- Item
- 1954-03-20
Part of Richards Studio Photographs
The ship's crew and officials were all on deck for the commissioning ceremony for the USS Endurance, # 435, on March 20, 1954. Broadcast over radio station KTNT, Rear Admiral A. M. Bledsoe was the principal speaker. Built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., the Endurance was the first AM-type minesweeper to pass her acceptance trials on her first try. This was the first formal commissioning of a Navy vessel in Tacoma at the Tacoma Naval Station since World War II. Command of the vessel was turned over to Lt. L. E. Martin. The Endurance joined the Pacific Fleet in California following its shakedown cruise. The 171-foot Endurance was the first of nine minesweepers of this class built by Martinac in Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-54, B-4, TNT 3-19-54, p. 1)
Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;