USS Goldfinch (AM-77)

USS Goldfinch (AM-77) was a minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Goldfinch was built as trawler Fordham in 1929 by Bath Iron Works of Bath, Maine, and purchased by the Navy 18 September 1940 from F. J. O'Hara & Sons, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts. She was converted to a minesweeper at Bethlehem Atlantic Yard, Boston, and commissioned at Boston Navy Yard 30 January 1941, Lt. Comdr. W. R. McCaleb in command.

World War II service
Goldfinch was first assigned to Inshore Patrol Force, 1st Naval District, then shifted her operations to Chesapeake Bay, where she conducted minesweeping operations off Norfolk and Yorktown, Virginia. Reporting to Newport, Rhode Island, 1 July, Goldfinch joined Squadron 9 for minesweeping operations ranging from Argentia, Newfoundland, to Norfolk. She became flagship of the Squadron 29 September at Portland, Maine. Transferred to duty in Newfoundland, Goldfinch based her operations during the period 1 December 1942 to May 1944 at Fort McAndrew and Argentia, Newfoundland, constantly patrolling for mines to protect merchant shipping and warships alike as they plied those waters.

Decommissioning
She arrived Boston June 1944 for conversion to civilian use as a commercial trawler and decommissioned 18 August 1944. Delivered to the Maritime Commission, Goldfinch was sold 9 January 1946 to the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Commission of New York.