USS Hazard facts for kids
USS Hazard at Freedom Park in Omaha, Nebraska.
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | Hazard |
| Builder | Winslow Marine Railway & Shipbuilding Company |
| Laid down | 1944 |
| Launched | 21 May 1944 |
| Commissioned | 21 October 1944 |
| Decommissioned | 27 July 1946 |
| Reclassified | MSF-240 7 February 1955 |
| Stricken | 1971 |
| Motto | No Sweep, No Invasion |
| Honors and awards |
3 Battle Stars |
| Status | Museum ship since 1971 at Freedom Park, Omaha, Nebraska |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Admirable-class minesweeper |
| Displacement | 530 tons |
| Length | 184 ft 6 in (56.24 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) |
| Propulsion | Two 1,710 shp (1,280 kW) Cooper Bessemer GSB-8 diesel engines, National Supply Co. single reduction gear, two shafts. |
| Speed | 15 knots (27.8 km/h) |
| Complement | 104 |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: | US Pacific Fleet (1944-1946) |
| Awards: | 3 Battle stars |
|
USS Hazard (AM-240)
|
|
 Location in Nebraska
|
|
| Built | 1944 |
| Architect | Winslow Marine Railway |
| NRHP reference No. | 79003712 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | 1 January 1979 |
| Designated NHL | January 14, 1986 |
The USS Hazard (AM-240) was a special kind of ship called an Admirable-class minesweeper. It served in the United States Navy during World War II. Its main job was to clear dangerous underwater mines from the ocean, making it safe for other ships.
Contents
Meet the USS Hazard: A World War II Hero
The USS Hazard was a very important ship during World War II. It helped protect other ships and clear paths for invasions. Today, you can visit this historic ship and learn about its brave missions.
Building a Mighty Minesweeper
The Hazard was built by the Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Company in Winslow, Washington. It was launched on May 21, 1944, and officially joined the Navy on October 21, 1944.
This ship was designed to do many jobs. It could sweep away different types of mines, both wire and acoustic. It also acted as an anti-submarine warfare platform, meaning it could hunt for enemy submarines. The Admirable-class minesweepers like the Hazard also helped patrol waters and escort groups of ships called convoys.
Hazard's Important Missions in War
The Hazard began its service by escorting convoys across the Pacific Ocean. It traveled from San Francisco to Pearl Harbor, and then to other important islands like Eniwetok and Ulithi.
In March 1945, the ship went to Okinawa, a major battle area. There, it first helped patrol for enemy submarines. Then, it carried out its main mission: sweeping mines from the waters near Kerama Retto. The ship's motto, "No Sweep, No Invasion," showed how vital its work was. Clearing mines made it possible for other ships to safely bring troops and supplies.
After the war ended, the Hazard continued its important work. It cleared mines from the seas around Korea and Japan. This made it safe for the forces that came to occupy these areas.
From Warship to Museum: Hazard's New Life
In 1946, the Hazard returned to the United States and was taken out of service. It joined the Navy's reserve fleet. Many years later, in 1971, a group of business people from Omaha, Nebraska, bought the ship. They wanted to preserve it.
Today, the USS Hazard is a museum ship at Freedom Park in East Omaha. Its paint has been restored to the special "Dazzle camouflage" it wore during World War II. This camouflage used bold patterns to confuse enemy ships about its size and direction.
Visiting the USS Hazard Today
At Freedom Park, you can explore the Hazard and learn about its history. It is displayed alongside other cool exhibits. These include the submarine USS Marlin, an A-4 Skyhawk jet, an A-7 Corsair II jet, and a HH-52A Seaguard US Coast Guard helicopter.
The Hazard earned three battle stars for its brave service in World War II. It is also a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important historical site. It is the only Admirable-class minesweeper still left in the United States. Its sister ship, USS Inaugural, was once a museum ship too, but it was sadly destroyed in a big flood in 1993.
See also
- List of Admirable class minesweepers
