The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia

Robert H. Smith Class, U.S. Minelayers

Photograph of USS Adams a John H. Smith-class minelayer

Tonnage	2610 tons standard displacement
Dimensions	376'6" by 40'10" by 14'2" 114.45m by 12.45m by 4.32m
Maximum speed	36.5 knots
Complement	336
Armament	3x2 5"/38 dual purpose guns 2x4, 2x2 40mm Bofors AA guns 8 20mm Oerlikon AA guns 4 depth charge throwers 2 depth charge tracks 120 mines
Machinery	2-shaft G.E.C. geared turbines (60,000 shp) 4 Babcock & Wilcox boilers
Bunkerage	504 tons fuel oil
Range	3300 nautical miles (5300 km) at 20 knots
Sensors	SC air search radar SG surface search radar

On 24 June 1944, Admiral Nimitz recommended that a dozen Allen M. Sumners be converted to offensive minelayers, which had proven valuable in the Solomons . The recommendation was adopted and twelve ships were converted on the ways. This required omitting the torpedo tubes, three of the 20mm antiaircraft guns, and two depth charge throwers to compensate for the top weight of the mines. As it turned out, none were actually employed in the minelayer role.

None were lost in the Pacific.

Units in the Pacific:

Lindsey	completed 1944-8-20 (San Pedro)
Gwin	completed 1944-9-20 (San Pedro)
Aaron Ward	completed 1944-10-28 (San Pedro)
Henry A. Wiley	arrived 1944-11
Shannon	arrived 1944-11-27
Robert H. Smith	arrived 1944-11-28
Thomas E. Fraser	arrived 1944-12-7
Harry F. Bauer	arrived 1944-12-7
Adams	arrived 1944-12-20
Shea	arrived 1944-12-22
J. William Ditter	arrived 1945-1
Tolman	arrived 1945-1-20

References

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