Wreck of USS YMS-48

Philippines / Central Luzon / Alas-asin /
 Second World War 1939-1945, military, shipwreck, draw only border, United States Navy, minehunter / minesweeper (ship)
USS YMS-48 was a YMS-1 Class Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper built at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Queens, New York in June 1941 and was commissioned into US Navy service in July 1942. Deployed to the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War, YMS-48 and her crew began their war ageist the Japanese Empire in the Southern Solomon Islands, based at Espiritu Santo and Tulagi.

Working her way North with the US and Allied forces, the YMS-48 provided minesweeping and convoy escort services in and around the numerous island chains of the South Pacific through late 1944, when she likely received orders to report to Manaus to join with an Allied convoy bound for the Philippines. Continuing her minesweeping work through the Philippine archipelago, the YMS-48 joined with Naval forces preparing for their part in The Battle for the Recapture of Corregidor.

As the naval bombardment of Corregidor commenced on February 13th, the YMS-48 and her crew risked accurate Japanese fire to sweep inshore waters for mines or other obstructions to allow landing craft and fire support ships to get to the shores. As the guns of Corregidor seemingly fell silent after almost 24 hours of continuous bombardment from the assembled Cruisers, Destroyers and aircraft, the YMS-48 and several other minesweepers plowed headlong into the straits around the island to clear it of mines and allow other naval craft to pass. As she made her way towards the Northern edge of the island, the YMS-48 came under heavy fire from Japanese shore batteries on the island, and before fire support could be called in the wooden Minesweeper was decimated by several rounds which tore cleanly through her unarmored hull, ruptured her fuel tanks and destroyed her engines.

As the ship slowed to a halt, the rain of shells continued until US ships began shelling the island once again. Risking a similar fate to that of the YMS-48, the Destroyer USS Fletcher came alongside and removed the crew of the YMS-48 while under heavy fire, taking a shell in her forward ammunition magazines which would have surely destroyed the ship had it not been for the actions of one of her crew. Once the Captain of the YMS-48 was aboard, the Fletcher withdrew and sent several 5-inch rounds into the burning wreck of the YMS-48, sinking her at this location on February 14th, 1945.

For her actions on the date of her loss, YMS-48 was awarded her first and final Battle Star for World War Two service.

www.navsource.org/archives/11/19048.htm
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Coordinates:   14°24'0"N   120°33'0"E

Comments

  • LOOKING FOR ANY INFORMATION AND PHOTOS OF MY UNCLES SHIP THAT WAS SUNK ON FEB 14TH 1945-------- WOULD LIKE TO GET A CREW LIST ALSO-------THANK YOU
  • Hi MS TETO WAIS - My Grandfather's younger brother Ken Mills was killed on that ship. I have a photo of Ken in his Navy uniform. Looks like he might be standing in front of palm tree/bushes - where ever this photo was taken and before they reached Manila. Doug Mills dougm@torchlake.com
  • my dad was a crew member he was an electricians mate Joseph Fasano dont know what his rank was at the time
  • My name is Doug Mills and I do have a photo of *Ken Mills 1928 - 1945 who was a sailor killed on the USS - YMS 48. The photo of Ken is him standing in front of a palm bush and in his sailor's uniform - taken before he was killed - where this was ? I can only think - Hawaii? Doug Mills - nephew of Ken Mills - douglasmills@frontier.com
  • My Dad, Len Nielsen, was a crewman aboard the YMS-48 when it was hit off Corregidor on Valentine's Day 1945. He was a Seaman First Class, Gunners Mate, and his job was loading the single forward 3 inch/ 48 rifle. His good friend Bill Smothers was also killed during this attack. Bill was the ship's cook, and his battle station was passing the 3 inch shells up from the ammo magazine next to the galley to the crew on deck. He was killed when a Japanese shell exploded in the galley. They had been sweeping the channel between Corregidor and Bataan Peninsula when they were shelled. Conrad Nielsen, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • My Dad, Len Nielsen, was a crewman aboard the YMS-48 when it was hit off Corregidor on Valentine's Day 1945. He was a Seaman First Class, Gunners Mate, and his job was loading the single forward 3 inch/ 48 rifle. His good friend Bill Smothers was also killed during this attack. Bill was the ship's cook, and his battle station was passing the 3 inch shells up from the ammo magazine next to the galley to the crew on deck. He was killed when a Japanese shell exploded in the galley. They had been sweeping the channel between Corregidor and Bataan Peninsula when they were shelled. Conrad Nielsen, Honolulu, Hawaii
  • Would love more details on this. My grandfather was on this ship. Melvin Frelund, mason city, iowa
  • Thanks for sharing. My name is Robert Williams Jr. My father, Robert Williams, Sr. was also a crewman aboard the YMS-48. He often spoke about February 14, 1945 and I've heard him mention the name Bill Smothers, as well. He told us about the ship coming under fire by Japanese shore batteries while sweeping the bay. They being hit with artillery both Corregidor and Bataan, simultaneously. He also talked about the ship's wooden hull and witnessing the burning and how The Fletcher was ordered to complete The YMS-48's destruction. My father's rank was Stewart's Mate first class. During that time in history, The Navy allowed African American sailors to only be Stewart Mates. He survived the attack and was rescued by crewmen aboard The USS Fletcher. He was awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received as a result of enemy action. Robert Williams Jr. Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • I am writing about my dad's story aboard the YMS 329 in the same battle as the 48. It's Executive Officer Lieut R. Lawrence wrote a journal and included this descr iption of the 48's circumstances. Thought you might find it interesting. Who was the Captain of the 48. I think it was Lieut H. A. Kaiser. Lawrence wrote in Feb 1945, "In between invasions, at Subic, another YMS joined our unit, YMS 48. The ship was older in the relatively safe position of last-in-line. Not this ambitious newcomer. Outranking our captain by a scant two months, The YMS-48 captain decided to take over command of the unit. Our Captain Ballew felt like he was demoted but we were not disappointed at all. Experience had taught us that when all Hell breaks loose while we’re sweeping ahead of an invasion force, the lead YMS is an odds-on favorite to take the worst beating. As Number 2 in the line we no longer were the first YMS to enter unswept mine fields close to shore, a tempting target for Jap shore batteries. We also had a shade more room to maneuver i.e. to use survival tricks-of-the-trade learned while sweeping under enemy attack. We were delighted to have someone else taking over as drum major for our YMS parade. We did not enjoy being Number 2 for long. When we began to sweep Mariveles harbor on the tip of Bataan Peninsula, large caliber Jap guns on Corregidor began to pound us. At 1359 the YMS 48, directly ahead of us was hit by the Japanese shore batteries and set on fire. A few days later, the newcomer’s ship YMS 48 was sunk off Mariveles, Philippines and under trying circumstances the 329 willy-nilly resumed command of the YMS unit. " There is also more written in the book, "Bobbers With Tails" by Dwight Emrick about the sinking but it misidentifies the ship as the YMS 329 instead of the 48.
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This article was last modified 8 years ago