The USS Merganser (AMS-26 / MHC-47) was a YMS-1-class minesweeper built specifically for the United States Navy during World War II. Constructed by Stadium Yacht Basin in Cleveland, Ohio, she was laid down on January 9, 1944, launched on June 29, 1944, and commissioned on November 11, 1944. Her initial configuration designated her as YMS-417, and she was assigned to the 1st Naval District, operating along the northern coast of New England until July 20, 1945. Following this, she set sail for Pearl Harbor to join the Pacific Fleet, arriving in Hawaii in October 1945. She was then stationed with the Philippine Sea Frontier and later transferred to the Minesweeping Squadron of the Pacific Fleet in January 1946. During her early service, she undertook minesweeping operations in the western Carolines, Marshalls, and Marianas, focusing on waters near Truk and Guam. She was redesignated AMS-26 and named Merganser on February 17, 1947. Throughout the early 1950s, Merganser was based in Guam, where she conducted minesweeping exercises, anti-submarine warfare patrols, and target towing. In September 1950, she deployed to Sasebo, Japan, to support United Nations efforts during the Korean War. Notably, on October 1, 1950, she assisted survivors after her sister ship Magpie was sunk by mines, evacuating five severely injured personnel. Merganser actively participated in minesweeping operations along Korea’s coasts throughout the conflict and post-armistice, she also served as an observer for violations of the armistice. In 1954, she was converted to a Coastal Minesweeper (AMCU-47) and later designated MHC-47 in 1955, focusing on harbor defense and sonar training along the U.S. West Coast. She continued her service until her decommissioning on April 2, 1958, after over 13 years of active duty, and was struck from the Naval Vessel Register in May 1959. The vessel was sold in May 1960. Throughout her service, USS Merganser earned nine battle stars for her distinguished contributions during the Korean War, marking her as a significant vessel in U.S. naval minesweeping history.

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