USS Goldfinch (AM-77)

USS Goldfinch (AM-77) was a minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Goldfinch was built as the trawler Fordham in 1930 by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and purchased by the Navy in 1940. She served until 1944 and was sold into merchant service in 1946, regaining her previous name. Fordham was sold in 1949 and renamed Titus. In 1960, she was sold to Canada and renamed Beater. She was wrecked on 7 October 1962 during Hurricane Daisy.

Description

The ship was 132 feet 4 inches (40.34 m) long, with a beam of 24 feet (7.32 m) and a draft of 9 feet 8 inches (2.95 m). She was powered by a 500BHP diesel engine driving a single screw propeller, which could propel the ship at 10 knots (19 km/h).

History

Fordham was built by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, United States. She was launched on 3 January 1930. The ship was built for F. J. O'Hara & Sons, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts.Fordham was acquired by the United States Navy on 19 September 1940. She was converted to a minesweeper at Bethlehem Atlantic Yard, Boston, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 30 January 1941, Lt. Comdr. W. R. McCaleb in command.