AM-66 Bullfinch
The US Navy was woefully short of minesweepers at the beginning of World War II. A number of trawlers were acquired by the US Navy in 1940 and converted to minesweepers. Collectively these units are not technically a "class" in that their specifications vary.
Bullfinch (AM-66), ex-Villanova, was launched 27 October 1937 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; acquired by the Navy 6 July 1940; commissioned in ordinary 16 August 1940; overhauled and fitted out at Norfolk Navy Yard, and placed in full commission 22 October 1940.
The second Cardinal (AM-67) was built in 1937 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine, as Jeanne D'Arc; acquired by the Navy 19 August 1940; and commissioned 2 November 1940.
Catbird (AM-68) was built in 1938 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston S.C., as Bittern, acquired by the Navy 12 August 1940; and commissioned 27 November 1940.
The third Curlew (AM-69) was built in 1938 by Charleston Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Charleston S.C., as Kittiwake; purchased by the Navy 6 August 1940, and commissioned 7 November 1940.
The first Flicker (AM-70) was built in 1937 by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, as Delaware; acquired by the Navy 9 August 1940; and commissioned 26 October 1940.
The fourth Albatross (AM-71)-a diesel-powered trawler built for the Red Diamond Trawling Corp. was laid down as Illinois at Bath, Maine, by the Bath Iron Works on 25 October 1930 launched on 19 March 1931, acquired by the Navy on 9 August 1940; renamed Albatross on 14 August 1940; and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on 8 November 1940.
Bluebird (AM-72) was launched 7 April 1931 as Maine by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; purchased by the Navy 13 August 1940; converted into a minesweeper at General Ship and Engine Works, Inc., East Boston Mass.; and commissioned 22 November 1940.
The first Grackle (AM-73), formerly merchant fisherman Notre Dame, was launched in 1919 by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; acquired 16 September 1940, and commissioned 4 February 1941.
Gull (AM-74), formerly trawler Boston College, was built by the Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, in 1928; acquired 30 August 1940; converted at the Boston Yards of the Bethlehem Steel Corp. 30 September 1940; and commissioned 3 December 1940.
The first Kite (AM-75) was built in 1928 as beam trawler Holy Cross by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine; purchased by the Navy from H. C. Trawling Corp. 11 September 1940; and commissioned 3 March 1941.
The second Linnet (AM-76), formerly Georgetown, was built by Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, in 1928, acquired by the Navy 4 September 1940; and commissioned 3 March 1941.
Goldfinch (AM-77) was built as trawler Fordham in 1929 by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and purchased by the Navy 18 September 1940 from F. J. O'Hara & Sons, Inc., Boston, Mass. She was converted to a minesweeper at Bethlehem Atlantic Yard, Boston, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 30 January 1941.
Stella Polaris, a yacht acquired by the Navy 27 October 1940, was classified a minesweeper; designated AM-78 on 2 November 1940, and named Goldcrest 14 November 1940. However, she was reclassified a coastal yacht 23 November 1940, redesignated PYc-4, and renamed Agate 19 December 1940.
Goshawk, formerly Penobscot, was built by the Foundation Co., Savannah, Ga., 1919, and purchased by the Navy from W. F. Henningsen of Seattle, Wash., 3 September 1940. She was converted to a minesweeper by Winslow Marine, Winslow, Wash., and commissioned at Seattle, Wash., 3 March 1941. Her designation was changed to AM-79 from AMc-4 on 25 November 1940.
The first Goldcrest (AM-80), a steel merchant trawler built as Shawmut in 1928 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass., was acquired by the Navy from the Massachusetts Trawling Co. of Boston; and commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard 15 May 1941.
Chaffinch (AM-81) was built in 1928 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., Quincy, Mass., as Trimont; purchased by the Navy 29 November 1940; and commissioned 16 July 1941.
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