Accentor-class minesweeper

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The Accentor-class minesweeper was a small U.S. Navy ship used during World War II to clear mines in harbors, bays, and near shorelines. Built in 1941–1942, these wooden-hulled ships were designed for shallow-water work in littoral areas. Forty-five of the vessels were converted from wooden fishing boats, so their exact size, speed, and crew varied. Most carried two .50 caliber machine guns for protection.

The class, sometimes called the Accentor/Acme-class, had a total of 70 ships completed. They displaced roughly 165–205 long tons, measured about 97–99 feet in length, had a beam around 21–23 feet, and a draft of about 9–11 feet. They were powered by a diesel engine around 400 hp and could reach about 10 knots. Crews ranged from about 15 to 50 people.

In World War II, these minesweepers cleared defensive mines in harbors and coastal waters to keep ships safe. After the war, they were deemed surplus and decommissioned by the end of 1946. MARCOM removed the weapons and minesweeping gear, and the ships were sold to civilian operators such as marine tow companies and fishing fleets.