Lapwing-class minesweeper
USS Lapwing (AM-1) and other ships of the squadron anchored in the Hudson River, off New York City | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators | United States Navy |
| Succeeded by | Raven-class minesweeper |
| Built | 1917–1919 |
| In commission | 1918–1953 |
| Planned | 51 |
| Completed | 49 |
| Cancelled | 2 |
| Lost | 16 |
| Retired | 35 |
| Preserved | 0 |
| Notes | Although technically not "preserved", USS Auk has been abandoned in Venezuela since 1962 and is still there in its original configuration albeit partially sunk. |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Minesweeper |
| Displacement | 840 long tons (853 t) |
| Length | 187 ft 10 in (57.25 m) |
| Beam | 35 ft 5 in (10.80 m) |
| Draft | 15 ft (4.6 m) |
| Propulsion | Reciprocating engine |
| Speed | 14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h) |
| Complement | 75 |
| Armament | 2 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 caliber guns and/or 2 × .30cal machine guns |
The Lapwing-class minesweeper, often called the Bird class, was an early "AM-type" oceangoing minesweeper of the United States Navy. Seven ships of the class were commissioned during World War I, and served well into the 1950s. A number were refitted to serve as ocean-going tugs, salvage vessels, seaplane tenders, or submarine rescue ships.
The propulsion system consisted of 2 Babcock & Wilcox 200psi boilers and a 1,400shp Harlan and Hollingsworth triple expansion reciprocating steam engine.