The Lucid’s three “Aggressive Class “ MSO sister ships that were built right here in Stockton in the early 1950’s – at the old Colberg Boat Works.

The MSO is a little known and poorly documented, extremely interesting facet of naval history. The USS Lucid and the Minesweeper Museum is dedicated to telling the story of the mine-sweeping men and their wooden ships, the last all wooden US Naval ships to navigate the oceans.

Hull # 432/USS DYNAMIC

Of the 101 MSO’s built, only a very few remain in the hands of foreign countries and all of the U.S. ships have been sold and/or scrapped. USS Lucid (MSO-458) was received as a donation from a private individual, in honor of the 50,000 men who served on MSOs. Lucid MSO-458 Foundation and the Minesweeper Museum are currently located in the Sacramento delta region on Bradford Island. Lucid is open to the public as the restoration progresses.

Hull # 434/USS EMBATTLE

It should be noted that Lucid is the last salvageable MSO in the U.S. She had all machinery and equipment removed during a previous scrapping operation. The hull, compartmentation and superstructure remain intact and the oak frame and southern pine and fir planking is in remarkably good condition considering her history since her naval service. Work is underway to restore and retrofit her and bring her back to her previous glory.

Hull # 433/USS ENGAGE

6 thoughts on “About the USS Lucid”

  1. Hi I’m looking for a record check or ships/ captains log of the crew members of a family member of mine or anyone who worked on a mine sweeper between 50-55 who might of worked with my great grandfather Omer Duval? And help would be amazing. He passed today of a 2 year battle of cancer

  3. I am also a plank owner of the LUCID. I was part of the pre-commissioning detail and commissioning crew in 1955 in Algiers, LA.After commissioning, we went to Key West, Havana, Cuba, transited the Panama Canal to Long Beach, CA, our first actual homeport. I was a QM3 and stayed on board until July 1956, when I reenlisted and went back to the East Coast. Twenty one years later, in Charleston, SC, I retired from the Navy as a CWO3 Bos’n. LUCID brings back a lot of memories.

  5. Hello my name is Tad Smith. My father, Ted Smith, served two tours on the Lucid in Vietnam during parts of 1963, 1965, and 1966. Some of my fondest memories were listening to my father talking about the time he spent on the ship. My dad was on of the Radio Men on the ship. He was a RM2 while serving on the Lucid. If the site administrators would be interested I am sure that I can get some pictures of the Lucid from my mom that my dad took while serving on the Lucid.

  6. I am an original plank owner of the USS Lucid. I boarder her in Charelston SC where she was built, provisioned her in Algiers LA (accross the Mississippi river from New Orleans), then crewed her thru the Pananma Canal to Long Beach. Then onto Korea and patroled the Pusan straight’s for mines. I was an Electronic Technician, along with George Winnnick, til my honorable discharge upon her retun to Long Beach in June of 1961.

    She was proud ship and I’m very very very happy to you retuning her to her original beauty. Thank you for your hard work and consideration to the grand ole lady.

    Ed Yablonski ET2
    (703) 298-1134
    edyab@comcast.net

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