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USS ''Cormorant'' (AM-40) 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. ''Cormorant'' was launched 5 February 1919 by Todd Shipbuilding Corp., New York City; sponsored by Miss M. E. Vellaire; and commissioned 15 May 1919, Lieutenant J. R. McKean in command. == North Sea mine clearance == Based on Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, ''Cormorant'' joined in the dangerous and exacting task of clearing the North Sea minefields between 22 August 1919 and 1 October. On towing duty, she called at Devonport, Brest, Lisbon, Ponta del Gada, Azores, and Bermuda before returning to Staten Island 19 November 1919 for the Fleet Review in the North River. == U.S. East Coast operations == For the next year and a half, she operated along the east coast and in the Caribbean, joining in maneuvers and military simulations, as she towed targets, acted as tender, and carried mail for the Fleet. Between 23 September 1920 and 27 December 1920, she was in ordinary without a crew at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for repairs, returning then to full commission. On 5 February 1921 ''Cormorant'' arrived at Washington, D.C., for experimental work under the Bureau of Ordnance. For the next six years she operated almost exclusively in the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay testing mine weapons and devices, on occasion going to Newport, Rhode Island, on this duty. Early in 1927 she served for a period of two months as station ship in the Virgin Islands, but experimental mine work continued to be her primary duty. In 1928 she again served in the Virgin Islands for two months, and in 1932, was at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a month to tow targets. Several times in 1933 she steamed to Pensacola, Florida, in connection with experimental mineplanting and sweeping. Similar duty continued through 9 December 1942. On 1 June 1942 she was reclassified ''AT-133''. == World War II Atlantic Theatre operations == Between 18 January and 19 May 1943, ''Cormorant'' gave tug services at Guantanamo Bay to destroyers in training there, and after calling at Charleston, South Carolina, for repairs in June, sailed north to Reykjavík, Iceland, for salvage duty until 13 October. On 7 December she arrived at Falmouth, England, which was to be her base during the months of training and preparation for "Operation Overlord", the invasion of Normandy. As masses of men and shipping accumulated in English ports, ''Cormorant'' gave the essential tug, towing, and salvage services that amphibious operations demand. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「USS Cormorant (AM-40)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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