USS Surfbird (ADG 383) in a photo received in August 1967.
Click on this photograph for links to larger images of this class.
Class: SURFBIRD (ADG 383, ex AM)
Design: Navy AM 221-ft.
Displacement (tons): 890 light, 1,235 full
Dimensions (feet): 221' oa, 215' wl x 32' e/wl x 11' max nav
Armament: (1957) 1-3"/50, 2-40mmT, 4-20-mmT; (1959) 1-3"/50, 4-20-mmT; (1969) 2-20-mmT
Accommodations: 70
Speed (kts.): 18
Propulsion (HP): 3,200
Machinery: Geared diesel electric, 2 screws
Construction:
| ADG | Name | Reclas | Builder | Keel | Launch | Comm |
| 383 | SURFBIRD | 18 May 1957 | Am. SB, Lorain | 15 Feb 1944 | 31 Aug 1944 | (Feb 1957) |
Disposition:
| ADG | Name | T | Decomm | Strike | Disposal | Fate | MA Sale |
| 383 | SURFBIRD | 18 Dec 1970 | 21 Feb 1975 | 4 Nov 1975 | Navy sale | -- |
Class Notes:
The 221-foot steel-hulled minesweeper SURFBIRD (AM 383) was placed out of commission in reserve on 1 April 1947. She was recommissioned on 12 March 1952 and reclassified MSF 383 on 7 February 1955 when all other steel-hulled minesweepers were similarly reclassified. She was soon scheduled for inactivation but this was cancelled on 26 December 1956 and she was reassigned from MINPAC (Mine Forces Pacific) to SERVPAC (Service Forces Pacific). SURFBIRD was sent to Sasebo, Japan, to replace AMPERE (ADG 11), which after transferring her degaussing equipment to SURFBIRD was ordered inactivated on 18 January 1957 and was decommissioned on 18 March 1957. In the meantime SURFBIRD was assigned to the 7th Fleet on 3 February 1957 and was reclassified by SECNAV from MSF 383 to ADG 383 on 18 April 1957 effective 18 May 1957. She was based at Sasebo in 1958. Later she performed anti-mine degaussing operations in Vietnam from 1965 to 1970.
Ship Notes:
| ADG | Name | MA | Notes |
| 383 | SURFBIRD | (ex MSF 383, ex AM 383, comm 25 Nov 1944, recomm 12 Mar 1952). |
Page Notes:
Compiled: 18 Oct 2021
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2021