The USS Frigate Bird (AMS/MSC-191) was a Bluebird-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy, primarily tasked with clearing coastal minefields. Laid down on July 20, 1953, by Quincy Adams Yacht Yard in Quincy, Massachusetts, she was launched on October 24, 1953, with Mrs. Matthew Gushing serving as her sponsor. The vessel was commissioned on January 13, 1955, and initially designated AMS-191 before being reclassified as MSC-191 on February 7, 1955. Constructed as a Bluebird-class minesweeper, the USS Frigate Bird was designed for versatility in mine-clearing operations along the coast. She joined the Atlantic Fleet's Mine Force stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, in February 1955. Her service was characterized by a broad program of training and experimental operations along the U.S. East Coast and in the Caribbean, which continued through 1960. These activities included amphibious exercises near Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, ocean current surveys, testing of new buoys, and participation in various fleet exercises. From July 1958, the vessel was homeported at Little Creek, Virginia, and frequently operated with the Operational Development Force, contributing to mine warfare development. Notably, the USS Frigate Bird also participated in the Cuban Blockade in 1962, reflecting her strategic importance during the Cold War era. In 1971, the ship was transferred to Indonesia and renamed Pulau Atang (M-721). She was struck from the US Naval Vessel Register on May 1, 1976, and was subsequently disposed of for scrap through the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service on September 1, 1976. The USS Frigate Bird’s service exemplifies Cold War-era mine warfare and U.S. Navy operational testing, contributing to maritime safety and strategic operations during her active years.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.