USS Lance (AM-257) was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Atlantic Ocean.

History
United States
NameUSS Lance (AM-257)
BuilderAmerican Ship Building Company
Laid down26 October 1942
Launched10 April 1943
Commissioned4 November 1943
Decommissioned28 August 1945
FateTransferred to the Republic of China, 28 August 1945
Stricken12 March 1948
History
Taiwan
NameROCS Yung Sheng
Acquired28 August 1945
Decommissioned17 July 1972
FateUnknown
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
Service record
Part of: US Atlantic Fleet (1944-1946)

Lance was as laid down 26 October 1942 by American Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, Ohio; launched 10 April 1943; sponsored by Ens. Josephine D. Cunningham, W-V (S) USNR; commissioned 4 November 1943.

World War II North Atlantic operations

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After shakedown along the U.S. East Coast, Lance arrived Trinidad, British West Indies, 17 January 1944 for patrol and escort duty. From January 1944 until March 1945, Lance operated as an escort for convoys, making nine regular runs from Recife, Brazil, to Trinidad. The minesweeper also engaged in ASW training with aircraft operations designed to improve the defensive capability of the Navy.

Lance departed Trinidad 23 March, and steamed toward Miami, Florida, arriving the 28th. She operated as a school ship, out of the Naval Training Center, Miami.

Decommissioning

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She was transferred to China, under the Lend-Lease Act on 28 August. She served the Chinese Navy under the name Yung Sheng. She was transferred outright on 7 February 1948, struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 March 1948, and decommissioned on 1 July 1972. Fate is unknown.

References

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

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