# Agile-class minesweeper

The Agile-class minesweepers are a class of US-built ocean-going minesweepers. 58 ships were built for the United States Navy, 35 ships were built for the allied NATO navies of Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and Portugal. 13 ships were later transferred to Belgium, Spain, Taiwan, the Philippines and Uruguay.
There is some confusion on how to name this class. The class is often described as the Aggressive-class, as USS Aggressive (MSO-422) was the first ship to be commissioned. Sometimes four ships are a Dash-class subclass, although all ships are of the same design.

## Design

As a result of experiences during the Korean War, the United States Navy undertook a large scale construction of a new series of minesweepers. In contrast to the steel-hulled minesweepers built before, the Agile-class minesweepers were built mostly of wood with bronze and stainless steel fittings and engines to minimize their magnetic signature. The ships were equipped with the UQS-1 mine-locating sonar and were capable of sweeping moored, bottom contact, magnetic and acoustic mines.

## Modernization

Although it was planned to modernize all U.S. Navy ship of this class, only 19 ships were modernized starting with Fiscal Year 1968. The modernization cost between 700,000 and $1,500,000 per ship and should enable them to operate for another ten years. The ships received new aluminum block Waukesha diesel engines and the superstructure was enlarged aft. The UQS-1 sonar was replaced with SQQ-14. Two PAP-104 cable-guided undersea tools were added. Also, two 40 hp zodiacs were carried for the purpose of mooring the new sonar reflectors. Also, a team of mine clearance divers was added. Additional space on the foc'sle was needed for installation of the SQQ-14 cabling so the 40mm Bofors bow gun was replaced with a mount for a twin 20 mm Mk 68 gun.
As of 2015, the four ships transferred to Taiwan are still in service.

## Construction and disposition

| Ship Name | Hull No. | Builder | Commission– Decommission | Fate | Link |
| Agile | 421 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1956–1972 | Sold for scrap 1980 | |
| Aggressive | 422 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1953–1971 | Sold for scrap 1980 | |
| Avenge | 423 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1954-1970 | Destroyed by fire, sold for scrapping 1969 | |
| Bold | 424 | Norfolk Naval Shipyard | 1953-1971 | Sold for scrap 1981 | |
| Bulwark | 425 | Norfolk Naval Shipyard | 1953-1971 | Sold for scrap 1980 | |
| Conflict | 426 | Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California | 1954-1973 | Sold for scrap 1973 | |
| Constant | 427 | Fulton Shipyard, Antioch, California | 1954-1992 | Sold for scrap 2001 | |
| Dash | 428 | Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon | 1953-1982 | Sold for scrap 1984 | |
| Detector | 429 | Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon | 1953-1982 | Sold for scrap 1984 | |
| Direct | 430 | Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York | 1954-1982 | Sold for scrap 1984 | |
| Dominant | 431 | Hiltebrant Dry Dock Co., Kingston, New York | 1954-1982 | Sold for scrap 1984 | |
| Dynamic | 432 | Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California | 1953-1971 1971-1998 | 1971 to Spain as Guadalete (M41) 1971, decommissioned 1998 | |
| Engage | 433 | Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California | 1953-1991 | Scrapped 2002 | |
| Embattle | 434 | Colberg Boat Works, Stockton, California | 1954-1972 | Sold to be scrapped 1976, privately held until scrapped by the USACE in 1993. | |
| Endurance | 435 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1954-1972 | Sold for scrap 1973 | |
| Energy | 436 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1954-1972 1972-1977 | 1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Norte (PM-91) Sold for scrap 1977 | |
| Enhance | 437 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1955-1991 | Sold for scrap 2000 | |
| Esteem | 438 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1955-1991 | Sold for scrap 2000 | |
| Excel | 439 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1992 | Sold for scrap 2000 | |
| Exploit | 440 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1954-1993 | Sold for scrap 2002 | |
| Exultant | 441 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1954-1993 | Sold for scrap 2002 | |
| Fearless | 442 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1954-1990 | Sold for scrap 1992 | |
| Fidelity | 443 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1989 | Sold for scrap 1990 | |
| Firm | 444 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1954-1972 1972-1977 | 1972 to the Philippines as BRP Davao del Sur (PM-92), scrapped 1977 | |
| Force | 445 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1955-1973 | Sunk after a fire | |
| Fortify | 446 | Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington | 1954-1992 | Scrapped 2002 | |
| Guide | 447 | Seattle Shipbuilding and Drydocking Co., Seattle, Washington | 1955-1972 | Sold for scrap 1973 | |
| Illusive | 448 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1953-1990 | Sold for scrap 1993 | |
| Impervious | 449 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1954-1991 | Scrapped 2002 | |
| Berneval | 450 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1954-1987 | Built for France, scrapped | |
| Bir Hacheim | 451 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1954-1970 1970-1979 | Built for France, transferred to Uruguay in 1970 and renamed Maldanado (MS 33), scrapped 1979 | |
| Garigliano | 452 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1954-1988 | Built for France, struck 1988 | |
| Alençon | 453 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1954-1983 | Built for France, struck 1983 | |
| Dompaire | 454 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1954-1983 | Built for France, struck 1983 | |
| Implicit | 455 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1994 | Sold to Taiwan 1994 | |
| Inflict | 456 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1990 | Sold for scrap 1992 | |
| Loyalty | 457 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1972 | Sold for scrap 1973 | |
| Lucid | 458 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1970 | Sold for scrap 1976 Currently being restored by the Stockton Historical Maritime Museum as a museum ship | |
| Nimble | 459 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1970 | Sold for scrap 1981 | |
| Notable | 460 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1970 | Sold for scrap 1971 | |
| Observer | 461 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1972 | Sold for scrap 1979 | |
| Pinnacle | 462 | Higgins Corp., New Orleans, Louisiana | 1955-1970 | Sold for scrap 1978 | |
| Pivot | 463 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1971 1974-1999 | 1974 to Spain as Guadalmedina (M42), scrapped 1999 | |
| Pluck | 464 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1990 | Sold for scrap 1992 | |
| Prestige | 465 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1958 | Grounded and sunk, 1958 in the Naruto Strait | |
| Prime | 466 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1970 | Sold for scrap 1976 | |
| Reaper | 467 | Wilmington Boat Works Inc., Wilmington, California | 1954-1972 | Sold for scrap 1976 | |
| Rival | 468 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1954-1970 | Sold for scrap 1971 | |
| Sagacity | 469 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1955-1970 | Grounded at Charleston, sold for scrap 1970. | |
| Salute | 470 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1955-1970 | Sold for scrap 1971 | |
| Skill | 471 | Luders Marine Construction Co. of Stamford, Connecticut | 1950-1970 | Sold for scrap 1979 | |
| Valor | 472 | Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 1954-1970 | Sold for scrap 1971 | |
| Vigor | 473 | Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 1954-1972 1972-1999 | 1972 to Spain as Guadiana (M44), scrapped 1999. | |
| Vital | 474 | Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 1955-1972 | Sold for scrap 1979 | |
| Mytho | 475 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1988 | Built for France, scrapped 1989 | |
| Cantho | 476 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1987 | Built for France, struck 1987 | |
| Vinh Long | 477 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1988 | Built for France, scrapped 1992 | |
| São Jorge | 478 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1973 | Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 | |
| Pico | 479 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1974 | Built for Portugal; transferred to Belgium for spare parts, burned out in 1997, scrapped in 2011 | |
| Onversaagd | 480 | Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon | 1955-1979 | Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A854 in 1965, scrapped 1979 | |
| Onbevreesd | 481 | Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon | 1955-1988 | Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A855 in 1965, scrapped 1989 | |
| Onvervaard | 482 | Astoria Marine Construction, Astoria, Oregon | 1955-1984 | Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A858 in 1965, scrapped 1984 | |
| Onverschrokken | 483 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1955-1987 | Built for the Netherlands, converted to torpedo retriever Mercuur (A856) in 1973, decommissioned 1987 and preserved as museum ship in Vlissingen | |
| Onvermoeid | 484 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1955-1974 | Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A857 in 1965, scrapped 1975 | |
| Onverdroten | 485 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1955-1984 | Built for the Netherlands, reclassified A859 in 1965, scrapped 1985 | |
| Graciosa | 486 | Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 1955-1973 | Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 | |
| Corvo | 487 | Burger Boat Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 1955-1973 | Built for Portugal, scrapped 1973 | |
| Conquest | 488 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1955-1994 1994-2020 | 1994 to Taiwan as Yung Tzu (MSO-1307) | |
| Gallant | 489 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1955-1994 1994-2013 | 1994 to Taiwan as Yung Ku (MSO-1308) | |
| Leader | 490 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1955-1991 | Sold for scrap 1994 | |
| Persistent | 491 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1956-1971 1971-2000 | 1971 to Spain as Guadalquivir (M43), scrapped | |
| Pledge | 492 | J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., Tacoma, Washington | 1956-1994 1994- | 1994 to Taiwan Yung Teh (MSO-1309) | |
| Stalwart | 493 | Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1956-1966 | Caught fire pier side at San Juan, Puerto Rico, sunk 1966. Later raised and sunk as an artificial reef. | |
| Sturdy | 494 | Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1957-1971 | Sold for scrap 1978 | |
| Swerve | 495 | Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1957-1971 | Sold for scrap 1978 | |
| Venture | 496 | Broward Marine Inc, Fort Lauderdale, Florida | 1958-1971 | Sold for scrap 1978 | |
| MSO-497 | 497 | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled | Cancelled |
| Lågen | 498 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1966 1966-1996 | Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as Dufour (M 903), scrapped 2007 | |
| Namsen | 499 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1955-1966 1966-1993 | Built for Norway; transferred to Belgium in 1966 as De Brouwer (M 904), scrapped 2007 | |
| Berlaimont | 500 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1956-1986 | Built for France, scrapped 1986 | |
| Origny | 501 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1956-1983 | Built for France, converted to oceanographic research ship in 1962, reclassified A640 in 1974, struck 1985 | |
| Autun | 502 | Bellingham Shipyards Co., Bellingham, Washington | 1956-1985 | Built for France, scrapped 1985 | |
| Artevelde | 503 | Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington | 1956-1985 | Built for Belgium, scrapped 1985 | |
| Breydel | 504 | Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington | 1956-1993 | Built for Belgium, scrapped 2006 | |
| Baccarat | 505 | Tacoma Boatbuilding Company, Tacoma, Washington | 1956-1993 | Built for France, struck 1993 | |
| Storione | 506 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1956-1997 | Built for Italy, struck 1997 | |
| Salmone | 506 | Martinolich Shipbuilding Co., San Diego, California | 1956-1996 | Built for Italy, struck 1996 | |
| Narvik | 512 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1956-1988 | Built for France, reclassified A769 in 1976, struck 1989 | |
| Ouistreham | 513 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1956-1994 | Built for France, struck 1994 | |
| Colmar | 514 | Peterson Builders, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin | 1956-1976 | Built for France, scrapped 1985 | |
| Georges Truffaut | 515 | Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida | 1956-2000 | Built for Belgium, scrapped 2007 | |
| F. Bovesse | 516 | Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida | 1956-1993 | Built for Belgium, scrapped 2004 | |
| Sgombro | 517 | Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida | 1957-2000 | Built for Italy, reclassified P5432 in 1990, decommissioned 2000 | |
| Squalo | 518 | Tampa Marine Co., Tampa, Florida | 1957-2000 | Built for Italy, reclassified P5433 in 1990, decommissioned 2000 | |