Tanker Helmets worn by the USN 'Guinea Pigs'

[Salvage Sailor]

Yes, that's right, worn by the Navy during 'Guinea Pig' minesweeping operations in Japan, 1946-1947

 

Lt. Comdr. E. G. Rifenburgh, of New York, skipper of the Joseph Holt, stands beneath the eight-ball mine insignia on the ship’s funnel. The eight ball indicates the vessel is part of Mine Division 8 of the Navy’s mine force. The “coat of arms” is a guinea pig behind a mined eight ball

 

LOOKING FOR TROUBLE (Details on why they were wearing Tanker Helmets)

 Volunteer-Manned Ships of ‘Guinea Pig Squadron’ Ply Japanese Waters Seeking Deadly American Mines Menacing U. S. Vessels

 

THE CREW of the SS Joseph Holt stand in wheelhouse of their ship as they cruise Japanese bays and channels looking for “live” pressure mines hidden beneath the surface. The compartment is padded with mattresses and the men wear tank helmets to protect them from shock of possible explosions. (Associated Press wire photo.) Left to right, William H, Hill, S2/c., 26, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Albin C. Scheppiner, QM2/c, 23, of Erie, PA., and Harvey L. Hunter, RM2/c, 21, of Vancouver, Wash.

(US Navy photo) 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

The YAG-37 Project

 

'...In late 1945, several sacrificial U.S. vessels were tasked to develop a pressure wave over the mines that had the same characteristics of targeted vessels. The Navy used a troop ship (USS Marathon [APA-200]), a Victory cargo ship (SS Pratt Victory), and a Liberty cargo ship (SS Joseph Holt) for the “Guinea Pig Squadron” to sweep the seaways off Japan. A crew of 22 volunteers wore tank helmets to protect their heads while standing on mattresses or wooden gratings. The ship’s ceilings were padded with mattresses for added protection. The engines and boilers were operated by remote control from the main deck and flying bridge to avoid crew members having to work down below in the ship’s hull....'

[mikie]

30 minutes ago, Salvage Sailor said:

The YAG-37 Project

 

'...In late 1945, several sacrificial U.S. vessels were tasked to develop a pressure wave over the mines that had the same characteristics of targeted vessels. The Navy used a troop ship (USS Marathon [APA-200]), a Victory cargo ship (SS Pratt Victory), and a Liberty cargo ship (SS Joseph Holt) for the “Guinea Pig Squadron” to sweep the seaways off Japan. A crew of 22 volunteers wore tank helmets to protect their heads while standing on mattresses or wooden gratings. The ship’s ceilings were padded with mattresses for added protection. The engines and boilers were operated by remote control from the main deck and flying bridge to avoid crew members having to work down below in the ship’s hull....'

Well of course! Tanker helmets! That didn’t even occur to me! I’ll blame the concussion I got a while back from getting hit on the head by a crow. He didn’t mean it. He just got excited for some peanuts I’ve been giving him. I wish I was wearing one of those helmets at the time! Thanks everyone for pointing that out. 
Mikie

[Salvage Sailor]

The Guinea Pigs

USS WAXWING (AM-389)

Auk class minesweeper in service 1945 to 1957

USS WAXWING (AM-389)

Linebacker size 12" x 8" jacket patch circa 1946 to 1953

 

Postwar Occupied Japan - "Guinea Pig" minesweeping operations 1946-1947

WAXWING transited the Panama Canal; and, on 2 January 1946, the minesweeper arrived in Pearl Harbor where she spent a month before heading on for Japan. She arrived at Sasebo, Japan, on 24 February and conducted operations through most of the year. During the period from May through July, WAXWING observed and supported Japanese sweeping operations codenamed "Guinea Pig."

 

-->>GUINEA PIG MINESWEEPING OPERATIONS - LOOKING FOR TROUBLE  (There is some very interesting forgotten Naval history in these articles)

 

Korean War

Following the outbreak of Korean War hostilities, the vessel was reactivated and recommissioned on 19 March 1952 at San Diego, California. From May to November, the ship conducted type training between Long Beach, California, and San Diego, California. On 1 December 1952, WAXWING sailed for the Far East. Her minesweeping duties took her to both coasts of Korea and were broken by periods of rest and upkeep in Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan. These operations continued until 9 June 1953 when the ship sailed for home. She reached Long Beach, California, on 8 July 1953.

 

USS WAXWING Classified as AM-389 1945 to 1955

Reclassified as a Fleet Minesweeper (Steel Hull), MSF-389, 7 February 1955

Specifications:

Displacement 890 t.
Length 221' 1"
Beam 32' 2"
Draft 10' 9"
Speed 18.1 kts.
Complement 105
Armament: One 3"/50 dual purpose gun mount, two 40mm gun mounts, six 20mm gun mounts, one depth charge projector (hedgehog), four depth charge projectors (k-guns), and two depth charge tracks
Propulsion: Two 1,766shp General Motors 12-278A diesel electric drive engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear, two shafts.