USS Inaugural (AM-242)

The fleet minesweeper USS "Inaugural" (AM-242) was launched on October 1 1944, at the Winslow Marine Railway and Shipbuilding Corporation of Winslow, Washington, and was commissioned on 30 December 1944, with Lieutenant J. H. Pace in command.

The fleet minesweeper was one of many support ships designed to service and protect larger naval vessels operating in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Typically, the minesweeper detected and removed mines before the rest of the fleet arrived, thereby ensuring safe passage for the larger ships. Their job was essential to the safety and success of U.S. naval operations in the Pacific during World War II. The "Inaugural" was of the "Admirable"-class, the largest and one of the most successful classes of U.S. minesweepers ordered during World War II. These minesweepers were also employed as patrol and escort vessels.

Operations

Following shakedown off the California coast, "Inaugural" sailed on 14 March 1945 for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived eight days later. For the next two months, the minesweeper performed patrol and escort duties between Hawaii and the islands of the western Pacific. She was at Saipan on 22 May and departed that day with a convoy bound for Okinawa, site of the last and largest amphibious operation of the tough Pacific war. After a voyage enlivened by several attacks on suspected submarines, the convoy reached Okinawa on 30 May 1945.

During the desperate struggle for Okinawa, "Inaugural" patrolled the seas around the island group, often firing at enemy planes as Japanese aircraft made a suicidal effort to stop American ground forces by destroying their support from the sea. Except for the period 19 through 24 July, when the ship put to sea to ride out the great typhoon, "Inaugural" remained in the dangerous waters around Okinawa until 30 August 1945.

With the war then over, she steamed to the waters around Japan and Korea for vital minesweeping operations that were a necessary prelude to occupation. She swept the approaches to Jinsen, Korea, in September, and later cleared mines in waters off Nagasaki and Sasebo, Japan. "Inaugural" proceeded to Okinawa where she received needed equipment 14 - 24 October, and then returned to the important minesweeping operations around the Japanese home islands.

The veteran minesweeper sailed on 24 December for the United States, via Saipan and Pearl Harbor, and arrived at San Pedro, California, on 7 February 1946. Sailing again on 11 March, she proceeded to Galveston, Texas, and decommissioned there on 9 September 1946. "Inaugural" entered the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, Texas Group, where she remained until struck from the Navy List on 1 March 1967 and sold. She was reclassified MSF-242 on 7 February 1955.

"Inaugural" had performed its duties with distinction. By the end of its career, the vessel had cleared eighty-two mines and was awarded two battle stars for service during World War II.

Museum ship

In 1968, "Inaugural" was relocated to St. Louis to serve as a floating museum. The vessel was designated as a National Historic Landmark on January 14, 1986, as one of two surviving "Admirable"-class minesweepers used in the Pacific during World War II.

In August 1993, during flooding of the Mississippi River, "Inaugural" broke loose from its moorings at the Gateway Arch. The ship suffered a breach in its hull, took on water, and rolled on its side. It remained in that position and partially submerged for some time. Plans to salvage the wreck in one piece and restore it were not feasible. The ship was determined a total loss, and was salvaged for scrap metal and museum exhibition purposes. Despite the announcement that the ship was to be scrapped, it is still sitting on the Missouri side of the river.

The Landmark designation of "Inaugural" was withdrawn on August 7, 2001 because it had ceased to meet the criteria for designation.

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