Soviet minesweeper T-115

T-115 was a minesweeper of the Soviet Navy during World War II and the Cold War. She had originally been built as USS Apex (AM-142), an Admirable-class minesweeper, for the United States Navy during World War II, but never saw active service in the U.S. Navy. Upon completion she was transferred to the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease as T-115; she was never returned to the United States. The ship was eventually scrapped on 1 June 1966. Because of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy was unaware of this fate and the vessel remained on the American Naval Vessel Register until she was struck on 1 January 1983.

History
United States
NameUSS Apex (AMc-119)
BuilderTampa Shipbuilding Company
ReclassifiedAM-142, 21 February 1942
Laid down8 June 1942
Launched7 December 1942
Completed17 August 1943
FateTransferred to the Soviet Union, 17 August 1943
ReclassifiedMSF-142, 7 February 1955
Stricken1 January 1983
History
Soviet Union
NameT-115
Acquired17 August 1943
RenamedAydar, 1 September 1955
FateScrapped, 1 June 1966
General characteristics
Class and typeAdmirable-class minesweeper
Displacement650 tons
Length184 ft 6 in (56.24 m)
Beam33 ft (10 m)
Draft9 ft 9 in (2.97 m)
Propulsion
Speed14.8 knots (27.4 km/h)
Complement104
Armament

Career

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Apex was laid down on 8 June 1942 at Tampa, Florida, by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 7 December 1942; sponsored by Mrs. J. L. Chancey; and completed on 17 August 1943. She was transferred to the Soviet Navy that same day as T-115. She was never returned to U.S. custody.

In Soviet service she was renamed Aydar on 1 September 1955. She was eventually scrapped on 1 June 1966.

Due to the ongoing Cold War, the U.S. Navy was unaware of this fate. They had reclassified the vessel as MSF-142 on 7 February 1955, and kept her on the American Naval Vessel Register until she was struck on 1 January 1983.

References

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  This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

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