Soviet minesweeper T-116

T-116 was a minesweeper of the Soviet Navy during World War II and the Cold War. She had originally been built as USS Arcade (AM-143), 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-116; she was never returned to the United States. The ship was renamed several times in Soviet service and was scrapped on 4 May 1963. 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.

Career

Arcade was laid down on 8 June 1942 at Tampa, Florida, by the Tampa Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 7 December 1942; sponsored by Miss V. Zoll; and completed on 26 August 1943. She was transferred to the Soviet Navy that same day as T-116. She was never returned to U.S. custody.

On 5 September 1944, while on patrol in Kara Sea, T-116 attacked and sunk with depth charges the German submarine U-362.

In Soviet service the ship was renamed TB-23 on 11 July 1956, and SM-7 on 23 October 1962. The ship was eventually scrapped on 4 May 1963.

Due to the ongoing Cold War, the U.S. Navy was unaware of this fate. They had reclassified the vessel as MSF-143 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.