USS Thrush (MSC-204)
Encyclopedia
USS Thrush (MSC-204) was a Redwing-class minesweeper
in the service of the United States Navy
from 1955 to 1975.
to conduct a successful shakedown cruise
. In 1956 she was assigned to the Yorktown, Virginia
Mine Warfare School, followed in August by assignment to Norfolk, Virginia
to participate in Operation Hideaway. In 1957 Thrush moved to her new homeport in Key West, Florida
where she tested and evaluated new mine warfare
equipment for the 6th Naval District's Mine Warfare Evaluation Detachment.
In 1974, she assisted in expanding the Osborne Artificial Reef
. While serving as a Naval Reservist
, LeRoy Collins Jr.
was the Thrushs commanding officer.
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
in the service of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1955 to 1975.
Assignments
Soon after her commissioning in November 1955, the Thrush arrived in Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. It lies off the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by Maryland and Virginia. The Chesapeake Bay's drainage basin covers in the District of Columbia and parts of six states: New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and West...
to conduct a successful shakedown cruise
Shakedown cruise
Shakedown cruise is a nautical term in which the performance of a ship is tested. Shakedown cruises are also used to familiarize the ship's crew with operation of the craft....
. In 1956 she was assigned to the Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
Mine Warfare School, followed in August by assignment to Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
to participate in Operation Hideaway. In 1957 Thrush moved to her new homeport in Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
where she tested and evaluated new mine warfare
Mine warfare
Mine warfare refers to the use of different types of explosive devices:*Land mine, a weight-triggered explosive device intended to maim or kill people or to destroy vehicles...
equipment for the 6th Naval District's Mine Warfare Evaluation Detachment.
In 1974, she assisted in expanding the Osborne Artificial Reef
Osborne Reef
Osborne Reef is an artificial reef off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida constructed of concrete jacks in a diameter circle.In the 1970s, the reef was the subject of an ambitious expansion project utilizing old and discarded tires...
. While serving as a Naval Reservist
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
, LeRoy Collins Jr.
LeRoy Collins Jr.
Thomas LeRoy Collins Jr. was a United States Navy sailor, businessman, and political figure.Collins was the son of former Florida Governor LeRoy Collins and a fifth-generation Floridian. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1956 and served in the United States Navy and United States...
was the Thrushs commanding officer.