Soviet minesweeper T-112

T-112 was a minesweeper of the Soviet Navy during World War II and the Cold War. She had originally been built as USS Agent (AM-139), an , 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-112; she was never returned to the United States. The ship was renamed several times in Soviet service and was finally abandoned in January 1991. Her hulk was extant as of 10 June 2007. Because of the Cold War, the U.S. Navy was unaware of the ship's status and the vessel remained on the American Naval Vessel Register until she was struck on 1 January 1983.

Career

Agent was laid down on 8 April 1942 by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co., Tampa, Florida; launched on 1 November 1942; and completed 10 July 1943. She was transferred to the Soviet Navy that same day as T-112. She was never returned to U.S. custody.

In Soviet service, the ship was renamed TB-21 on 15 October 1955; VTR-2Y on 8 March 1956; and UTS-288 on 20 April 1972. The ship was abandoned on 31 January 1991, and, as of 10 June 2007 her hulk was extant.

Due to the ongoing Cold War, the U.S. Navy was unaware of the fate of the former Agent. They had reclassified the vessel as MSF-139 on 7 February 1955, and kept her on the American Naval Vessel Register until she was struck on 1 January 1983.

References

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