USS Venture (AM-496/MSO-496) was an Aggressive-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the task of removing mines that had been placed in the water to prevent the safe passage of ships.

On 3 August 1959, the minesweeper departed Charleston, bound finally for Panama City, Florida, her new home port.

For the remainder of her career, the minesweeper and her division mates helped that institution to develop mine warfare countermeasures.

In addition, she periodically provided services in support of the research and developmental work carried on by the Operational Test and Evaluation Force—frequently in conjunction with the Naval Mine Defense Laboratory mentioned above—and by the Naval Ships Research and Development Center (popularly dubbed the David Taylor Model Basin) located at Carderock, Maryland.

Back in Panama City by mid-June, the minesweeper resumed duty assisting in the development of mine countermeasures.