USS Pelican ( AM - 27 ) USS " Pelican " ( AM - 27 / AVP - 6 ) was an acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing . " Pelican " was laid down 10 November 1917 at Gas Engine and Power Co . , Morris Heights , New York ; launched 12 June 1918 ; sponsored by Miss E . B . Patterson ; and commissioned 10 October 1918 , Lt . ( j . g . ) G . E . McHugh , USNR , in command . World War I mine clearance operations . Upon completion of fitting out , she sailed for Scotland on 6 April 1919 , to assist in the sweeping of the North Sea Mine Barrage . Arriving 20 April , she and other minesweepers immediately went to work in sweeping mines . During this service " Pelican ' s " naval career almost ended when it had hardly begun . While sweeping several mines , one of them exploded underneath her hull causing her to take on a great amount of water and slowly settle by the head . Despite heavy seas , and threat of imminent sinking , " Pelican ' s " crew , with the assistance of two of her sister ships , and after 19 hours of effort , managed to bring the badly damaged vessel into port at Scapa Flow for temporary repairs . According to the logbook of Gordon Gate Easterly who was aboard the USS Teal , this incident occurred on 9 July 1919 . " Started to sweeping . Many explosions . Pelican hit by two countermines ( around 10 am ) on starboard side a little forward of beam , damaging her much . We took her to tow and also gave her lines alongside and put her wrecking pump over to Pelican . Pelican leaking badly . USS Eider on starboard side of Pelican and ? ? on port . She ( Pelican ) settling deeper in water all the time . . . . 12 : 07 PM - feeling Pelican to go down any moment . July 11 - Was over on Pelican , she sure was in bad condition . July 12 - came near to losing Pelican again as seas very rough . Arrived Scapa about 3 pm . " Fully repaired at Newcastle - on - Tyne , " Pelican " departed for home , arriving at New York on 6 December . " Pelican " next transferred to the Pacific Fleet and operated out of Pearl Harbor , until decommissioned there 3 May 1922 . Recommissioning for World War II . Recommissioned 17 August , she performed miscellaneous tasks , such as survey work and photography missions , while attached to Naval Air Station , Pearl Harbor . Reclassified AVP - 6 on 22 January 1936 , " Pelican " was assigned to Commander , Aircraft , Scouting Force for further duty . The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor found " Pelican " on the West Coast . With the beginning of war , the sturdy little vessel commenced tending aircraft and serving as convoy escort , until May 1943 , when she joined the Atlantic Fleet . Transfer to the Atlantic Fleet . She alternated tending seaplanes and serving as convoy escort , performing an un - glamorous but vital part of the war effort . Reporting to the Fleet Sound School in March 1945 , " Pelican " assisted in experiments with new ASW gear until October , when she arrived at Charleston Navy Yard . Decommissioning . Decommissioned 30 November , she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 19 December . She was sold for scrap in November 1946 . References . Gordon Gate Easterly , Sr . Logbook . Property of Kristine Quart ( granddaughter )