Photo via Peterson Builders.
United States Ship Avenger (MCM-1) was the lead ship in a class of ‘mine sweepers’, the MCM stood for Mine Counter-Measure. Built and launched at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, construction began 03JUN1983, commissioned on 12SEP1987.
A total of 14 MCMs were built between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. Apparently, as of 2021 there are still eight in operation; Chief, Devastator, Dexterous, Gladiator, Patriot, Pioneer, Sentry, and Warrior.
The wooden structure of USS CHAMPION (MCM-4), typical of the Avenger class. 08MAY1985, photo via Marinette Marine Corporation.
The Avenger class mine-sweepers are fiberglass-sheathed, wooden-hull ships, using sonar and video systems to identify mines, deploy a mine-detonating device to remotely explode mines, and can also conduct what is considered ‘conventional’ minesweeping activities.
MCM-1’s official plaque. Notice it states the launch was 05JUN1985, this does not jive with official records, or photos that are dated 15JUN1985.
The following photos are from the undeclared/unofficial Cold War period:
Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Pre-launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Sliding down the launchways. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Launch. Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Photo via Peterson Builders, 15JUN1985.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Engine room (main machinery room). Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 14JUL1987.
Gussied up for commissioning. Peterson Builders’ photo is dated 12SEP1987.
Waiting for the crowd. Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 12SEP1987.
Commissioning, 12SEP1987. Photo via Peterson Builders.
Wisconsin politicians, a contractor executive, and a USN official, get a personal tour of the newly commissioned USS Avenger. Photo via Peterson Builders, taken 12SEP1987.
USS Avenger was decommissioned on 30SEP2014. It is now in Reserve status for the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The U.S. Navy (USN) plans to replace the remaining MCMs with Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). However, on 28MAY2021, the USN reported that President Biden’s 2022 budget request is complicating the LCS effort.
On 26JUL2021, the USN’s Mine Countermeasures Squadron-7 (based in Japan) reported they had conducted ‘intense availabilities’ (USN talk for major overhaul) on USS Warrior (MCM 10), USS Chief (MCM 14) and USS Pioneer (MCM 9), at a cost of “more than $31.4 million” (I’m assuming that is for all three ships, the report didn’t specify. If that is so that is way cheap compared to the cost of one new build ship.). The overhaul of the three Avenger class ships included maintenance on the main reduction gears, diesel generators, diesel engines, and rudders. Additionally, the shafting was removed and re-insulated on all three platforms.
USS Bonhomme Richard (LH-6): 
STEEL INFERNO, ONE YEAR LATER, SABOTAGE & LACK OF LEADERSHIP=DEATH OF A SHIP!
River Gun Boats:
ROMÂNIA