USS Partridge (AM-16)
{{short description|Minesweeper of the United States Navy}}
{{Redirect|AM-16|the failed July 1959 launch of a Juno II rocket|S-1 (satellite)}}
{{other ships|USS Partridge}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=USS Partridge (AM-16) transiting the Panamal Canal, circa in the 1920s (NH 60282).jpg |Ship caption=USS Partridge }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship country=United States |Ship flag={{USN flag|1944}} |Ship name=USS Partridge |Ship namesake= |Ship ordered= |Ship builder=Chester Shipbuilding Co., Chester, Pennsylvania |Ship laid down=14 May 1918 |Ship launched=15 October 1918 |Ship acquired= |Ship commissioned=17 June 1919, as Minesweeper No.16 |Ship decommissioned= |Ship in service= |Ship out of service= |Ship struck=29 July 1944 |Ship renamed= |Ship reclassified=*AM-16, 17 July 1920
|Ship homeport= |Ship motto= |Ship nickname= |Ship honors= |Ship fate=Sunk by torpedo, 11 June 1944 |Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class={{sclass|Lapwing|minesweeper}} |Ship displacement={{convert|950|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} |Ship length={{convert|187|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|35|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship draft={{convert|9|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion= |Ship speed={{convert|14|kn|mph km/h|lk=in|abbr=on}} |Ship range= |Ship complement=72 |Ship armament=2 × 3"/50 caliber gun dual purpose guns |Ship notes= }} |
USS Partridge (AM-16) was an {{sclass|Lapwing|minesweeper}} acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.
Partridge was named after the partridge, any of various gallinaceous birds, such as the ruffed grouse or bob-white quail, found in North America.
Partridge was laid down on 14 May 1918 by the Chester Shipbuilding Co., Chester, Pennsylvania:{{cite web |title=Patridge (AM 16) |url=http://www.navsource.net/archives/11/02016.htm |website=NavSource |access-date=13 May 2020}} launched on 15 October 1918; sponsored by Ms. C. H. McCay; and commissioned on 17 June 1919.
Post-World War I operations
Completed too late to participate in World War I, Partridge operated in the Pacific Ocean until returning to the Atlantic Ocean in June 1941. Converted to an ocean-going tug, Partridge was reclassified AT-138 on 1 June 1942. The tug participated in rescue and towing duties along the eastern seaboard and in the Caribbean, making an important contribution to saving lives and ships, until early May 1944.
World War II operations
Reclassified ATO-138 on 15 May 1944, Partridge was ordered to England to assist in preparing for the coming invasion of Normandy. The ship remained in England until 10 June, when she was ordered to sail for the beachhead.
En route to France, at position {{coord|49|30|N|00|50|W|display=inline,title}}, some {{convert|11|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}} north of Vierville-sur-Mer, the veteran minesweeper was hit by a torpedo from a German E-Boat at 02:00 on 11 June and sank some 35 minutes later.
Partridge was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 29 July 1944.
References
{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p2/partridge-i.htm}}
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|USS Partridge (AM-16)}}
- {{navsource|11/02016|USS Partridge (AM-16/AT-138/ATO-138)}}
- [http://www.usspartridge.com USS Partridge.com]
- [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5169.html USS Partridge (AM 16)]
- [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/class.html?ID=225 uboat.net – Lapwing class minesweepers]
{{Lapwing class minesweeper}}
{{June 1944 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Partridge (AM-16)}}
Category:Lapwing-class minesweepers
Category:Ships built in Chester, Pennsylvania
Category:World War II auxiliary ships of the United States
Category:World War II shipwrecks in the English Channel