USS Lucid (MSO-458)

For other ships of the same name, see USS Lucid.

Career (US)
Laid down:	16 March 1953
Launched:	14 November 1953
Commissioned:	4 May 1955
Decommissioned:	unknown date
Struck:	15 May 1976
Homeport:	Long Beach, California
Fate:	sold for scrap, 30 December 1976, for $40,250
General characteristics
Displacement:	775 tons
Length:	172 ft (52 m)
Beam:	36 ft (11 m)
Draft:	12 ft (3.7 m)
Propulsion:	four Packard ID1700 diesel engines, replaced by four Waukasha Motors Co. diesels, two shafts, two controllable pitch propellers
Speed:	14 knots
Complement:	65
Armament:	one 40mm mount

USS Lucid (AM-458/MSO-458) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

The second warship to be named Lucid by the Navy, AM-458 was laid down by Higgins Inc. Shipyard, New Orleans, Louisiana, 16 March 1953; launched 14 November 1953; sponsored by Mrs. Mary J. Barrow; reclassified MSO-458 on 7 February 1955; and commissioned 4 May 1955, Lt. J. H. Graham in command.

First WestPac tour of duty

After shakedown in the Caribbean, Lucid sailed for the Pacific Ocean, arriving Long Beach, California, 22 August. For the next 13 months, she performed minewarfare exercises on the U.S. West Coast, then sailed on her first western Pacific tour 1 October 1958.

Four additional Far East tours

During the period 1956 to 5 November 1963, Lucid sailed on four WestPac cruises and while there performed operations with the mighty U.S. 7th Fleet. This bastion of strength in the Far East served notice to the Communists that America would not tolerate threats to the peace and stability of the free countries of Asia. In addition to exercises with the 7th Fleet, the minesweeper participated in good will programs in the countries she visited. The time between WestPac cruises was spent in mine countermeasure exercises off the southern California coast

Supporting Market Time operations

Throughout 1964 Lucid continued training exercises off the U.S. West Coast, then departed Long Beach 5 April 1965 on her fifth WestPac cruise. Arriving Subic Bay, Philippine Islands. 24 May, she prepared for Operation Market Time off the coast of Vietnam. From June to October the minesweeper continued patrol and surveillance of Vietnamese Junk traffic. She boarded a total of 186 Junks and steel-hulled ships, and contributed to a reduction of enemy infiltration of men and supplies by sea. Lucid returned to Long Beach 14 December and operated off the southern California coast until May 1966 when she commenced overhaul at Harbor Boat Building Co., San Pedro, California.

WestPac deployment after 1966 overhaul

In October 1966, having completed her overhaul, Lucid prepared for another WestPac deployment. She departed Long Beach on 6 January 1967. Lucid served once again with the Market Time forces, performing surveillance and search duties, as well as hunting mines in the harbors of South Vietnam On 16 October 1967, she departed Subic Bay, homeward bound after a long but rewarding deployment Lucid arrived at Long Beach on 18 November. Following a brief overhaul period, and refresher training, she sailed for WestPac 1 April. Along with patrol duty off the Vietnamese Coast and upkeep periods at Subic Bay and Singapore, Lucid conducted minesweeping exercises with Allied Navies Returning to Long Beach in mid-October, the minesweeper began a yard period where she remained into 1969.

Decommissioning

Lucid was struck from the Navy List on 15 May 1976 and sold for $40,250 for scrap in a Navy sale in November. The scrap yard removed valuable metals and equipment and resold her. After passing through numerous civilian owners, Lucid was acquired for use as a museum. She is currently being restored at Bradford Island, California.

In November 2011 it was announced that the Lucid will be moving to Stockton California for further restoration, she will be moored at a pier of the former naval reserve center on Monte Diablo Ave. and plans are being made to move it to downtown Stockton.

References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20111104/A_NEWS0803/111040325&cid=

External links

• USS Lucid MSO-458 Foundation
• USS Lucid (MSO-458)
• HNSA Web Page: USS Lucid
• NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Lucid (MSO-458) - ex-AM-458