USS ''Willet'' (AM-54) was a ''Lapwing''-class minesweeper commissioned by the United States Navy for service after World War I. ''Willet's'' task was to clear mines from minefields laid in combat areas by enemy forces. ''Willet'' (Minesweeper No. 54 ) was laid down on 19 May 1919 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched on 11 September 1919, sponsored by Miss Caroline Chantry, the daughter of Comdr. A. J. Chantry, CC; and commissioned on 29 January 1920.

World War I-related operations

After brief service with the Atlantic Fleet Train ''Willet'' was decommissioned on 29 May 1920 and simultaneously transferred, on loan, to the United States Shipping Board.

World War II operations

She operated with the civilian firm of Merritt, Chapman, and Scott through World War II. (During the 1920s and 1930s, she was based at the Merritt, Chapman, and Scott salvage depot in New York City before being shifted to

Key West, Florida Key West ( es, Cayo Hueso) is an island in the Straits of Florida, within the U.S. state of Florida. Together with all or parts of the separate islands of Sigsbee Park, Dredgers Key, Fleming Key, Sunset Key, and the northern part of Stock Isla ...

, from which point she operated during World War II.)

Reclassified as salvage vessel

Classified as a salvage vessel on 13 September 1941 and simultaneously redesignated ARS-12. ''Willet'' operated in the

Caribbean The Caribbean (, ) ( es, El Caribe; french: la Caraïbe; ht, Karayib; nl, De Caraïben) is a region of the Americas that consists of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (some surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and some bordering both the Caribbean Se ...

and Gulf of Mexico through the end of hostilities. She assisted stranded or grounded vessels, fought fires on burning ships, and escorted coastwise convoy runs.

Post-war activity

Declared surplus to naval needs on 1 December 1947, ''Willet'' was struck from the Navy list on 5 December 1947. Although listed as "disposed of" as of 6 July 1948 subsequent records indicate that the ship lay berthed at the Navy Net Depot at

Melville, Rhode Island Melville is a census-designated place (CDP) in the towns of Middletown and Portsmouth in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States. It lies along the shore of Narragansett Bay. The population of the CDP was 1,320 at the 2010 census. The CDP i ...

, into the late fall of 1948. She was berthed in a shallow water anchorage not normally used by active vessels and served as a

breakwater Breakwater may refer to: * Breakwater (structure), a structure for protecting a beach or harbour Places * Breakwater, Victoria, a suburb of Geelong, Victoria, Australia * Breakwater Island Breakwater Island () is a small island in the Palme ...

protecting other ships of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet berthed at Melville. On 2 November 1948, the erstwhile minesweeper and salvage vessel was delivered to her purchaser, Joseph Demaso, of Miami, Florida, and scrapped soon thereafter.

References

External links

NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Willet (ARS 12) - ex-AM-54
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warbler Lapwing-class minesweepers Ships built in Philadelphia 1919 ships World War II auxiliary ships of the United States Lapwing-class minesweepers converted to rescue and salvage ships