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Norwegian Tyr (MMC 2).

Norwegian Tyr (MMC 2).
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Class: Norwegian GOR (MMC 1)
Design: Navy 221' AM converted
Displacement (tons): 1,250
Dimensions (feet): 221.2' oa, 215' wl x 32.2' e/wl x 11' max nav
Armament: 1-3"/50, 2-20mmT, 60-90 mines on 3 rails
Accommodations: 105
Speed (kts.): 16
Propulsion (HP): 2,070 bhp
Machinery: Geared diesel electric, 2 screws

Construction:
MMCNameReclasBuilderKeelLaunchCompl
1Norwegian GOR31 Oct 1958Am. SB Cleveland17 Nov 194116 May 194230 Sep 1959
2Norwegian TYR31 Oct 1958Am. SB Cleveland17 Nov 194123 Jun 194230 Sep 1959
3Norwegian BRAGE4 Dec 1959Assoc. SB Hbr Is.27 Oct 194225 Feb 19438 Jan 1961
5Norwegian ULLER1 Oct 1960Am. SB Lorain28 Nov 194123 May 194215 Dec 1962

Disposition:
MMCNameTUS DecommUS StrikeUS DisposalUS FateMA Sale
1Norwegian GOR--1 Oct 19591 Oct 1959Trf--
2Norwegian TYR--1 Oct 19591 Oct 1959Trf--
3Norwegian BRAGE--1 Mar 196127 Jan 1961Trf--
5Norwegian ULLER--1 Mar 196315 Dec 1962Trf--

Class Notes:
On 18 February 1958 CNO provided 7.5 million dollars of 1958 funds to BUSHIPS for the construction of two new coastal minelayers (MMCs) for Norway under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP). CNO had provided the desired characteristics on 10 January 1958. On 8 April 1958 BUSHIPS responded that there was not sufficient time to complete a new design within the time limits imposed by the use of 1958 funds. In addition a preliminary study indicated that the funds were inadequate for the construction of two new ships. Following a discussion between representatives of CNO and BUSHIPS a study was made of the conversion of the 220-foot MSF hull and it was estimated that this conversion could be accomplished within the funds available. The 220-foot steel hulled AUK-class minesweepers (AM) had been reclassified to MSF with all other AM's on 5 February 1955. BUSHIPS attached the resulting plans and characteristics to its letter of 8 April 1958 and requested CNO to approve them, and it also informed CNO that it intended to assign the work to the Charleston Naval Shipyard. The Bureau therefore asked that CNO designate two ships with similar propulsion plants from the reserve fleet, preferebly from a location near Charleston. The characteristics provided for 94 MK 6 mines, all under cover, and an armament of one 3"/50 single and two 20mm twin gun mounts and a MK 63 gun fire constrol system. The detail specifications were based on earlier ones for the conversion of minesweepers (MSF) to patrol craft (PCE). This was probably a reference to SCB 143 dated 6 April 1955, which was developed for MDAP as the cheapest way of getting coastal escorts.

MSF 117 and 119, were redesignated Coastal Minelayers MMC 1-2 effective 30 November 1958 and a third ship, MSF 323, was redesignated MMC 3 on 4 December 1959. These three were converted to coastal minelayers by NSY Charleston. A fourth ship, MSF 112, was converted to the same design under the offshore procurement program at the main Norwegian navy yard at Horten. The main deck aft of the original forecastle was enclosed and fitted as a mine deck with 60 to 90 mines stowed on and launched from three rails. The ships were also fitted for anti-submarine warfare with sonar, two Hedgehog projectors, one depth charge rack suspended over the mine rails at the stern, two K guns, and in ULLER a Norwegian Terne III ASW system.

Ship Notes:
MMCNameMANotes
1Norwegian GORFY 1958 (MDAP). Ex STRIVE (MSF 117, comm. 27 Oct 1942, decomm. 8 Jan 1955). FY 1958. Conversion by NSY Charleston ord 25 Jun 1958 under MDAP, begun 15 Sep 1958, completed 30 Sep 1959. Stricken (Norwegian) Jan 1975, sold Jan 1977 to Brødrene Anda A/S at Stavanger.
2Norwegian TYRFY 1958 (MDAP). Ex SUSTAIN (MSF 119, comm. 9 Nov 1942, decomm. 9 Oct 1954). FY 1958. Conversion by NSY Charleston ord 25 Jun 1958 under MDAP, begun 15 Sep 1958, completed 30 Sep 1959. Sold to Norway 1975. Damaged as target 22 Aug 1978, run aground, salved and sold to Nøvding Skipsopphugging to BU.
3Norwegian BRAGEFY 1959 (MDAP). Ex TRIUMPH (MSF 323, comm. 3 Feb 1944, decomm. 29 Aug 1955), ex HMS ESPOIR (BAM 23). Begun for the UK under Lend Lease, to USS TRIUMPH 23 Jan 1943. Conversion by NSY Charleston ord 18 Aug 1959 under MDAP, begun 1 Dec 1959, completed 8 Jan 1961. Transferred 1 Feb 1961 in Norwegian source. Sold to Norway 1975. Accommodation ship for naval school Jan 1978, target for Penguin missiles from Jun 1984, the damaged hulk was sunk as a torpedo target for KOBBEN class subs Dec 1991 off Skarberget in the Tysfjord.
5Norwegian ULLERFY 1960 (MDAP). Ex SEER (MSF 112, comm. 21 Oct 1942, decomm. 11 Mar 1955). Conversion to Coastal Minelayer begun as OSP by the Norwegian Navy at Horten in Sep 1960 and completed in Sep 1962, being transferred 15 Dec 1962. Sold to Norway 1975. Stricken 1978, sunk as torpedo target off Kristiansand 13 Sep 1988.

Page Notes:
Compiled: 4 Oct 2021
© Stephen S. Roberts, 2021
Special sources: NARA: RG 19 Entry UD 1024-S Box 1 (Code 434 workshop unit files).