USS Harlequin (AM-365) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic during World War II. She was decommissioned in May 1946 and placed in reserve. While she remained in reserve, Harlequin was reclassified as MSF-365 in February 1955 but never reactivated. In October 1962, she was sold to the Mexican Navy and renamed ARM DM-20. From 1976–1978 she was converted to an oceanographic research vessel and renamed ARM Oceanográfico (H02) around the same time. In 1993 she was renamed ARM General Pedro María Anaya (A08). In the late 1990s, she was again renamed, this time to ARM Aldabaran (BE02), as a school ship. As of 2007[update], Aldebaran remained in active service with the Mexican Navy.
 ARM Aldabaran (BE02) seen in 2006.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USS Harlequin (AM-365) |
| Builder | Willamette Iron and Steel Works, Portland, Oregon |
| Laid down | 3 August 1943 |
| Launched | 3 June 1944 |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Mary M. Doig |
| Commissioned | 31 August 1945 |
| Decommissioned | 27 May 1946 |
| Reclassified | MSF-365, 7 February 1955 |
| Stricken | 1 May 1962 |
| Fate | Transferred to Mexican Navy, 2 October 1962 |
| History | |
 Mexico | |
| Name | ARM DM-20 |
| Acquired | 2 October 1962 |
| Refit | converted to oceanographic research vessel, 1976–1978[1] |
| Renamed | ARM Oceanográfico (H02), c. 1978[1] |
| Renamed | ARM General Pedro María Anaya (A08), 1993[1] |
| Renamed | ARM Aldabaran (BE02), after April 1999[1] |
| Status | in active service, as of 2007[update][1] |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Admirable-class minesweeper |
| Displacement | 650 long tons (660 t) |
| Length | 184 ft 6 in (56.24 m) |
| Beam | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Draft | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Complement | 104 |
| Armament |
|
| Service record | |
| Part of: |
|
U.S. Navy career
editHarlequin was launched 3 June 1944 by Willamette Iron and Steel Works, Portland, Oregon; sponsored by Mrs. Mary M. Doig, whose husband and son were reported missing in action and who also had another son, a brother, and nine nephews in the Navy. She commissioned 28 September 1945. Reporting to San Pedro, California, for shakedown 19 October, Harlequin remained there until 29 November, when she sailed south, reaching New Orleans, Louisiana, 15 December. Harlequin sailed to Orange, Texas, 2 April 1946 and decommissioned there 27 May. While she remained in reserve, Harlequin was reclassified MSF-365 on 7 February 1955. Harlequin was struck from the Navy List on 1 May 1962, and later, on 2 October 1962, sold to Mexico.
Mexican Navy career
editThe former Harlequin was acquired by the Mexican Navy in October 1962 and renamed ARM DM-20. From 1976–1978 she was disarmed and converted to an oceanographic research vessel; she was renamed ARM Oceanográfico (H02) around this same time. In 1993, she was renamed ARM General Pedro María Anaya (A08). Some time after April 1999, she was rearmed and converted to a school ship (Spanish: barque escuela) and renamed ARM Aldabaran (BE02).[1]
As of 2007[update],[1] Aldebaran remained in active service with the Mexican Navy. The vessel was later sunk to create an artificial reef. This reef is a popular dive spot for tourists.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Wertheim, Eric, ed. (2007). "Mexico". The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Systems (15th ed.). Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 478. ISBN 978-1-59114-955-2. OCLC 140283156.
- ^ Cancun, Endless Tours (11 August 2010). "Endless Tours Cancun: C-58 Minesweeper Wreck Site - Advanced Diving Attraction".
This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.- NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive - Harlequin (MSF 365) - ex-AM-365
