The Lapwing-class minesweeper, often called the Bird class, was an early "AM-type" oceangoing minesweeper of the United States Navy. Seven ships of the class were commissioned during World War I, and served well into the 1950s. A number were refitted to serve as ocean-going tugs, salvage vessels, seaplane tenders, or submarine rescue ships.


USS Lapwing (AM-1) and other ships of the squadron anchored in the Hudson River, off New York CityUSS Lapwing (AM-1) and other ships of the squadron anchored in the Hudson River, off New York CityClass overviewOperators United States NavySucceeded byRaven-class minesweeperBuilt1917–1919In commission1918–1953Planned51Completed49Cancelled2Lost16Retired35Preserved0NotesAlthough technically not "preserved", USS Auk has been abandoned in Venezuela since 1962 and is still there in its original configuration albeit partially sunk.General characteristicsTypeMinesweeperDisplacement840 long tons (853 t)Length187 ft 10 in (57.25 m)Beam35 ft 5 in (10.80 m)Draft15 ft (4.6 m)PropulsionReciprocating engineSpeed14 knots (16 mph; 26 km/h)Complement75Armament2 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 caliber guns and/or 2 × .30cal machine gunsThe propulsion system consisted of 2 Babcock & Wilcox 200psi boilers and a 1,400shp Harlan and Hollingsworth triple expansion reciprocating steam engine.