two 3,532shp General Motors 12-278A diesel electric drive engines, Westinghouse single reduction gear, two shafts.
Speed
18 knots
Complement
105
Armament
one 3in (76mm) dual purpose gun mount, two single 40 mm gun mounts, six single 20 mm gun mounts, one depth charge thrower (Hedgehogs), four depth charge projectiles (k-guns), two depth charge tracks
USS Ruddy (AM-380) was an Auk-classminesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the North Americanruddy duck.
Launched in Chickasaw, Alabama in 1945
Ruddy was laid down on 24 February 1944 by the Gulf Shipbuilding Corp., Chickasaw, Alabama; launched 29 October 1944; sponsored by Mrs. John Zerolis; and commissioned 28 April 1945.
World War II-related operations
After commissioning, Ruddy completed her shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay and on 27 July 1945 departed Little Creek, Virginia, for Okinawa. Arriving at Buckner Bay on 27 September, she escorted the Miiilicoma (AO-73) to Sasebo, Japan, destroying two Japanese mines with rifle fire en route. During October, she returned to the Ryukyus; but, on the 26th, was back off Sasebo to commence sweeping operations in the "Klondike" area off that port. Detached on 8 November, she provided courier service; supervised YMS operations; and carried freight between Okinawa and Sasebo until the new year. In January 1946, she again conducted minesweeping operations.
Recommissioned on 12 March 1952,Ruddy joined Mine Division 72 and, after 11 months of mine warfare exercises and fleet amphibious operations, sailed from Long Beach, California, in February 1953 for the Korean combat zone. She arrived off Wonsan, North Korea, on 15 March and began operations as a unit of the U.N. Blockade and Escort Force. On the 16th, she transported prisoners of war to Yo Do, then returned to Wonsan, whence, for 6 weeks, she conducted inshore patrols.
Ruddy in Pacific Ocean swells, February 1955
Three weeks of voyage repairs at Yokosuka, Japan, followed. She then steamed for Inchon and patrol duty along the peninsula's western coast. In mid-July, Ruddy returned to Japan.
Eighteen days later, while still in transit, she was redesignated MSF-380.
Ruddy and Zeal arrived at Sasebo, Japan, on 16 February and, until 10 August, Ruddy ranged from Japan to the Philippines in operations with the U.S. 7th Fleet. Accompanied by Zeal she returned to Pipeline Pier at Long Beach, California, on 5 September and resumed local operations.
For other ships with the same name, see BAP Gálvez.
On 1 November 1960 she was transferred, under the terms of the Military Assistance Program, to the government of Peru. The minesweeper served as the Gálvez in the Peruvian Navy until 1975 when she was transferred to the Peruvian Coast Guard. The minesweeper was retired in 1981.
