Cove 1958
Cove 1963
| No | Name | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comm | Fate |
| MSI1 | Cove | Bellingham SY | 2.1957 | 8.2.1958 | 11.1958 | stricken 7.1971 | |
| MSI2 | Cape | Bellingham SY | 4.1957 | 5.4.1958 | 2.1959 | research vessel 1970-1985, stricken 6.1992 |
|
Displacement standard, t |
197 |
|
Displacement full, t |
232 |
|
Length, m |
32.0 wl 33.5 oa |
|
Breadth, m |
7.00 |
|
Draught, m |
2.40 |
|
No of shafts |
1 |
|
Machinery |
2 General Motors diesels |
|
Power, h. p. |
595 |
|
Max speed, kts |
12.5 |
|
Fuel, t |
diesel oil |
|
Endurance, nm(kts) |
1000(9) |
|
Armament |
1 x 1 - 12.7/90, magnetic and mechanical minesweeping gear |
|
Electronic equipment |
radar |
|
Complement |
30 |
Project history: These inshore sweepers (MSI) were intended to replace the MCs. Design work began in 1955, one author describing them as an attempt to till the gap in shallow-water capability left by the deficiencies of the minesweeping boats (MSB). They were to carry MSB-size magnetic sweep gear and MSC-size moored sweep gear on a hull capable of limited ocean passages, and of overseas passage in an emergency - essentially the requirements levied on the original YMS of the Second World War. The advent of gas turbine generators permitted them to incorporate the basic sweeping capability of the MSC289 class in a much smaller hull. Of fourteen ships built, two were retained by the US Navy and the rest transferred (SCB 136 type). There were also five units of an improved Cove class (MSI 15 type), capable of mine-hunting as well as of sweeping. All were built in 1965-67 specifically for transfer abroad.
Modernizations: None.
Naval service: No significant events.
© Ivan Gogin, 2015