. Photo -- ...</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98640846_jfFFC" title="Vireo MSC 205 (Redwing Class) commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and discarded 1985. 2 x 880 hp General Motors diesels. Photo -- ..."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/6809-Vireo-Okinawa/98640846_jfFFC-Th.jpg" width="150" height="104" alt="Vireo MSC 205 (Redwing Class) commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and discarded 1985. 2 x 880 hp General Motors diesels. Photo -- ..." title="Vireo MSC 205 (Redwing Class) commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and discarded 1985. 2 x 880 hp General Motors diesels. Photo -- ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-14T23:45:50Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/6809-Vireo-Okinawa/98640846_jfFFC-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Seattle Times article about Vireo returning to Puget Sound after 16 years.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98640847_EBMUY" title="Seattle Times article about Vireo returning to Puget Sound after 16 years."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/70Vireo-Article/98640847_EBMUY-Th.jpg" width="73" height="150" alt="Seattle Times article about Vireo returning to Puget Sound after 16 years." title="Seattle Times article about Vireo returning to Puget Sound after 16 years." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-14T23:39:56Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/70Vireo-Article/98640847_EBMUY-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Another underway view of Vireo MSC 205. Photo credit to George Blust.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98376062_zc8Dq" title="Another underway view of Vireo MSC 205. Photo credit to George Blust."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Vireo-MSC-205/98376062_zc8Dq-Th.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Another underway view of Vireo MSC 205. Photo credit to George Blust." title="Another underway view of Vireo MSC 205. Photo credit to George Blust." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-14T23:48:09Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Vireo-MSC-205/98376062_zc8Dq-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Warbler MSC 206 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards, commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and decomissioned 1995. Photo ...</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98373292_yDUha" title="Warbler MSC 206 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards, commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and decomissioned 1995. Photo ..."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Warbler-MSC-206/98373292_yDUha-Th.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Warbler MSC 206 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards, commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and decomissioned 1995. Photo ..." title="Warbler MSC 206 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards, commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve duty in Seattle to 1975, transferred to Republic of Fiji Navy and decomissioned 1995. Photo ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-10T23:10:47Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Warbler-MSC-206/98373292_yDUha-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Whippoorwill MSC 207 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve ship in San Francisco to 1975, then transferred to Republic of Singapore until discarded ...</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98373293_NsuPv" title="Whippoorwill MSC 207 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve ship in San Francisco to 1975, then transferred to Republic of Singapore until discarded ..."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Whippoorwill-MSC-207/98373293_NsuPv-Th.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Whippoorwill MSC 207 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve ship in San Francisco to 1975, then transferred to Republic of Singapore until discarded ..." title="Whippoorwill MSC 207 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commissioned 1955 to 1970, reserve ship in San Francisco to 1975, then transferred to Republic of Singapore until discarded ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-10T23:01:41Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Whippoorwill-MSC-207/98373293_NsuPv-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Widgeon MSC 208 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commssioned 1955, reserve ship Long Beach 1969, scapped 1974. Photo -- Paul Wamsley, USS Warbler MSC 206.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98373294_SMqiK" title="Widgeon MSC 208 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commssioned 1955, reserve ship Long Beach 1969, scapped 1974. Photo -- Paul Wamsley, USS Warbler MSC 206."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Wigeon-MSC-208/98373294_SMqiK-Th.jpg" width="150" height="107" alt="Widgeon MSC 208 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commssioned 1955, reserve ship Long Beach 1969, scapped 1974. Photo -- Paul Wamsley, USS Warbler MSC 206." title="Widgeon MSC 208 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commssioned 1955, reserve ship Long Beach 1969, scapped 1974. Photo -- Paul Wamsley, USS Warbler MSC 206." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-17T03:33:23Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Wigeon-MSC-208/98373294_SMqiK-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />Woodpecker MSC 209 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commsissioned 1956, reserve ship Seattle to 1970, transferred to Republic of Fiji 1976, sunk as artificial reef 1990. Photo c ...</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#98376063_HmyYs" title="Woodpecker MSC 209 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commsissioned 1956, reserve ship Seattle to 1970, transferred to Republic of Fiji 1976, sunk as artificial reef 1990. Photo c ..."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Woodpecker-MSC-209/98376063_HmyYs-Th.jpg" width="150" height="94" alt="Woodpecker MSC 209 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commsissioned 1956, reserve ship Seattle to 1970, transferred to Republic of Fiji 1976, sunk as artificial reef 1990. Photo c ..." title="Woodpecker MSC 209 (Redwing Class) built by Bellingham Shipyards commsissioned 1956, reserve ship Seattle to 1970, transferred to Republic of Fiji 1976, sunk as artificial reef 1990. Photo c ..." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-06-10T23:07:21Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Woodpecker-MSC-209/98376063_HmyYs-Th.jpg <p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com">Albatross</a><br />USS Gannet MSC 290 (Albatross Class) commissioned 1961 and struck from the Navy in 1970, and later converted to a Japanese fishing boat. Photo -- Tom Lawson.</p><p><a href="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/1940347_rdKEL#111016341_DVrSu" title="USS Gannet MSC 290 (Albatross Class) commissioned 1961 and struck from the Navy in 1970, and later converted to a Japanese fishing boat. Photo -- Tom Lawson."><img src="http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Gannet-MSC-290/111016341_DVrSu-Th.jpg" width="150" height="93" alt="USS Gannet MSC 290 (Albatross Class) commissioned 1961 and struck from the Navy in 1970, and later converted to a Japanese fishing boat. Photo -- Tom Lawson." title="USS Gannet MSC 290 (Albatross Class) commissioned 1961 and struck from the Navy in 1970, and later converted to a Japanese fishing boat. Photo -- Tom Lawson." style="border: 1px solid #000000;" /></a></p> 2009-02-15T16:14:36Z Albatross http://albatross.smugmug.com http://albatross.smugmug.com/USS-Albatross-MSC-289/5-The-Other-C-Boats-1/USS-Gannet-MSC-290/111016341_DVrSu-Th.jpg