USS Gypsum Queen (SP-430) was a tugboat acquired by the United States Navy during World War I. She was assigned to the French coast as a minesweeper, as well as a tugboat to provide assistance to disabled Allied ships. Performing this dangerous work, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Brest, France, and sunk, sending 15 crew members to their deaths.

History
Union Navy Jack United States
NameUSS Gypsum Queen
NamesakeA former name retained
OwnerJ. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City
BuilderDialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey
Laid downdate unknown
Completed1890
Acquiredby the Navy, September 1917
Commissioned4 December 1917 at New York City
Decommissionedsunk on 28 April 1919
Stricken1919 (est.)
FateSunk after striking a rock near Armen Light House off Brest, France, 28 April 1919
General characteristics
TypeTugboat
Displacement361 long tons (367 t)
Length135 ft (41 m)
Beam27 ft (8.2 m)
Draft14 ft 5 in (4.39 m)
Speed14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Armament1 × 3 in (76 mm) gun, 2 × .30 in (7.6 mm) machine guns

Constructed in Camden, New Jersey

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Gypsum Queen — a sea-going tug — was built by Dialogue & Company, Camden, New Jersey in 1890, acquired from her owners, J. B. King Transportation Co. of New York City in September 1917; and commissioned on 4 December 1917 at New York City.

World War I service

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Turned over to the 3d Naval District, Gypsum Queen was fitted out for overseas service at New York Navy Yard and subsequently served in French ports as a towing vessel and a minesweeper.

Sinking

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While returning from rendering assistance to minesweepers foundering off the coast of France, Gypsum Queen struck a rock near Armen Light House off Brest on 28 April 1919 and sank with a loss of two officers and 13 men.

References

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