USS Energy (AM-436/MSO-436) was an Agile-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

USS Energy (MSO-436) underway in July 1954.
History
United States
NameUSS Energy (AM-436)
Laid down3 March 1952
Launched13 February 1953
Commissioned16 July 1954
ReclassifiedMSO-436, 7 February 1955
Decommissioned5 July 1977
HomeportLong Beach, California
Fateloaned to Philippines, 5 July 1972
Acquiredreturned from Philippines, 1 July 1977
Stricken1 July 1977
FateSold for scrapping, 8 July 1977
History
Philippines
NameBRP Davao del Norte (PM-91)
Acquired5 July 1972
Fatereturned to U.S., 1 July 1977
General characteristics
Class and typeAggressive-class minesweeper
Displacement620 tons
Length172 ft (52 m)
Beam36 ft (11 m)
Draught10 ft (3.0 m)
Speed16 knots
Complement74
Armamentone 40 mm mount

The second ship to be named Energy by the Navy, AM-436 was launched 13 February 1953 by J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Co., Tacoma, Washington; sponsored by Mrs. A M. Baughman; and commissioned 16 July 1954. She was reclassified MSO-436, 7 February 1955.

West Coast operations

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Energy arrived at Long Beach, California, her home port, 3 August 1954, and began training along the U.S. West Coast with the ships of her division. On 4 January 1956, she sailed for her first tour of duty in the western Pacific Ocean, taking part in a large-scale exercise off Iwo Jima, and training with ships of the Republic of Korea and the Republic of China. Returning to her home port 15 June, she cruised along the west coast during the next year, conducting sonar tests and serving as a schoolship for officers of the Thailand Navy.

Matsu and Quemoy crisis

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During her second deployment to the Far East, from 2 June 1958 to 6 January 1959, Energy stood by at Taiwan during the crisis brought on by renewed Communist shelling of Quemoy and Matsu, and again exercised with Chinese minesweepers.

Specialized mine warfare exercises and general training with the fleet along with visits to various west ports, were conducted through the summer of 1960. For the remainder of the year Energy served with the U.S. 7th Fleet in Far East waters.

Final status

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Energy after transfer to the Philippines in the 1970s as Davao del Norte (PM 91).

Energy was loaned to the Philippine Navy as Davao de Norte 5 July 1972. Energy was later returned and stricken 1 July 1977, she was subsequently sold for scrapping on 8 July 1977.

References

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