The USS Nightingale (AMc-149) was a coastal minesweeper constructed in 1940 by the Western Boat Building Company in Tacoma, Washington. Originally built as Saint Francis, a wooden-hulled, diesel-powered purse seiner, she was designed for commercial fishing rather than military use. The vessel was acquired by the U.S. Navy from her owner, Hubert Ursich, on December 13, 1941, shortly after the outbreak of World War II, and was initially designated YP–150. She performed district patrol duties in the Seattle, Washington area under this designation. In December 1941, she entered the Western Boat Building Co. yard for conversion into a minesweeper. On April 22, 1942, she was renamed Nightingale and commissioned as AMc-149 on May 21, 1942. Her primary role was to remove mines from strategic waterways to ensure the safe passage of Allied vessels. Her wooden hull and diesel powerplant were characteristic of minesweeper design, enabling her to operate effectively in shallow coastal waters and minimize the risk of triggering mines. By July 10, 1944, she was reclassified as IX-177, after her minesweeping equipment was removed. During this period, she transitioned from a minesweeper to perform utility services, notably supporting the Torpedo Training Program at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Her service continued in the Puget Sound area until she was placed out of service on December 3, 1945, at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. She was struck from the Navy List on February 7, 1946, and subsequently returned to the War Shipping Administration for disposal. The USS Nightingale’s service highlights the versatile use of civilian vessels converted for wartime needs, particularly in coastal defense and training operations during WWII. Her wooden hull and diesel engine exemplify typical minesweeping design, contributing to the safety of naval and merchant shipping in the Pacific theater.

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