The Life and Death of a Minesweeper

For nearly 50 years, the USS Inaugural (AM-242) stood as a testament to both the valor of its crews and the proud history of the United States Navy. Commissioned on December 17th, 1943, the Inaugural quickly became a valuable asset during World War II, participating in mine-sweeping operations and escort duties in the Pacific theater, including the fierce Battle of Okinawa. Armed with a formidable array of weaponry and manned by a crew of 104 officers and enlisted personnel, the Inaugural played a significant role in securing the waters surrounding Japan and the united nation of Korea, earning two battle stars for its service.

Built by the Willamette Iron and Steel Corporation in Portland, Oregon, the Admirable-class minesweeper had a displacement of 625 tons, a length of 184 feet 6 inches, and a top speed of 14.8 knots. Armed with two depth charge launchers, two depth charge tracks, a 3"/50 caliber gun, four 40 mm guns, and six 20 mm guns, the Inaugural was well-equipped to face the challenges of mine-clearing and anti-submarine warfare.

Following its service in World War II, the USS Inaugural was decommissioned in 1946 and became part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet of surplus American naval vessels, where it would remain for nearly 22 years. Then, in 1968, the vessel was plucked from that fleet of mothballed ships and submarines and designated a floating museum on the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. For many years, it served as a beloved landmark beneath the North leg of the Gateway Arch, and it was declared a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service on January 14th, 1986.

Unfortunately, the fate of the USS Inaugural took a devastating turn for the worse due to the Great Flood of 1993. Driven by surging floodwaters, the ship tore free of its moorings and sank in the Mississippi River, coming to rest on its port (left) side in a shallow area. Efforts to salvage the vessel and restore it to its former glory proved to be challenging despite the creation of fundraisers on its behalf and widespread support for its restoration. Despite having the backing of the public, veterans' groups, and other organizations, local officials somehow lacked the political will to save or remove the Inaugural, thus causing the possibly toxic wreck to remain embedded in the Mississippi River, rusting away as a poignant reminder of its storied past even as many fought in vain to rescue it.

On August 7th, 2001, the designation of the USS Inaugural as a National Historic Landmark was rescinded, marking the end of an era for the once-proud minesweeper. Today, the rusted hulk of the ship lies as a partially submerged memorial, a silent witness to the passage of time, the often-destructive power of nature, and the naked political ineptitude of those charged with safeguarding both the waterway and the general public. While the physical presence of the Inaugural is rapidly disappearing, the enduring legacy of the ship remains an exemplary one, that of honoring the finest military traditions through service, courage, and sacrifice.