View source for USS Terror (CM-5)

{{Short description|US naval vessel (1942–1956)}}
{{other ships|USS Terror}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
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|Ship image= Uss Terror CM5.jpg
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1956}}
|Ship name=USS ''Terror''
|Ship namesake=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Philadelphia Navy Yard]]
|Ship laid down=3 September 1940
|Ship launched=6 June 1941
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=15 July 1942
|Ship decommissioned=6 August 1956
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship struck=1 November 1970
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=*MM-5, 7 February 1955
*MMF-5, October 1955
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|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=4 [[battle star]]s (WWII)
|Ship fate=Sold for scrapping, 1971
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{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship type=[[Minelayer]]
|Ship displacement={{convert|5875|LT|t|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship length={{convert|454|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|60|ft|2|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|19|ft|7|in|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2 × General Electric double-reduction geared steam turbines, 2 shafts, {{convert|22000|shp|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship speed={{convert|25.3|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range=
|Ship complement=481
|Ship armament=*4 × [[5"/38 caliber gun]]s
*4 × quad [[1.1"/75 caliber gun]]s (replaced by 4 × quad [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm]] guns in May 1943)
*14 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm]] guns
*900 x Seamines (600 assembled, 300 ready to assemble)
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'''USS ''Terror'' (CM-5)''' was a fleet [[minelayer]] of the [[United States Navy]], the only [[minelayer]] of the fleet built specifically for and retained for minelaying during World War II (two sister ships, the [[USS Catskill (LSV-1)|''Catskill'']] and the [[USS Ozark (LSV-2)|''Ozark'']], were converted into LSVs [Landing Ship, Vehicle] before commissioning).<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-22 |title=Distribute Lethality, One Mine at a Time |url=https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2022/june/distribute-lethality-one-mine-time |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=U.S. Naval Institute |language=en}}</ref>

She was laid down on 3 September 1940 by the Philadelphia Navy Yard; launched on 6 June 1941; sponsored by Mrs. [[Ralph Austin Bard|Ralph A. Bard]]; and commissioned on 15 July 1942.

==Service history==

===North Africa, 1942===
Following fitting out and shakedown, ''Terror'' arrived at [[New York City|New York]] on 30 October 1942 to prepare for her first large-scale operation. With Task Group 38.3, the new minelayer sortied the harbor on 2 November and set her course for [[North Africa]]. [[Squall|Rain squalls]], strong winds, and heavy seas forced the convoy to alter its course, but its goal remained the same — the support and reinforcement of [[Operation Torch]].

At dawn on 14 November, ''Terror'' parted company with the convoy and, escorted by a single destroyer, made her way at {{convert|20|kn|km/h}} to the newly taken port of [[Casablanca]]. Sunken ships added to the congestion of the harbor as ''Terror'' fueled {{USS|Miantonomah|CMc-5|3}} and supplied that vessel with mines. ''Terror'' then prepared for her primary mission at Casablanca and the task for which she had been designed, minelaying. Her sortie was delayed on the morning of the 16th due to continued congestion in the harbor. Later, as ''Terror's'' crew made ready to get underway, they discovered that a large, "old fashioned" anchor with a heavy chain was fouling the ship's starboard anchor chain. After correcting this problem, ''Terror'' got underway in company with two minesweepers and, in short order, began laying the minefield which would protect the ships in the harbor. When completed, shortly before dark the same day, the minefield provided [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] shipping a protected channel entrance to Casablanca, stretching seven miles (11&nbsp;km) out from El Hank Light, a formidable barrier for any marauding enemy [[submarine]] to penetrate. Steaming at {{convert|16|kn|km/h}}, ''Terror'' made her way back to the port just as night fell.

On the following day, despite the obstacles imposed by rudimentary receiving facilities on shore and an extreme shortage of [[Lighter (barge)|lighters]], ''Terror'' unloaded her cargo of depth charges and ammunition, using a salvaged tank lighter and several wooden [[barge]]s. Having accomplished her mission, ''Terror'' departed Casablanca and rendezvoused with a convoy bound for the east coast of the [[United States]]. Strong head winds, heavy seas, and the slowness of the convoy made it difficult for ''Terror'' to keep her station. Off the [[Virginia Capes]], ''Terror'' was detached from the convoy and made for the [[Naval Weapons Station Yorktown|Naval Mine Depot]], [[Yorktown, Virginia|Yorktown]]. She arrived on 30 November to commence overhaul and training.

===Yorktown, 1942&ndash;1943===
In the months that followed, ''Terror'' operated out of Yorktown, making frequent voyages to the [[Chesapeake Bay]] for exercises and occasionally stopping at [[Norfolk, Virginia|Norfolk]] for repairs or overhaul. Often students from the Mine Warfare Training Facility came on board for instruction tours. Meanwhile, members of ''Terror's'' crew, when not attending classes ashore, participated in drills, training, and exercises in gunnery, mine warfare, and damage control. In February, the minelayer assisted {{USS|Nuthatch|AM-60|3}} as that vessel tested the Mark 10 "[[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]]" off Yorktown. After receiving additional antiaircraft guns in May, ''Terror'' participated in tactical exercises in the Chesapeake Bay through the summer.

===Pacific, 1943&ndash;1945===
Late in September, she began loading mines in preparation for her departure from the [[Atlantic]] coast. At Norfolk, she rendezvoused with Task Unit 29.2.5; and, on 2 October, she got underway for the [[Panama Canal|Canal]] Zone and [[Pacific]] ports. On the morning of 19 October, she passed under the [[Golden Gate Bridge]] and anchored in [[San Francisco Bay]]. The next day, she departed the west coast and steamed via [[Pearl Harbor]] to the [[Tuvalu|Ellice Islands]].

She arrived at [[Funafuti]] on 9 November, unloaded pontoon barges, and took on [[fresh water]]. During the nearly three weeks she remained at Funafuti, ''Terror'' supported the many small craft which surveyed and mined the approaches to the [[atoll]], supplying them with provisions, water, repairs, and medical services. At the same time, she assisted in the conversion of a 1,500-ton covered lighter into a [[barracks]] for a construction battalion, sending skilled personnel to speed the work and providing water and mess facilities for the battalion until the task was completed. On the 17th, ''Terror's'' gunners fired on the enemy for the first time when [[Japan]]ese planes bombed the runway on Funafuti. The Japanese raiders dropped 40 bombs near the [[Airport|airstrip]], causing a fire which burned for an hour. Another alert followed in the afternoon, but no further action occurred. ''Terror'' laid mooring buoys in the anchorage before getting underway for Hawaii on 28 November. Early in December, she loaded mines and gear at Pearl Harbor; then set her course for [[Tarawa Atoll|Tarawa]], where she provided heavy equipment and mines for mine details. At night, searchlights from shore combed the dark, spotting enemy planes in an attempt to foil the persistent Japanese raiders.

On [[Christmas|Christmas Day]], ''Terror'' got underway. She delivered mines and heavy equipment to units at [[Espiritu Santo]] and [[Guadalcanal]] before arriving at [[Butaritari|Makin Island]] on 18 January 1944. The minelayer anchored in the [[lagoon]] while her boats surveyed the passes in the [[reef]]. She then readied a self-propelled barge to mine the channels. She departed Makin on the 28th and proceeded independently to Tarawa where she embarked Mine Detail 19. On 31 January 1945, she got underway for Pearl Harbor and took on passengers for transportation to [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]. After a three-day stay, she departed the west coast on 21 February with over 500 passengers on board, accommodated on a temporary wooden deck constructed over the tracks on the mine deck. She discharged her passengers at Pearl Harbor on the 26th; then steamed on to [[Majuro]], where she arrived on 10 March.

During the rest of March and into April, she conducted minelaying operations in the [[Marshall Islands]] before getting underway for the [[Hawaiian Islands]] on 22 April. There, she underwent repairs, loaded mines, and participated in gunnery exercises before departing on 24 May. In the following months, she carried ammunition, mines, and bombs to the Marshalls and [[Mariana Islands]], returning once to Pearl Harbor to load ammunition. On 17 August, she departed [[Oahu]]  — this time setting her course for the west coast. ''Terror'' arrived at San Francisco on the 24th for drydocking and overhaul. On 9 September, she got underway carrying a cargo of ammunition. After loading mines and minesweeping gear at Pearl Harbor, she steamed to [[Ulithi]] where she began defensive mining operations.

On 15 October, ''Terror'' was transferred from [[ServRon]] 6 to Minecraft Pacific Fleet. During October and November, she carried cargoes to the Marianas, [[Caroline Islands|Carolines]], and [[Admiralty Islands|Admiralties]]. On 25 November, she entered the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor for repairs and alterations to accommodate the staff of Commander, Minecraft Pacific Fleet. On 6 January 1945, ''Terror'' assumed duty as the [[flagship]] of [[Rear Admiral]] Alexander Sharp.

For two weeks, ''Terror'' conducted exercises out of Pearl Harbor. Then, on 22 January, she got underway and proceeded via [[Enewetak|Eniwetok]] to the Carolines. At Ulithi, ''Terror'' supplied mines and gear to minecraft preparing for the invasion of [[Iwo Jima]]. She then steamed on to [[Tinian]] to act as tender for minecraft in that second staging area. On 13 February, she departed the Marianas setting her course for the [[Ogasawara Islands|Volcano Islands]].

====Iwo Jima====
At 07:17 on 17 February, ''Terror'' arrived in the fire support area off the east coast of Iwo Jima. Pre-assault bombardment and minesweeping were well underway when fire from guns on the cliff lined shore began to interfere with minesweepers operating close inshore, north of the eastern beaches. ''Terror'' closed the shore to {{convert|10000|yd}} and, for 20 minutes, added her five-inch (127&nbsp;mm)  gunfire to the bombardment in an attempt to aid the small craft. Nevertheless, the formidable barrage put out by the enemy began to take its toll as first {{USS|Pensacola|CA-24|3}} and then {{USS|Leutze|DD-481|3}} suffered hits. Shortly after noon, damaged landing craft began coming alongside the tender for assistance. ''Terror'' acted as a casualty evacuation vessel for minesweepers and small craft acting in support of underwater demolition teams. Soon her medical facilities were severely taxed. One after another of these small craft came alongside to transfer their wounded and to receive assistance in repairing their vessels. ''Terror'' continued her duties off Iwo Jima until 1835 on 19 February when she headed for the Marianas.

====Okinawa====
On 21 February, she transferred battle casualties to an [[United States Army|Army]] [[hospital]] at [[Saipan]]; then steamed to Ulithi, where she arrived on the 23rd. At that base, she serviced and supplied minecraft staging for the assault on [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]]. She arrived off [[Kerama Retto]] on 24 March to act as flagship and tender for minecraft. ''Terror'' operated off Kerama Retto until the morning of the 29th when she anchored in that island's harbor. There, despite the constant danger of [[kamikaze]] attacks, she performed her dual role as tender and flagship. Her entire complement labored long hours to maintain the supply of water, oil, gear, and ammunition required by minecraft in the area. At the same time, her resources were further strained by the duties imposed by her status as flagship.

On the morning of 2 April 1945, Japanese planes penetrated the harbor. ''Terror'' took two of the attackers under fire and witnessed the splashing of one plane only {{convert|600|yd}} away. In the following days, ''Terror'' — responding to warnings to be prepared for attacks by Japanese aircraft, swimmers, and suicide boats — stationed special night sentries on deck and in a picket boat to intercept any ingenious attackers. Predicted mass air attacks materialized on 6 April when Japanese planes pounded the harbor at Kerama Retto for four hours, coming in on ''Terror'' from all quarters and keeping her gunners busy. The tender joined other ships in downing two Japanese planes and furnished rescue boats, clothing, and treatment for the survivors of ''LST-447'' and SS ''Logan Victory''.

Throughout April, ''Terror'' remained at Kerama Retto providing logistic services and receiving casualties from ships hit by kamikazes. Combat air patrols kept raiders outside the harbor most of the time; but, on 28 April, {{USS|Pinkney|APH-2|3}} — anchored nearby — was hit by a suicide plane. ''Terror'' fired on the enemy aircraft, sent boats to ''Pinkney's'' aid, and treated many casualties. During the long and arduous month of April, ''Terror's'' crew went to general quarters 93 times, for periods ranging from seven minutes to six and one-half hours.

====Kamikaze attack, 1 May 1945====
Minutes before 04:00 on 1 May 1945, as ''Terror'' lay at anchor in Kerama Retto, a kamikaze dove toward the ship. Darting through a hole in the smoke screen and coming in on ''Terror's'' port beam, the attacker banked sharply around the stern, then came in from the starboard quarter so rapidly that only one of the minelayer's stern guns opened fire. As the plane crashed into the ship's communication platform, one of its bombs exploded. The other penetrated the main deck before it, too, exploded. The aircraft's engine tore through the ship's bulkheads to land in the wardroom. Fire flared immediately in the superstructure but was soon controlled and, within two hours, was extinguished. Flooding of the magazines prevented possible explosions, and no engineering damage occurred, but the kamikaze had exacted its toll. The attack cost ''Terror'' 171 casualties: 41 dead, 7 missing, and 123 wounded.

The following day, the battered ship was moored to {{USS|Natrona|APA-214|3}} for emergency repairs. She got underway on the 8th to rendezvous with a convoy bound for Saipan. Since a survey of the vessel revealed that her damage was too great to be repaired in a forward area, ''Terror'' steamed via Eniwetok and Pearl Harbor to the west coast. She reached San Francisco on 1 June 1945, unloaded ammunition, and then began her overhaul.

===Post-war, 1945&ndash;1947===
Her repairs completed, she departed San Francisco Bay on 15 August - the day of the [[surrender of Japan]] - and steamed for [[Korea]] via the Hawaiian Islands, Saipan, and Okinawa. Moored in [[Nakagusuku Bay|Buckner Bay]] on 16 September, she weathered a furious [[Typhoon Ida (1945)|typhoon]]. Pounding against {{USS|Patoka|AO-9|3}} put a few holes in ''Terror's'' side, but she was soon repaired. On 9 October, while still at Okinawa, she emerged undamaged from [[Typhoon Louise (1945)|another typhoon]] which beached or wrecked over 100 vessels at Buckner Bay and Unten Ko.

In December, {{USS|Panamint|AGC-13|3}} replaced ''Terror'' as flagship for Minecraft Pacific Fleet, and the veteran of many Pacific campaigns again crossed the Pacific to arrive at San Francisco in February. She made one voyage to Pearl Harbor in March, then returned to the west coast.

''Terror'' remained there until February 1947 when she departed San Francisco and steamed through the Panama Canal to embark the Commander, Minecraft Atlantic Fleet, at [[San Juan, Puerto Rico|San Juan]] late in February. Following exercises in the [[Caribbean]], she operated out of east coast ports until July 1947 when she arrived at the [[Charleston Navy Yard]] for inactivation.

===In reserve and decommissioning, 1947&ndash;1956===
During the [[Korean War]], she was placed in service in reserve; and, on 7 February 1955, she was redesignated a fleet minelayer (MM-5). Her designation symbol was changed to MMF-5 in October 1955, and she was decommissioned on 6 August 1956. In 1971, her hulk was sold to the [[Union Minerals and Alloys Corporation]], of New York City.

''Terror'' received four [[Service star|battle stars]] for [[World War II]] service.

== References ==
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/t/terror-iii.html}}
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.navsource.org/archives/11/0605.htm NavSource Online: Mine Warfare Vessel Photo Archive: USS ''Terror'']

{{WWII US ships}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Terror (CM-5)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:1941 ships]]
[[Category:Unique minelayers of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:World War II mine warfare vessels of the United States]]